Due to the extreme environment, the ADT team developed a fire system that could be easily installed, commissioned, operated and maintained by BAS staff stationed at the facility.
Opening in 2013, Halley VI will house scientific laboratories and living accommodation for the 16 people who work there during the Antarctic winter, and 52 people in the summer. The advanced research station will comprise of eight modular buildings mounted on legs enabling them to be raised hydraulically above the rising snowline.
Living and working in one of the world’s most extreme environments demands an extraordinary approach to building and new levels of protection are required. The team from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) therefore required a functionally efficient and robust fire detection system that would not only withstand extremes in temperature but also ensure a reliable system for the life of the building.
The MX digital system, which was built and soak tested in the UK, was selected as it allows for greater levels of functionality over an analogue system. The new digital technology offers an intelligent and fully addressable system with complicated cause and effect programming. The MX® digital system at the site also controls a sophisticated water-mist suppression system, fire doors and out-station buildings as well as interfacing with an advanced Building Management System.
Architect for the project Hugh Broughton commented: “We selected the MX digital fire detection system from ADT as it has been designed to be simple to control and manage. It will enable people based in Antarctica to quickly locate and respond to any problems and to manually operate the system via a control panel. Should further assistance be required, ADT’s 24/7 support desk is a telephone call away.”
To ensure that all members of BAS staff are fully qualified to operate the MX system on-site, the team will undergo special training from ADT Fire & Security in the UK. The team will also be equipped with a supply of spare parts in the unlikely event that any components fail.
"This has been a unique project and one with its own unique set of challenges," concluded Peter Lackey, ADT Fire Product Marketing Manager. "The isolated BAS team needs to rely on an effective fire detection and alarm system that can withstand the extreme environment. In addition, the team needed to be able to maintain the system themselves so we've had to undertake a detailed training course. It's been a challenging project but one that the ADT team are extremely proud of."
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