Dorset County Hospital, a Foundation Trust hospital in the county town of Dorchester, has successfully 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Comprising 18 wards, 375 beds, and over 3,300 staff, the hospital needed to replace its outdated and limited fire system to enhance building safety and reduce the time spent on fire system testing and operation.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. Despite these obstacles, the installation proceeded with minimal disruption to the hospital’s services.
Mike Sutton, Regional Sales Manager – South at Apollo, commented, “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. The detectors in this range 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.
Roy Pinder, Fire Safety Advisor for the Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said, “The installation of the new fire system was particularly challenging during the pandemic, which consequently caused some delays. This has been a major project for the trust and could not have been delivered without the support of the staff and the estates team. Our new fire system provides greater versatility and flexibility.”
The Apollo Discovery 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.
Apollo is a company on a mission to keep people safe from fire every second of every day. The company specialises in designing and manufacturing high-quality fire detection solutions that protect people from fire in over 100 countries around the world. Based in Havant, Hampshire, on the UK’s south coast, Apollo operates through regional offices in the UK, China, Dubai, and Germany, supporting a network of partners and distributors across five continents. Apollo has been part of Halma plc, a FTSE 100-listed group of life-saving technology companies, since 1983.
For more information: www.apollo-fire.co.uk
