Apollo Fire Detectors protect Leadenhall Market Apollo Fire ...

Apollo Fire
Detectors protect
Leadenhall Market
An intelligent fire detection system based on
Apollo Discovery intelligent fire detectors and
Kentec control technology has been installed
to protect Leadenhall Market in the City of
London. The Corporation of London, which
owns the site, awarded the project to FFE Fire
& Security Limited.
The project posed a number of challenges: the
fire detection needed to take into account the
site’s Victorian architecture and its function as
a busy modern shopping arcade. In addition the
Market is not a single structure, but comprises a
collection of separate buildings with a common
causeway between that is covered with a glazed
roof.
Site history
Leadenhall Market takes its name from the
manor house around which the original market
was established in the early 14th century. It
quickly became one of the best places in London
to buy meat, game, poultry, cheese and fish. In
1408 the occupational leasehold title of the
Manor of Leadenhall was passed to the Lord
Mayor - one Richard (Dick) Whittington - and the
citizens of London. The freehold was conveyed
to the Corporation, which continues to own the
site, in 1411.
Other notable events include the partial
destruction of the market in the Great Fire of
London in 1666. The current wrought iron and
glass structure was designed and constructed in
1881 by city architect Horace Jones.
Today, Leadenhall Market offers a perfect balance
between conservation and contemporary
commercial needs. The Corporation of London
has retained the original structure and Victorian
detailing, whilst encouraging retail diversity.
Although quality meat and fish traders continue
to thrive, the market also offers fashionable
shops and modern cafés.
Fire detection requirements
The fire detection system is required to provide
protection for all the retail outlets, offices and
communal covered walkways in the market. The
Corporation specified the use of Apollo intelligent
fire detection technology. FFE supplied and
installed a fire detection system designed
around a Kentec Syncro four-loop central con-
fire & hazard protection
Colin Reely, Corporation of London
(centre) with Richard Hackett of
Kentec (left) and Ian Munns of FFE (right)
trol panel, complete with a 90 LED mimic panel
to aid the Fire Brigade with alarm location.
The communal walkways with their glass roof
were a particular challenge. The glazing is highly
reflective and therefore the environment is
not suitable for beam detectors, which would
otherwise have been an obvious choice for protecting
these open spaces. In addition,
Leadenhall Market is equipped with ornate lighting
suspended from the roof at intervals, which
made the location even more hostile for beam
detectors. The Corporation therefore decided
that Apollo flame detectors were the best solution.
The fire detection system is designed so that
each building can be evacuated individually or
in sections (footprints), which ensures minimum
disruption to other buildings not affected by a
fire alert. However, a fire alert in the communal
walkway triggers a general evacuation of the
site.
An intelligent fire detection system based on
Apollo Discovery fire detectors has been
installed to protect Leadenhall Market in the
City of London. Reader Reply No.: 85044