printer friendly version

Avoiding false alarms

Modern theatrical productions and concerts use complex special effects and pyrotechnics, and these on-stage special effects can be a real nightmare in avoiding fire safety system false alarms. Which is why Exeter University’s Northcott Theatre looked to Kentec to provide a long-term solution.

Specified by Alarmtec, the fire alarm and voice evacuation system from Kentec was specified particularly for its flexibility to match the project’s design development.

Kentec averts ‘special effects’ false alarms at Exeter University’s Northcott Theatre

At the heart of the system is the fire detection control panel from Kentec, strategically sited to enable early indication of fire event information. A Kentec 4 loop syncro panel with 10 A power supply unit was specified, and this interface is supported by a 72-hour standby, together with two display-only repeater panels.  

Detectors are from Hochiki, together with Vesda air sample detection. Two zonal fireman’s microphones with message control are installed at the public entrances to allow the fire services to make live direct announcements in the event of an emergency. Theatre technical staff can access the system from their patch bay, with the discretion to re-initiate system operations after the use of special effects.

Mimic display technology

Kentec’s Syncro Matrix uses flexible, fibre-optic light guides to illuminate areas on a fire alarm mimic display floor plan, laid over a high-resolution grid and it can be connected to any panel in Kentec’s Syncro and Syncro AS fire alarm panel range. Syncro Matrix is also flexible and future-proofed as it completely dispenses with wiring, enabling indicators to be moved, removed or added on site.

When linked to the fire control panel, a Mimic Panel provides a graphical representation of the site or building layout to give users, at a glance, the location of the origin of a potential fire incident. This rapidly configurable system dispenses completely with wiring and enables indicators to be moved, removed or added on site without the need for any wiring.

Share this article:

Further reading: