Case Studies
Transforming UK Infrastructure
East Village, Stratford
FyreLine Digital
Linear Heat Detection
East Village, located in Stratford, London, is a dynamic and evolving neighbourhood. Emerging from the 2012 Olympic Games, it is a blend of modernity and history. East Village is a mix of contemporary buildings nestled alongside the iconic Olympic Park. It’s a hub of activity with the London Stadium, art installations, and a diverse range of shops, cafes, and eateries. With excellent transport links, including Stratford International Station, it’s a convenient place for commuters. East Village captures the essence of East London, offering a mix of urban energy and a touch of British character.
“The FyreLine Digital LHD system is easy to install and configure. The self-monitoring for fault/UPS fault and fire meterage identification allows for minimal maintenance. The system was integrated with an external open protocol fire control panel.
Overall, the system fits all the requirements to conform with the FRA from a design, installation, commissioning and maintainability perspective. Also the rapid turnaround and availability of the Eurofyre system exceeded expectations.“
Garry Newman – NBB Rail
The Project
Amongst the diverse properties in East Village is an eight storey domestic apartment block with bridging balconies and commercial units below. However, this particular building was built using cladding that is no-longer compliant with EWS1 since regulations were updated following the Grenfell Tower fire. Therefore, the cladding covering the entire buildings needed to be updated and, to do so, a scaffolding structure needed to be erected around the building. This would present a fire risk in itself – the hot works used to remove the existing cladding would cause an increased risk of fire while the wooden boarding would further bridge the fire barriers.
The Requirements
A temporary fire detection system was required to protect the building’s external structure while the scaffolding structure was in place. The system installed would need to be suitable for use in external environments without causing false alarms and unnecessary evacuation.
The fire alarm system would need to give an early warning of fire and provide an accurate location of any fire events to facilitate fast investigation and response.
Weather Conditions
UK weather can be quite unpredictable. Fire alarm systems installed externally may need to withstand rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and other weather-related challenges without false alarms
False Positives from Environmental Factors
Environmental factors such as high winds or nearby industrial processes can lead to false alarms. Designing a fire detection system to account for these factors can be complex
False Alarms
External fire alarm systems can be triggered by various factors such as smoke from cooking, bonfires, or even insects. Reducing false alarms while ensuring genuine alarms are not missed is a challenge.
Our Approach & Challenges
There are a number of challenges that are presented when designing a fire alarm system to work outdoors
After careful consideration, it was determined that a FyreLine Linear Heat Detection system was the only viable solution for protecting the outside of the building from fire while the re-cladding work was carried out.
FyreLine Digital is unaffected by weather conditions and environmental factors, is low-maintenance and easy to install. This means it can provide a cost-effective and reliable fire detection solution for this type of application with very little risk of false alarms.
FyreLine Heat Detection Cable was installed around the temporary scaffolding structure while the works were carried out providing ample coverage with minimal maintenance requirements.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance and testing of external fire alarm systems is crucial. Maintaining these systems, especially in hard-to-reach or exposed locations, can be costly and logistically challenging.
Power Supply & Backup
External fire alarm systems need a reliable power supply and backup to function during power outages. Ensuring a constant power source in outdoor environments can be challenging.