Dorset County Hospital has completed a comprehensive upgrade of its fire systems using 2,700 Apollo Discovery devices and overcoming numerous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the complex range of buildings on the site.
Comprising 18 wards, 375 beds, and over 3,300 staff, the hospital needed to replace its outdated and limited fire system to enhance building safety and reduce the time spent on fire system testing and operation.
Installers faced the challenge of installing the new system while keeping the site operational 24/7, as well as navigating additional safety measures imposed by the pandemic.
Mike Sutton, regional sales manager for the South at Apollo, said: “Our team worked closely with the Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to specify a fire system that both fulfils the current needs of the site, and offers the capability to be expanded or upgraded in the future.
“Approximately 2,700 Discovery Multi-Sensor devices were installed throughout the hospital, coupled with an Advanced MxPro 5 fire panel, offering variable sensitivity settings to ensure optimal protection for patients, staff and visitors.
“The trust’s priority was to significantly enhance fire safety provision across all its buildings, while reducing the levels of input required from its staff and external fire engineers.
“This was achieved by streamlining the testing regime and decreasing the need for repairs and maintenance.
“Transitioning from a ‘make do and mend’ approach to the installation of a completely-new fire system has had a tangible effect on the day-to-day business of the hospital, significantly reducing the ongoing costs of testing and maintenance.”
The Apollo Discovery range of fire devices is a cutting-edge line of analogue addressable detectors and associated devices, offering a high degree of versatility for multiple complex environments.
Developed from the proven XP95 protocol, the Discovery range provides reliable fire detection and false alarm management, making it an ideal choice for facilities that require an advanced fire system.
And the detectors feature five modes of operation, all of which are approved to EN54-23 standards, allowing users to adjust the sensitivity of the detectors depending on the specific environment in which they are installed.
The range is noted for its superior detection capabilities, enhanced diagnostics, and maintenance features.
The devices are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Advanced MxPro range, providing a comprehensive fire safety solution.
With self-monitoring capabilities, Discovery detectors can identify and report potential issues before they become critical, ensuring the highest level of protection at all times.
The range includes Multi-Sensor detectors, optical smoke detectors, heat detectors, and Multi-Sensor detectors with integrated carbon monoxide (CO) sensing, making it a comprehensive solution for diverse fire system requirements.