The new XPander range of wireless intelligent fire detectors from Apollo is designed for use where wired detectors are either impractical or undesirable. Only available to companies who have had their engineers trained by Apollo in the use of wireless detectors, the XPander was developed to enhance the capabilities of Apollo’s existing XP95 detector range. It comprises an interface, an optical smoke detector, a multisensor smoke detector, heat detector types A1R and CS, a  wireless base, a manual call point, a sounder and a sounder beacon.

Using the XPander is very simple – the devices are simply connected to an XP95-compatible control panel via an interface which is wired in the loop. No special adjustment or programming is required: once connected, the XPander devices are recognised by the control panel as another detector connected to the system. Up to 15 devices can be installed per interface, with up to five interfaces per loop.

The detectors are conventional in that they report ‘normal’, ‘fire’ or ‘fault’ states to the radio base, which transmits the information to the interface. The radio bases and signalling devices are addressable and use a pre-set analogue value to report via the XP95 protocol. The bases can also indicate if battery power is low, if a detector is dirty or been tampered with and if signal strength is low.

“The XPander range owes a lot to Apollo’s policy of listening to its customers,” says Paul Smith, Apollo’s Head of Marketing. “Apollo is now able to offer a simple solution for both existing and new systems, minimising the need for costly cables and associated disruption.”

Comments Off

The brand new website of Apollo Fire Detectors has been launched – supporting Apollo’s ambitions for growth and reflecting the new corporate identity.

With an enhanced layout and structure, the new website looks modern and fresh, is easy to navigate and contains details of Apollo’s full product range. Downloadable product literature and access to approvals certificates is also available from every page.

An advanced search function allows customers to find exactly what they are looking for in just one click and because the new website was designed deliberately without flash animation, it can be accessed on a range of devices wherever you are in the world.

Michelle Agius, Sales & Marketing Director at Apollo Fire Detectors, comments: “The new website is a fantastic addition to the Apollo offering and will be central to delivering an unrivalled experience for our customers. It offers extensive technical backup and information on the whole product range and is informative and easy to use. I am confident that it will be a popular resource with our customers.

“Over the next few months, exclusive log-in sections for Apollo’s partners and dedicated websites for it’s overseas offices will be added to the online resource – making it a truly customer facing website.”

To view the new website and try it out for yourself, please visit www.apollo-fire.co.uk .

Comments Off

Theater Marianske Lazne – a 353-seat venue 150km west of Prague in the Czech Republic – is the first European building to be equipped with Apollo’s new range of XPander wireless fire detectors.

Euroalarm Ltd, who supplied the new fire detection system, recommended XPander specifically to protect the decorative stucco walls in the theatre, which might have been damaged by hard-wired devices. The new XPander devices form part of a larger intelligent fire detection system protecting back-stage, the dressing rooms, ticket office and café.

Construction of the theatre in the spa town of Marianske Lazne began in 1865 in the neo-renaissance style. However, war in 1866 stopped all building and it was not until August 1868 – with the performance of Offenbach’s operetta “The Beautiful Helen” – that the theatre was inaugurated. During the 20th century, the theatre went through many changes, including being rebuilt with an art nouveau appearance in 1905. More recent renovations at the theatre required a fire system upgrade sympathetic to its heritage.

The client’s specification called for an appropriate fire protection response for the heritage areas of the theatre, plus a solution to nuisance alarms being caused by the multi-use nature of the building. Euroalarm was able to select the perfect Apollo products to match these differing requirements, as Vlastimil Krátký, senior engineer, fire detection systems, at Euroalarm, explains:
 
“All Apollo intelligent fire detectors use the same open digital protocol, making them forwards and backwards compatible. This makes our job so much easier, as it widens our choice of fire solutions. In this case, we were able to specify the new wireless XPander range for the heritage locations at the theatre, so we didn’t compromise the appearance of the theatre, alongside more established devices like XP95 for combating false alarms being caused by smoke during performances and steam in the café. Thanks to Apollo, we were able to offer the client the most appropriate fire detection solution for their needs.”

The new XPander range of wireless fire detectors is designed for ease of installation. Devices are connected to the fire system via an interface which is wired to the loop. No special adjustment or programming is required. Once connected, the XPander devices are recognized by the control panel simply as another detector connected to the system.

The fire detection system at Theater Marianske Lazne incorporates approximately 80 XPander and XP95 devices in all, configured around a single loop control panel and programmed to enable a one-out, all-out evacuation. It is designed to EN54 standards.

Comments Off