ADT Fire & Security is upgrading the fire alarm system at South Devon College from an analogue to digital addressable system using its latest innovation, Generation 6 Detection Technology. Based on ADT’s advanced MZX Technology, the digital system will provide triple technology detectors featuring a remote wireless link that enables two-way communication with the new 850EMT Engineering Management Tool. This will ensure that the main college building on the Paignton campus benefits from reliable and efficient programming that increases safety and reduces service changes due to the longer lifespan of the detectors.
Renowned for its mild climate and seaside location, Torbay in south-west England is an enviable place to be a student. Home to the Beacon Award winning and OfSTED “Outstanding” South Devon College, a medium sized further education college, the main campus relocated from Torquay in 2006 to its new state-of-the-art Vantage Point building situated in the nearby coastal town of Paignton, in order to provide larger and newer facilities to accommodate the growing demands.
The three-storey Vantage Point had been built for the multinational telecommunications company Nortel and contained laboratories and offices. When the College acquired the site, they set about converting it to provide classrooms, offices, studios, restaurants, workshops and training kitchens. The vast building, which also contains two receptions, is the first port of call for new students.
The college also inherited the existing fire alarm system (Minerva 80), which had been originally installed by ADT Fire & Security in 1995. The college appointed ADT to adapt the fire alarm system for use by the college, but after a few years and as a result of technical progression the analogue fire alarm system had to be upgraded. ADT’s digital addressable system and its cutting-edge Generation 6 Detection Technology will offer a faster and more advanced fire alarm technology which is critical for a large and important multi-functional building that contains many people.
Chris Harris, Head Caretaker at South Devon College said, “As a college, the use of the rooms in the building change around a lot and we need flexibility. What we liked about the new ADT fire alarm system is that it can accommodate this requirement. Also, the new ADT control panels employ a software with an open structure, which not only can accommodate third party suppliers, but on a long term basis allows us to do some of the work ourselves cutting down on our costs."
South Devon College has specified Generation 6 detectors in the 830 series, which can now detect smoke, heat and carbon monoxide. The 830 detectors also use sophisticated digital signalling to communicate with the MZX fire control panel and to communicate with the new 850EMT Engineering Management Tool. This hand-held device communicates with the detector via a two-way infrared link allowing settings and parameters of the detector to be adjusted without having to manually access each detector.
In a building as large as Vantage Point the advantages of this clever tool are obvious - it saves time and is safer, as engineers can work at ground level. The 830 detectors also feature sounders and flashing beacons for those with impaired hearing. One other main benefit of the Generation 6 detectors is the advanced design, manufacture and use of new algorithms, which means that the smoke detectors have a lifespan of 20 years – twice the industry average.
ADT Fire & Security also guaranteed to support the system for 20 years, which was important to South Devon College. The installation of the new digital addressable system at Vantage Point is being phased over many months as it can only take place when the building is unoccupied. The Generation 6 Detection Technology is due to be finished and operational by September, just in time for a new semester and to welcome new students.
