The Statue of Liberty – the most potent symbol of freedom in the world – is being protected using Apollo analogue addressable fire detectors. The completion of the new fire detection systems that protect the Statue and other structures on Ellis Island, New York City, coincides with a major push by Apollo to secure more market share in the US.

“Apollo has long believed in freedom of choice in the field of fire detection, so to secure this project is particularly fitting – especially at a time when the US market is beginning to appreciate the benefits of products that use an open digital protocol,” says Tim Williams, Apollo’s Export Manager for the territory.

The Statue of Liberty and the environs of Ellis Island are important historical emblems for many. Between 1892 and 1954, approximately 12 million steerage and third class steamship passengers entered the United States through the port of New York. All would have seen the Statue as a symbol of their new life in the New World and all were legally and medically inspected at Ellis Island.

Both heritage sites have been the subject of substantial restoration. The $87 million programme to restore the Statue of Liberty began in 1984 and was completed in 1986, in time for the centennial celebrations in July. The site was closed for a time following the events of September 11 in 2001, but reopened in August 2004. The Main Building on Ellis Island reopened in 1990 after major refurbishment and is now a museum dedicated to the history of immigration and the important role that the island played during the mass migrations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Main Building is currently the only building open for public viewing and is one of nearly three dozen structures on the island.

The new Apollo-based fire detection systems are designed around the CSimon Fire System from Computrols Inc, which received UL Listing last year. The CSimon Fire System not only delivers cutting edge analogue addressable fire detection and control, but also integrates with third party devices as well as Computrols’ renowned CBAS software. Used in conjunction with Apollo fire detectors, it was more than equal to the challenge of providing fire protection for these complex sites.

“The new system integrated seamlessly and came online without a hitch,” said John J Culkin, President of C&S Building Services, the authorised dealer in charge of both installations. “The system has lived up to and exceeded the expectations of C&S and our client, The National Park Service.”

Freedom to choose
As part of its US marketing campaign, Apollo recently exhibited at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) World Safety Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, together with other companies from parent group Halma’s Fire & Security Division. Apollo teamed up with Air Products and Controls and Fire Fighting Enterprises to show potential customers just how much choice they have, because products and components from each company can be mixed and matched to develop a custom fire protection system.

US customers also have a real choice when it comes to Apollo-compatible control panels. US manufacturers Computrols Inc and Vision Systems Inc showcased their latest models at the NFPA show. In addition, a new distribution deal covering the US and Canada sees Apollo’s Series 65 and XP95 technology bundled under the ‘Summit’ brand.

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A new low-profile 12 volt relay base for Apollo’s Series 65 conventional smoke and heat detectors can be used in security applications as well as in fire systems, depending on whether non-latching or latching mode is selected.

The new base incorporates a single-pole, voltage-free changeover contact for switching ancillary equipment. When the detector changes to the alarm state, the relay is energised, causing the contact to change state. In the latching mode the contact will remain in this condition until the detector is manually reset, but in the non-latching mode the contact automatically re-sets both itself and the detector.

Designed to operate over a voltage range of 10 volts to 15 volts, the relay base is operated by the detector and must therefore be fitted with a Series 65 smoke or heat detector to function.

In common with all other Series 65 bases, the relay base allows detectors to be easily fitted without using force. By using a ‘one way only’ fit, it also eliminates the possibility of fitting a detector incorrectly.

Apollo’s series 65 conventional detector range includes ionisation and integrating ionisation smoke detectors, optical smoke detectors and heat detectors. A selection of bases and relay bases, in addition to the new 12 volt relay base, is also available.

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