Leading UK specialist demolition contractor Keltbray is ensuring the safety of its staff and visitors at one of the world’s largest deconstruction projects with a wireless emergency system (WES+) from Ramtech Electronics.

The Earls Court exhibition halls are being demolished to make way for Capital & Counties new development of 7,500 homes, a new park and over £450 million of community benefits. Keltbray began the demolition by specifying a WES+ wireless fire alarm that was subsequently mounted on its wheeled fire stations.

A total of 64 call points and 64 automatic heat and smoke detectors from Ramtech Electronics are now fixed to the wheeled fire stations, which are positioned around the site. All the units are connected wirelessly to a central, monitoring base station. Simple, effective and easy to set up, this ‘trolley-ed’ approach was only possible because the company’s fire alarm system utilises wireless technology and is totally battery powered.

“We were aware that WES+ had a number of unique features but what really stood out for us is that Ramtech Electronics specialises in wireless systems, which meant that the units could be easily repositioned without the need for specialist trades,” said Nizelda Pretorius, Project Systems Manager at Keltbray. “We mounted the fire call points along with the active heat and smoke detectors on our existing wheeled fire stations. Now all we have to do is simply wheel them to a new position as demolition progresses, and there is no need to worry about wires.”

Another important reason why Keltbray specified WES+ was because it is the only wireless fire alarm system currently available that is specifically engineered – and independently tested and approved – to comply with EN54 and therefore with the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR). EN54 is the harmonised standard relating to fire detection and fire alarm systems.

The three-year battery life on the WES+ units will reduce changeover times for Keltbray too, helping them meet the strict schedule on this vast project.  This extended three-year battery reduces replacement costs and labour requirement, whilst helping with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation.

Nizelda added: “The risk of fire on both demolition and new construction sites is an ever present danger. However, we are always confident that the network automatically connects to the monitoring base station wherever we position the units around the site.”

Dual anti-tamper features and latest technology incorporated into WES+ helps eliminate false alarms, whilst a silent test facility improves site efficiency. Once the project is completed, Keltbray will simply transfer the units to their next demolition, making it a very cost effective solution.

“On a project like Earls Court we needed a fire alarm system that is capable of covering this vast site,” said Bobby Gannon, Site Manager at Earls Court. “The interconnecting radio units made WES+ an easily scalable system. As a company we place the safety of our staff above all else and we have complete confidence in WES+.”

WES+ is the latest innovative new wireless fire alarm to be developed by Ramtech Electronics and is a culmination of the company’s 25 year heritage in creating radio technologies designed specifically for the construction industry.

“The demolition of Earls Court is a large and complex project, yet it highlights the adaptability of our wireless technology on both demolition and new build sites,” said Paul Henson, Sales and Marketing Director at Ramtech Electronics. “By investing in our wireless fire alarm system, Keltbray is protecting its staff, visitors and surrounding assets from fire.”

To ensure your site has the best possible protection for workers and assets, whilst complying with the new EN54 standard, call the WES+ helpline on: 00 44 (0) 115 822 3424, or visit: www.wesfire.co.uk