Wireless fire safety system installed at Welsh hospital
Iain Hoey
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Wireless fire alarm supports safety during hospital refurbishment
Cygnus has reported that its wireless fire detection system SmartNet-100 has been installed at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
The project was carried out by Shield Fire & Security during a refurbishment programme that required removal of the site’s previous wired alarm due to asbestos works.
SmartNet-100 was selected because it is a fully wireless, EN 54 certified solution that did not require hardwired interfaces or expanders.
According to Shield Fire & Security, the system allowed for uninterrupted progress with the asbestos works while maintaining full fire detection capability.
The full installation was completed in three days.
Coordinated installation completed without disruption
Shield Fire & Security stated that the hospital remained operational throughout the installation.
The company coordinated with Tilbury Douglas, the site administrators, to ensure no disruption to hospital staff or patients.
The works were divided into two phases: one day to install the system on the ground floor, and two days for the first floor, which covered a larger area.
Lee German, Life Safety Systems Manager at Shield Fire & Security, said: “The nature of this install necessitated a wireless solution, and as one of the very few truly wireless fire solutions on the market, choosing Cygnus was an obvious choice.”
He added:
“It was our first time installing SmartNet and we were extremely impressed by both the speed and ease of installation.
We highly recommend SmartNet, it has become our preferred wireless solution.”
System built for small to mid-scale projects
Cygnus described the SmartNet-100 system as suitable for small to medium scale buildings.
It operates using a wireless mesh network of radio devices, and features self-forming, self-healing network technology with multiple communication paths.
According to the manufacturer, SmartNet-100 can be up to 20 times faster to install than wired systems.
It includes several of the same functions as the larger SmartNet-Pro system but is designed for simpler deployments.
Fire detection coverage across both floors
SmartNet-100 was installed across the hospital’s ground and first floors.
According to Cygnus, the ground floor installation included 18 heat detectors and 10 manual call points.
On the first floor, 16 heat detectors and three manual call points were added.
Output modules and sound bases were also deployed across both floors to complete the alarm system coverage.
Installer training and future plans
Shield Fire & Security staff completed both basic and advanced training at the Cygnus Academy to qualify as certified installers.
The company said that due to the installation’s success, more of its personnel will attend future training courses to become Cygnus Certified Installers.
Kevin Oliver, Project Manager at Tilbury Douglas, said: “As a busy live hospital, it was imperative that the building could continue to operate as normally and as safely as possible.”
He added:
“We are very pleased with the installation of the SmartNet-100 fire detection and alarm system.
It has allowed Prince Charles Hospital to remain operational with minimal disruption.”
Wireless fire safety system installed at Welsh hospital: Summary
Cygnus has reported that its SmartNet-100 wireless fire detection system was installed at Prince Charles Hospital in Wales.
The work was completed by Shield Fire & Security in coordination with Tilbury Douglas.
The hospital was undergoing asbestos-related works that required removal of its wired alarm system.
SmartNet-100 was selected due to its wireless operation and EN 54 certification.
Installation was completed over three days in two phases.
The system included heat detectors, manual call points, output modules and sound bases.
Shield Fire & Security completed Cygnus Academy training to become certified installers.
The company plans to send more staff for certification.
Cygnus stated the system is up to 20 times faster to install than wired systems.
Tilbury Douglas confirmed the hospital remained operational throughout the project.
No disruption to patients or staff was reported.