Apollo have recently introduced a new conventional Manual Call Point (MCP) into their product portfolio. Following customer feedback, they have created a conventional MCP that utilizes the same operation and resettable mechanism as the popular Apollo Intelligent Manual Call Point.
The product, SC2900-001APO, has a new modern and sturdy design, is fitted with an alarm LED and has been designed to operate on a zone of conventional fire detection devices. It is supplied with both 470 Ohm resistors and normally open clean contact electrical options. The new design has already made weekly testing hassle free for numerous end users.
Maintaining smooth operation
A Heart for Duns is a community group of volunteers, formed to maintain and develop the vibrancy that exists in the Scottish town of Duns. The group own and manage the Volunteer Hall, which hosts regular weekly events such as choir practice, community quizzes, after school clubs and more.
The group decided to reshape the facilities so that it better served the needs of the community. In order to maintain a smooth operation of the hall, something that needed to be addressed, was the Manual Call Points. There were various makes and models of MCP’s installed across the site, some were easy to test, others not so. The crucial weekly testing was proving difficult as some of the testing keys didn’t work in the alarm points.
Fire alarm testing
SAFE Services recommended the new Apollo Conventional Manual Call point (SC2900-001APO)
Due to this, the group felt that they were not carrying out effective fire alarm testing and sought an alternative option. A Heart for Duns contacted SAFE Services who specialize in Fire & Security System Integration, offering the highest standard of service from initial consultation and design, to installation and maintenance.
Designed to benefit the end-user by offering an easy reset mechanism, SAFE Services recommended the new Apollo Conventional Manual Call point (SC2900-001APO). All existing call points on the site were changed to this model, each fitted with a hinge cover to reduce false alarms from accidental activation on the busy site. There was minimal disruption to the volunteers as the SC2900-001APO was developed to make installation quick and simple for the engineer.
Swapping out older model
"Having a consistent make of modern Manual Call Point makes it easier to test across the site with minimal effort. Simple and effective. It has made a huge difference!” said Liz Brown, Finance & Facilities Manager at A Heart of Duns.
"For me – The new Apollo call point lends itself easily to swapping out older model call points. I think that because all the testing is done by forwarding pressure on the call point then all the stress is greatly reduced on the back-box fixings into the wall and less to go wrong with the call point itself. Other models require a bit of upwards and downwards force to test and this has led to call points coming loose and worst case, breaking. The call point looks so much more modern compared to others on the market and Apollo has got this one spot on when it comes to testing and resetting. The rotation of the element makes it obvious if the call point has been activated should this be maliciously or accidentally," said Graeme Millar, Fire Systems Technical Engineer at SAFE Systems.