Hochiki systems protect Titanic Distillers at Belfast’s Thompson Dock

The year is 1911. The empty hull of the Titanic has moved into Belfast’s Thompson Dock for the fit-out process, painting and the installation of the propellers. Adjacent to the dry dock sits the Pumphouse, where powerful pumps can drain the Thompson Dock of 26 imperial gallons of water in just 90 minutes (ie the equivalent of two swimming pools per minute).

With the ship in place, the caisson gate closes, the pumps kick into life and the dock drains to reveal stunning Victorian architecture.

Now, the Pumphouse has been bought back to its former glory, with every red brick and arched window lovingly restored such that it can play host to a functioning distillery. The Titanic Distillery is already welcoming tourists who are hoping to learn a little more about the heritage of Belfast’s famous docks and sample some traditional Irish whisky.

Atlas World, the fire systems installation business based in Belfast, was commissioned to work this prestigious project by the specifying consultant.

Atlas World has worked on projects in both modern and listed buildings, including Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, Queens University, the Belfast MET College and Lidl’s Northern Ireland distribution hub.

Led by technical sales manager Gavin Nesbitt, the team members at the company knew this would be a complex project, not only because the building is listed, but also due to the methods used during the distilling process itself.

‘Pick and mix’

Nesbitt informed Fire Safety Matters: “Although Atlas World has been using Hochiki’s fire safety products for several years now, my experience has only been in the last 18 months or so. The products are easy to fit, while the range is vast so it’s perfectly possible to ‘pick and mix’ depending on the requirements of the project.”

The process of making whisky is quite dangerous, with the potential for fire occurring from the release of flammable compounds such as ethanol (ie alcohol). Although the essence of whisky distilling is steeped in heritage and tradition, when it comes to safety there’s no room for nostalgia.

Also important was Atlas World’s ability to use a range of products that were suitable for the activities within the Pumphouse building, ensuring the safety of staff and visitors and, of course, protecting what is a world heritage site.

Nesbitt continued: “Hochiki’s ESP systems have been installed, including multi-sensors and optical sensors. We’ve been able to programme the sensitivity of the devices depending on the environment, taking account of where steam and heat are present. The nature of Hochiki’s products meant that we could adapt the parameters to not only keep everyone safe, but also reduce the risk of false alarms.”

Once that alarm is activated, everyone must leave the premises immediately given that there’s a high risk of explosion in this type of environment. For a distillery which is also operating as a tourist venue, false alarms are not only hugely disruptive to the operation itself, but can cost a lot of money and be damaging to the location’s reputation as a safe tourist spot. Hochiki Europe’s products have “dramatically reduced” the risk of false alarms for the customer.

“We’ve also installed loop-powered sounders and beacons,” noted Nesbitt. “These visual devices are critical for those parts of the building where noise levels might cover the sound of an alarm for workers using ear defenders. Of course, they are also vital in facilities such as disabled toilets. The other bonus is that they consume exceptionally low levels of electrical current and maximise the loop's capacity.”

Preventing damage

A key priority for the distillery’s owners was to ensure that this listed building was not damaged in any way. On that basis, representatives from the National Trust and a specialist archaeologist were consulted to ensure that any works carried out would be empathetic to the structure.

“We needed to ensure that all of the work we carried out complies with the specifications set out by the heritage experts,” observed Nesbitt. “Aesthetically, the design of Hochiki products is modern yet simple, so they can just slip into the background and do their job, all without detracting from or otherwise impacting on the surroundings. This is important for the Titanic Distillery.”

As has been the case for many fire installation projects over the last few years, frustrations creep in when projects are delayed due to supply chain issues. Unfortunately, this project was not immune. However, Nesbitt explained: “We knew that we would have some issues in terms of Call Point availability. That said, our contact at Hochiki Europe was excellent at keeping us informed every step of the way and offered an alternative solution that works well. Ultimately, this meant that we could still deliver the project on time.”

Atlas World is managing the ongoing maintenance for Hochiki’s life safety devices that have been installed on this project.

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