Detection & Alarm Systems
THE CHALLENGE
Scottish Gas Training Academy, Hamilton
Scottish Gas operates a Training Academy at Hamilton which trains all their engineers. Due to the nature of the practical training there was a high incidence of false alarms with the fire detection system. During training demonstrations the system would be activated causing inconvenient interruptions to the days training, not to mention the unnecessary calling out of the fire and rescue service. There was clearly a need to reduce unwanted alarms.
THE SOLUTION
Vipond quickly established that the existing fire detection & alarm system was unable to differentiate between boiler fumes and actual smoke during training demonstrations. As a distributor for fire detection & alarm equipment manufacturer Notifier, Vipond proposed that this high end equipment would provide the key to the problem. The Notifier Smart4 intelligent Multi-Criteria Detector combines four separate sensing elements to act as a single unit. It combines CO sensing to monitor carbon dioxide from smouldering fires, infra-red sensing for measuring ambient light levels and flames, optical smoke detection and heat detection. The installation resolved the false alarm issues at the Training Academy and paved the way for uninterrupted training.
THE CHALLENGE
The White Company, Nationwide
In early 2016 Vipond were asked to provide a proposal and were successfully awarded the contract to provide the routine service and maintenance for sprinkler systems, fire alarms and fire extinguishers throughout all of the company’s retail portfolio and its distribution centre in Swan Valley.
THE SOLUTION
Vipond’s LPS accreditations in fire alarm and sprinkler systems ensure that the equipment throughout the White Companies properties are being serviced to the correct standard, as well as providing nationwide 24 hour, 365 day emergency coverage for the clients peace of mind.
THE CHALLENGE
Buchanan Street Subway Station, Glasgow
The Glasgow Subway, opened in 1896 and is the third oldest metro system in the world after London and Budapest. It provides trains for the public every four minutes during peak times, so life safety is a high priority. A recent multi-million pound upgrade included refurbishment to the subway stations providing easier access to the stations.
THE SOLUTION
As part of the upgrades a comprehensive evaluation of the fire protection measures were carried out by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The fire strategy that emerged, included improvements to the fire alarm system. Vipond Fire Protection were selected for the job and installed a FireClass analogue addressable fire controller in the ticket office. In addition to managing multistate fire detectors and manual callpoint breakglass units the FireClass panel also provides ancilliary functions including interface units to stop the travellator and escalators.
THE CHALLENGE
Virador, Polmadie
A new recycling and renewable energy centre has changed the skyline along Polmadie Road in the South Side of Glasgow. This facility will have the capacity to recycle 200,000 tonnes of domestic waste annually and replaces a well established waste depot with its landmark towering chimneys. The new plant will divert residual waste whilst releasing recyclable resources from household waste and producing enough energy to power 22,000 households in the city. The complex processes and risk factors required a comprehensive and integrated range of fire protection measures.
THE SOLUTION
Vipond Fire have provided a wide range of system solutions from fire sprinklers at roof level fed from a 1.25 million water storage tank, water monitors, infrared flame detectors and gaseous fire suppression systems. These solutions are tailored to the industrial processes, starting where fuel arrives at Waste Reception in its raw condition and enters the recyclable material process.