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Quality fire detection installation at Baywear Clothing

Baywear Clothing is a private company operating in Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha since 1952. The modern 2850 m2 face brick factory houses a vertical operation. Fabrics are knitted on a range of 80 body-width machines using locally and internationally sourced yarns, primarily cotton, but also pure wool and other fibres.

Due to the nature of the factory, it is understandable that a quality fire detection system is required. JZL Projects and Solutions was asked to provide a comprehensive, yet cost-effective, solution that would be installed with minimum disruption to the factory. Due to the expanse of the factory floors, optical beam detectors were the best choice for large coverage areas, and since the fire alarm system would also be needed to control fire doors and shut down fresh air intakes, an addressable system was required.

JZL Projects and Solutions designer JP Germishuizen selected the EA-P116 1-loop addressable fire control panel along with The Fire Beam Blue optical beams, which could be powered from the loop of the EA-P116, simplifying the installation. This design was conceived following a white paper from G2 Fire on correctly implementing powering beams directly from the G2 addressable panel’s loop. This provided not only a simplified installation, where additional 24 V DC power supplies are not required, but additionally leverages the inherent redundancy in the loop.

The key advantages of using the G2 addressable system, enabling the loop powering of the beams, are:

• Fewer points of failure.

• Reduction of service-replaceable items (i.e., batteries).

• Faster, simpler installation.

• Reduced hardware costs.

• Easier to maintain.

• Simple programming.

Jaque de Beer from JZL Projects was delighted at how smoothly the project went. “The G2 addressable panels are simple to cable and programme, and the beam installation seemed much simpler.”

An additional 70 loop devices, including addressable detectors, manual call points, sounders and I/O units, were also attached to the single loop to provide a holistic fire detection solution throughout the building.

Summary of installation components:

• EA 1 loop addressable panel.

• Optical smoke detectors.

• Optical beam detectors (The Fire Beam Blue).

• Thermal heat detectors.

• Manual call points.

• Sounder/beacons.

• I/O units to monitor beams.

• Relays to control fire doors.

• Relays to shut down fresh air intake.

Ian van Jaarsveld, JZL Projects, added, “The client was pleased with how little disruption was caused during the installation. A successful installation provides comprehensive protection and compliance, while understanding the user’s business needs.”

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