Portsmouth Guildhall, which dates back to 1890, has been fitted with a fire solution by Apollo.

Portsmouth's Guildhall is protected by Apollo

Specified by Christie Intruder Alarms, Apollo fire detection technology has been installed throughout the historic building.

Once the town hall, the Guildhall is now used as an entertainment and conference centre as well as housing the town’s coroner’s office, the council chamber and mayoral suite.

Apollo’s analogue addressable XP95 and Discovery devices form the basis of the fire protection system following a brief by Portsmouth City Council that highlighted the need for smoke detectors able to distinguish performance pyrotechnics from real fire. 

A number of 600 XP95 devices were used to protect the main areas of the building, while Apollo’s Discovery ionisation detectors were used in areas where smoke entrainment might occur.

Beam detectors were used in the auditorium roof, high level plant rooms and the council chamber. Apollo’s wireless XPander range was installed in the building’s heritage areas, complying with architectural considerations for the building.

The system, configured in 32 zones, is controlled by an eight-loop Advanced Electronics MX 400 control panel. It is monitored at the ground floor reception and by front of house staff during functions.

Smoke detectors in the auditorium have been made with key switches that allow persons in charge to choose ‘heat only’ mode when smoke generators are in use.

The system is also interfaced with a Scope emergency pager system which is designed to alert staff if an alarm is raised and which is able to transmit information about the alarm zone and device operated. This has been set up to enable staff to investigate incidents and avoid unnecessary disruption to the building’s occupants, Apollo said.

Bryan Pope, Portsmouth City Council’s fire advisor, said: “I was concerned by the occasional lateral spread of smoke to areas around the auditorium and the need to mitigate disruption to those attending a concert and other building users. The new system had to be flexible without compromising the safety of the building or its occupants.”

Following completion of the project, the Council has said it is to replace the fire detection and alarm system in the nearby civic office with Apollo technology.