Apollo fire detection technology has been provided to protect a
new and iconic addition to the skyline in Plymouth, Devon. The £36
million Roland Levinsky Building was designed by leading Danish
architects Henning Larsens Tegnestue for client University of
Plymouth. The fire detection system was supplied and commissioned
by Multi-Alarm Systems of Bristol and installed by Mitie
Engineering Services (Peninsula) Ltd.
Commenting on the contract, Apollo's regional Sales Manager Phil
Walford said: "Apollo prides itself on being at the cutting edge of
fire detection technology and providing world class solutions for
its clients. It's fantastic to be able to contribute to this
development because it is the result of international collaboration
and it provides such a modern addition to Plymouth's city
centre."
The Roland Levinsky Building is part of University of Pymouth's
strategy to concentrate its activities on a modern urban campus in
the city centre. The building is home to the Faculty of Arts as
well as open to the public through its Peninsula Arts programme of
artistic and cultural events. Facilities include lecture theatres,
a cinema, café and public art gallery as well as teaching
accommodation and office space, arranged around a four storey
atrium.
The specification called for a fire detection system designed to
L2 standards. Multi-Alarm Systems supplied equipment based on
Apollo's Discovery intelligent fire detection technology and Multi
Ifax control panels to meet these requirements.
Barrie Dunn, Senior Technical Engineer, Multi-Alarm Systems,
comments: "University of Plymouth is a longstanding customer and
they appreciate Apollo fire detection technology for three very
good reasons. Firstly, Apollo uses an open protocol, which gives
flexibility in sourcing products. Secondly, Apollo products are
forwards and backwards compatible, which makes future modifications
and maintenance much easier. Thirdly, they've used Apollo before in
other buildings around the campus and they know how reliable they
are."
The Roland Levinsky fire system includes around 460 Apollo
Discovery devices in all and interfaces with the building's UPS and
door access systems as well as the sound and light systems in the
theatre. The fire system also includes two Vesda' high sensitivity
smoke detector units and a pager system that alerts staff and deaf
students in the event of an emergency.
Special requirements included black fire detectors for
installation in the theatre and visual-only alarm devices in the
sound recording studio. The system is controlled via two Multi Ifax
bespoke panels, which were specially made with a stainless steel
finish and connected to make a seamless peer-to-peer high integrity
network, which is ideal for larger building complexes and
campus-style environments.