Apollo Intelligent Fire Detection System Protects The Junxion, Lincoln
An intelligent fire detection system incorporating
approximately 2,000 Apollo devices has been installed to protect
The Junxion, a residential development in the heart of Lincoln. The
fire detection system was designed, supplied and commissioned by
Leader Systems of Rugby. The property is managed by The Mainstay
Group.
The specification stipulated an open protocol system for which
replacement products would be readily available. Leader Systems
recommended Apollo technology, as Systems Manager Tony Weaver
explained: "Apollo's open, digital protocol was an ideal solution
to the requirements of this site. The technology is well-proven and
products based on it are forwards and backwards compatible. This
simplifies extension of systems or replacement of detectors to
accommodate changes of use. It also makes future upgrades
logistically easier because work can be carried out in phases over
time."
The Junxion is a nine storey building designed around a central
courtyard. The first seven floors are continuous, with the eighth
and ninth occurring only at the corners of the building, creating
four "turrets". There are 99 apartments in all arranged into six
core areas, each with its own stairwell and lift access. The
development also includes four retail units on the ground floor.
Due to its town centre location, the developers were aware that the
site would prove popular as self-catering accommodation for
students from the local University. The site therefore includes
communal facilities such as a laundry and a common room.
Leader Systems provided a tailored
solution incorporating detection and software technology that would
minimise the number of unwanted alarms. "The technology in Apollo's
Discovery range of
intelligent fire detectors is particularly good for reducing
unwanted alarms," Tony Weaver says. "It enables the selection of
various sensitivity modes, so the device characteristics -
including the appropriate response - can be set according to risk
and environment whilst still remaining compliant with
standards."
Leader Systems supplied an intelligent fire detection system
based around a ten-loop Multi Alarm IFAX control panel. The panel
was specially built to meet the required capacity for each fire
zone, with 144 zones being displayed on a special repeater panel.
The system incorporates 950 Apollo Discovery smoke and temperature
detectors, almost 800 XP95 loop-powered sounders and in excess of
250 interfaces. Four Apollo Input/Output Units are provided so that
separate fire systems in the retail units can be linked in.
There are 569 bedrooms throughout the building, each with its
own smoke detector and sounder. Smoke detectors are also installed
in the communal stairways and corridors, with temperature detectors
fitted in the open plan kitchen/living areas.
The fire detection system is designed to provide phased
evacuation in the event of an alarm. An alert is raised immediately
within the apartment where an incident is detected. After a period
of three minutes, if the alert has not been cancelled, the alarm is
raised within that core. Sounders in adjacent cores are then
triggered at further two minute intervals in a 'mushroom' effect
until the whole building has been evacuated, or the management team
identify the cause of activation and take manual control of the
system.
Paul Whittingham of managing agents The Mainstay Group has been
responsible for operational matters at The Junxion since it was
first occupied. "With a fire detection system of this size and
complexity, combined with the demands of student occupants, we
expected some faults to arise. However, the incident rate in the
first year has been insignificant - well under one per cent. The
technology is proving extremely reliable."
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