Apollo Technology Protects History of Bristol
Apollo fire detection technology has been chosen to protect M
Shed in Bristol; an exciting and innovative new museum that tells
the story of Bristol's history. The contract to supply, commission
and maintain the fire detection system was awarded to Multi Alarm
GB.
M Shed museum explores the city's history from prehistoric times
to the 21st century through extensive collections of
objects, art and archives in addition to working exhibits on the
harbourside, including steam trains and cranes. Situated on
Bristol's historic wharf, the museum is located in a 1950s transit
shed, originally known as M Shed, which was designed to store goods
imported into Bristol's docks. M Shed is one of the few remaining
buildings of its type in the country and has been redeveloped into
Bristol's only museum dedicated to the city's history. This was
possible thanks to an £11.6 million grant from the Heritage Lottery
Fund.
Covering 6000m2, M Shed has three permanent galleries
named Bristol People, Bristol Places and Bristol Life; a rooftop
gallery; a learning suite that is estimated to attract 20,000
school and community visitors each year; a maintenance and
conservation workshop which opens onto the dockside allowing
visitors to see the work going on inside; a café and gift shop.
The fire detection was the responsibility of Multi Alarm who
recommended an Apollo-based system to meet the BS5839 L1 fire
protection requirements. Around 350 Apollo Discovery devices have
been installed to protect the museum, and these are controlled by a
Multi Alarm 4 loop IFAX panel. The main point fire detection system
interfaces with aspirating smoke detection which has been installed
to protect the building's large ceiling voids. In addition, the
client required that the system was networked with the existing
fire detection in the museum's storage and refurbishment area next
door, which is also based upon Apollo technology.
Derek Cooper, Surveyor at Multi Alarm, said: "A system was
required that would allow mode changes to be made from the panel.
This will enable the fire system to be adjusted to take account of
activities in the museum workshop and working exhibits, such as
steam trains, which may otherwise affect the reliability of the
fire detection. We recommended Apollo's Discovery detectors as they
have been fully approved to operate in five different response
modes."
M Shed museum opened its doors for the first time on Friday
17th June 2011.