System upgrade delivers ship-shape fire protection at HMS Belfast

As part of ongoing fire system upgrade works taking place across the IWM’s estate, an eight-loop and a two-loop MxPro 5 fire panel, along with a TouchControl touchscreen remote control terminal and repeater, have been installed across six of the battleship’s nine decks, as well as in its on-shore visitor pavilion.

Facilities services company Atalian Servest was responsible for the installation, commissioning and networking of the fire panels in accordance with BS 5839. The panels have been integrated with around 700 Apollo XP95 detectors and interfaced with VESDA aspirating smoke detection.

Shane Robinson, project manager at Atalian Servest Fire & Security, explained: “Following a number of successful MxPro 5 installation projects across numerous buildings operated by the IWM estate, Advanced’s solutions were our first choice when recommending a fire system for HMS Belfast. The fire alarm control and indicating equipment is both modern and extremely user-friendly for clients to operate, with the added functionality and aesthetics of the TouchControl panel.”

TouchControl is the low-profile, high-resolution touchscreen repeater that makes it easy to check fire system status via interactive maps and zone plans. The solution complements a wide range of interiors. When in standby mode, it can be used to display branding, advertisements and information, but will instantly revert to fire operation when a fire condition occurs.

Protecting history

ADI Global took on the responsibility for the supply of the fire alarm control panels for the HMS Belfast project. Gareth Roberts, category manager of fire for the UK and Ireland at ADI Global, said: “It’s a pleasure to have been able to supply Atalian Servest with the MxPro 5 and TouchControl equipment required to protect such a treasured and iconic part of Britain’s maritime history. The customer chose ADI due to our excellent value proposition and our commitment to deliver against requirements. We used our extensive stock portfolio to ensure the customer’s expectations and requirements were met throughout the lifecycle of this project.”

MxPro 5 is certified by FM Approvals to EN 54. It offers customers a choice of four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, all backed up by free training and support. MxPro 5 panels can be used in single-loop, single-panel format or easily configured into high-speed networks of up to 200 panels covering large areas. Ease of installation and configuration, as well as its wide peripheral range, make MxPro 5 customisable to almost any application.

Neil Parkin, regional sales manager for the North at Advanced, concluded: “With around 350,000 visitors to the warship each year, the installed category L1 system provides the highest standard of protection for those on board.”

*Further information is available online at www.advancedco.com