In the November 2016 print issue of Professional Security, we featured blast-proofing of windows at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The home of cricket is having construction works; the Warner Stand is being replaced over the winter. Cygnus wireless fire alarms from Bull Products are in use. BAM Construction specified them as fire and first aid alarm call points and 31 smoke detectors. Kevin Stoney, Project Manager for BAM London, said: “The Cygnus system performs really well and is very reliable. Bull Products respond well to any requests, and all regulations were successfully signed off to allow a smooth hand-over.” Although designed as a temporary alarm system for construction sites, the Cygnus wireless system can be used on other construction sites after use. At the Warner Stand project, the product could be modified to link with alarms in the site offices. It was also modified to interface with the general alarm at Lord’s.
Phase one of the Warner Stand project focused on the structure and seating of the stand before handing over in July 2016 ready for the second England versus Pakistan Investec Test match. With the cricket season over, the phase two work of creating bars, restaurant and other amenities has now started and is due for completion in April 2017.
Fire point stations are positioned throughout the site with alarms that are linked to a main control panel. This control panel is also linked to an additional sounder system which can be switched off on match days.
The Cygnus is able to link no less than 480 units in 15 zones. A unit may be a fire alarm call point, first aid alert point, smoke detector, heat detector or a combined call point and first aid alert alarm. Where there are multiple sites within range of each other, the CE marked Cygnus system has been designed to operate on different site addresses, to keep each system separate and free from interference.
An optional control panel provides an event log function which records alarm activations, low battery warning, and signal faults, which can be viewed if necessary in the history folder on the panel. The product can test all units and has an evacuate function which will act as a call point to the rest of the alarm units.
Each unit in the system can provide the panel with information at regular intervals. This explicit information confirms the unit is still present and what the battery status of each device is. Known as the ‘heart beat’ this message is monitored by the control panel where fitted and if the ‘heart beat’ is not heard for several intervals, the control panel logs a full status for that unit.
A PIR option is now available on any of the modules which can detect an intruder and alert off-site personnel for added safety protection.
Bull Products offers a one-year guarantee on all Cygnus devices. Visit www.bullproducts.co.uk.
