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Integrated fire solution in Maponya Mall

GE Security's fire detection technology is helping make Soweto's flagship mall a safe place to shop.

Maponya Mall, Soweto's first mega-regional upmarket shopping centre was opened in September 2007. With an area of over 60 000 m², more than 180 tenants and thousands of staff and shoppers passing through the mall every day, safety and security is a key concern.

Systems contractor, Integrated Fire Security (IFS), was tasked with the responsibility of designing and installing a fully integrated smoke detection system, engineered in conjunction with KKA Electrical, the consulting electrical engineers on the project, headed by Glen Kwasnik.

Matt Kielty, CEO of IFS comments, "The requirements for this project were for a system that was capable of interfacing with all the mall's systems to ensure that, not only is management informed when smoke is detected, but that the smoke can be extracted from the complex while the public and the property are protected.

"The system is integrated in such a way that it links into all the other systems in the building such as the escalators, lifts, airconditioning plant, smoke vents etc.

"We elected to use GE Security as our technology solution supplier for this project. We have a long established partnership with them and, as such, they have proven themselves to be very reliable and efficient. These were two very important considerations on this project; since we were running to fairly tight time constraints in order to have the facility completed, and ready for clearance by fire inspectors by the scheduled date for opening," he says.

Devan Pillay, GE Security's African region leader explains, "GE Security was very pleased to be able to supply the field equipment in the form of sensing devices from the Apollo range; while the control equipment is our FP1200 analogue addressable panels. The panels are located in the centre management office, where the main control unit is installed. This provides the advantage of providing specific feedback as to the precise detector or device triggered by an alarm, which greatly increases the response time and the effectiveness of the reaction: a crucial consideration when every second counts.

"In addition, the panels can be used retrospectively to record the precise time and location of an event, and store this information for analysis should the need arise," Pillay adds.

Maponya Mall operations manager, Trevor Moynna comments, "Our primary focus is the safety and security of all our personnel and patrons; as well as protecting the facility. We are very pleased with the peace of mind that comes with a sophisticated and reliable fire system, such as the one which we have had installed.

The Maponya Mall is a very high profile development, which typifies the exciting changes in the current climate of South African facilities development, and newly-established spaces and venues. GE Security is proud to have played a role along with in ensuring the public's safety and their continued enjoyment of Gauteng's newest shopping centre," Pillay concludes.

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