Xtralis Smoke Detection System Protecting Heathrow Airport Terminal

  • Dec 08, 2008

Xtralis, a provider of intelligent fire detection and security solutions, recently announced that its VESDA Very Early Warning Aspirating Smoke Detection system has been chosen by BAA to help ensure the safe transit of passengers through the baggage halls of the recently opened Heathrow Terminal 5 in London.

BAA’s Heathrow Terminal 5 is the largest single-span structure in the United Kingdom and is designed to accommodate 30 million passengers annually. T5 houses one of the most advanced baggage systems in the world, containing more than 17 kilometers of conveyer belts.

To effectively protect passengers and their luggage, BAA needed an early warning smoke detection system that would operate effectively in the cavernous spaces of T5. In addition, BAA sought a solution that could be maintained at low costs and with minimal disruption to operations.

The Xtralis VESDA solution was specified for its advantages over conventional point or beam detection systems in protecting large open spaces. Xtralis VESDA constantly samples the air for even the smallest of smoke particles, preventing a small fire from becoming a major incident. VESDA pipe work can be placed where the smoke is most likely to go and the detectors can be maintained at ground level, making it possible to conduct smoke detector maintenance without the need to raise scaffolding or cause disruption to the running of the airport.

“We are delighted that Xtralis VESDA is providing Heathrow Terminal 5 with superior very early warning detection to keep travelers, baggage handlers and baggage safe from smoke and fire damage,” said Samir Samhouri, president and CEO of Xtralis. “Our VESDA solution provides absolute detection in a wide array of environments -- from coal mines to clean rooms and from airports and atriums to confined prison cells. VESDA's unique ability to detect the earliest presence of smoke in these varied applications makes is the solution of choice for today’s fire safety professionals.”

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3