Apollo fire detectors (below) ... for various applications.
Apollo unveils BMS gateway
Apollo’s new fire detection solution allows panel manufacturers to continue to offer their own unique designs and features, while incorporating the option for integration with the building’s BMS.
01 March 2011
APOLLO Fire Detectors, a world leader in fire detection solutions, showcased an innovative device that allows the integration of fire detection into building management systems (BMS) at the Intersec, international meeting platform for security, safety and protection held in Dubai, UAE, in January.
“While security, heating, lighting and ventilation equipment is typically combined into a single, integrated BMS, particularly in larger scale buildings, fire detection has traditionally resisted full integration – largely due to its status as a safety-critical system,” says Eva Kosanovic, says senior product manager.
“However, as buildings like international sports stadia become larger and more complex, interaction between different building services is not only desirable, but also necessary if safety-critical procedures are to be effective. The ability for a fire signal to tell a security system to release certain access doors for use as escape routes is one simple example,” she points out.
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Apollo, which is continually looking to develop new ways of making fire detection easier and more reliable for its customers, has provided a solution. Its latest development OpenConnect Gateway allows fire detection systems to be integrated into BMS systems.
“OpenConnect is a simple, off-the-shelf product, which will take the information from a fire alarm control panel and connect it to a BMS using standard protocols such as BACnet, Modbus or LonWorks,” explains Kosanovic.
The device is effectively a ‘plug and play’ concept that fire panel manufacturers can incorporate into their existing products. Apollo has also worked closely with leading fire panel manufacturers through its Panel Partnership and will continue to support the development and adoption of OpenConnect as it comes to market.
In line with Apollo’s belief that collaboration and openness are the best basis for innovation, it will be making the OpenConnect protocol available to participating control panel manufacturers under licence. The licensed manufacturer will be able to develop its own software to incorporate this protocol and will provide a suitable physical connection between its panel and the OpenConnect Gateway. This allows sufficient freedom for the panel manufacturer to continue to offer its own unique design and features, while incorporating the option for integration with BMS.
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OpenConnect Gateway ... easy integration into BMS systems. |
“OpenConnect will bring many benefits, including faster response times, co-ordinated strategies in case of emergency or failure, and pre-planned and pre-programmed evacuation procedures,” says Kosanovic. “Crucially, only information is shared and the devices are kept physically separate from other building services equipment. This ensures that the safety-critical fire detection is not at risk of malfunction if there is a fault with other services.”
Apollo Fire Detectors continues to invest in its product development programme to deliver leading edge fire detection solutions and remains committed to its customers in the Gulf region.
With continuous research and development driving the delivery of leading-edge fire detection solutions, Apollo offers five distinct product ranges to cover any fire detection requirement. These include conventional fire detectors for small to medium-sized applications, such as schools and individual shop units, to analogue addressable fire detectors for more complex developments like shopping malls, large hotels and corporate headquarters buildings.
With its network of loyal distributors, including Telectron in Abu Dhabi, Nar Koob in Iran, New Age in Dubai and Khayber Trading in Bahrain, Apollo can deliver tailored, local solutions for its fire detection partners across the Gulf region.
The company is confident in its ability to meet any challenge presented by the demands of the market, given its hands-on experience across the Gulf over the past 20-plus years in the region.
Commenting about the market, she says: “Despite the global recession that has led to the slowdown of many economies, the Gulf region remains buoyant. Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the region’s biggest construction markets over the past couple of years and offers a great deal of potential for contractors in 2011. Qatar, which will be hosting the 2022 World Cup, has been highlighted as a global destination, prompting the development of new infrastructure essential to hosting an international sporting event.”
Apollo’s products are already used throughout the world to protect major leisure and sporting complexes. In the UK, they are the fire detection of choice for Olympic venues such as Surrey Sports Park and Portland Marina.
In the Gulf region, the Riffa Views luxury residential development in Bahrain is one of the latest developments to be equipped with an Apollo-based fire detection system. Riffa Views sets the standard for luxury residential developments, covering 28 million sq ft and containing more than 900 villas, including a number of sporting, social and entertainment venues.
Local distributor Khayber Trading won the contract to supply and install fire detection systems for a number of venues on the complex, including Riffa Views Golf and Country Club. The country club boasts a swimming pool, multi-purpose sports court, children’s play area, Italian restaurant, and a gymnasium and sauna. The state-of-the-art facility is protected by a fire detection system based on Apollo’s XP95 analogue addressable range.
Apollo XP95 fire detectors were also chosen to protect Riffa Mall, a high-class shopping complex where all the outlets are focused around a central atrium space. More than 450 XP95 detectors and almost 100 ancillary devices, including manual call points and open area sounder beacons, were also installed at the complex.
Wahooo! Waterpark in Bahrain is another of the Gulf’s landmarks that have been protected by Apollo’s XP95 technology. Covering an area of 15,000 sq m, Wahooo! is the Middle East’s first indoor-outdoor water-park. Khyber Trading recommended a fire system based on Apollo’s XP95 range, which is arranged over four loops and controlled using an Advanced Electronics control panel. The fire system includes 300 multi-sensors and heat detectors.
Apollo Fire Detectors is one of the world's leading manufacturers of fire detection solutions for commercial and industrial applications. Based in Havant, UK, since 1980, Apollo has built a worldwide reputation for innovation, quality and reliability.
