Wireless fire safety system from Kentec protects residents at 21 Wapping Lane

K-Mesh and Taktis are working in tandem at 21 Wapping Lane in central London, which provides a modern living space in what is one of the capital’s oldest maritime neighbourhoods.

These award-winning solutions were installed by DPJ Fire and Security Ltd, a Kentec Installation Partner, after the business won a competitive tendering process orchestrated by property developer Ballymore (an independently owned property developer responsible for some of Europe’s largest regeneration protections). 

The complete fire safety system protects five mixed-use residential complexes featuring luxury and affordable housing. Included within that mix is an 18-storey tower located near St Katherine’s Dock. In total, there are over 380 dwellings spanning an area of 7,500 m².

A wireless solution was proposed due to the ease and speed of installation involved, in turn creating less disruption for occupants at the site. The number of floors meant running cables was impractical. The wireless solution avoided costly builders’ work and firestopping.

Also important is K-Mesh’s SmartGuide technology, which supports safe and strategic building evacuation and means the fire detection system can be easily converted to an EVAC evacuation system as and when desired or practical.

Networked to K-Mesh, the complete system features five of Kentec’s four-loop Taktis fire control panels and more than 750 devices, among them wireless heat sensors and sounders and optical smoke detectors.

Wireless network performance

K-Mesh was selected due to its impressive wireless network performance and self-healing dynamic Mesh network, which – as stated – renders the system easy to use, install and commission and, ultimately, provides a highly robust wireless network. This gives confidence and assurance that fire incidents are going to be detected and communicated immediately.

A wireless translator module, which sits at the centre of the K-Mesh system, is hard-wired to the fire alarm control panel loop and communicates continuously with the wireless devices. The detection range provides the highest reliability for automatic detection, with the ensemble including optical, thermal and combined optical and thermal detectors, which can respond to a wide spectrum of fire phenomena, while in parallel minimising false and unwanted activations.

Paul Fitzsimmons, account director at DPJ Fire and Security Ltd, believes that K-Mesh’s SmartGuide technology is a considerable benefit. “It wirelessly uses sound, light and voice command functionality to provide clear evacuation instructions,” stated Fitzsimmons. “Due to the fact that it can be easily converted to an EVAC evacuation system, it also realises a future-proofed solution. Without doubt, it’s the best choice of system for this development.”

Lauryn Amara, senior facilities and projects manager at Ballymore, noted: “The project was delivered on time and to budget. A complex installation went well and DPJ Fire and Security Ltd provided excellent communication throughout. Overall, we’re very pleased to have furthered the safety of our residents.”

Overcoming barriers

Derrick Hall, director of sales at Kentec Electronics, has explained that K-Mesh overcomes all of the traditional barriers mentioned whenever the use of wireless systems is proposed. “K-Mesh has a seven-to-ten-year battery life,” stated Hall, “which is approximately twice that of the industry standard.”

Hall continued: “The advanced technology involved here is also fully expandable and configurable from two devices right up to 2,000. On that basis, even the largest, most disparate and complex of sites can now be protected using wireless systems. K-Mesh is an easy-to-install and highly practical wireless solution that’s ideal for residential complexes.”

*Kentec is exhibiting on Stand G35 in Hall 3a at The Fire Safety Event 2023, which runs from 25-27 April at the NEC in Birmingham

**Further information on the K-Mesh and Taktis solutions may be accessed online at www.kentec.co.uk