| The new technology from Chubb includes a network of fire control panels and multi-spectrum detectors |
Chubb Fire and Security is to design and install a new fire alarm system that will help ensure the continuity of power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire. Chubb is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
The Little Barford Power Station is a combined cycle gas turbine power station operated by RWE npower, a leading integrated UK energy company. It had specified open protocol, non-proprietary equipment for the project, as it was suffering from a lack of service and parts for its ageing system. It partnered Chubb as the company best suited to meet the needs of such a hazardous environment, says Matt Tuck, Assistant Control and Instrumentation Engineer at the St Neots site:
“Power stations are unique environments with stringent fire safety requirements,” he says, “and that means working with a supplier that we can trust. As well as the plant and machinery, we also store various chemicals and oils on site that present an increased fire risk.”
“Chubb agreed to install new technology whilst retaining the existing wiring of the previous system to help minimise the cost and disruption of installation. We now look forward to having a modernfire detection and alarm system that can be supported throughout the extended life of the station to 2025.”
The new technology from Chubb includes a network of fire control panels and multi-spectrum detectors to replace the existing infrared flame sensors. The new detectors use advanced signal processing algorithms to provide continuous protection over a large area, and have the highest level of false alarm immunity.
According to Sophie Watson, Commercial & Marketing Director of Chubb Fire & Security, this contract is yet another example of the wide range of environments that Chubb has the capability to protect: “Chubb has the experience, the expertise and the technology to offer a complete solution to fire safety in almost any situation. We are pleased tohave been able to respond to the specific needs of the Little Barford PowerStation, which delivers a crucial function within our utility network.”
The power station was built in 1994, commissioned in 1996, and has a generating capacity of 680MW, enough power to meet the electricity demands of over half a million people.