Xtralis’s fire safety system helps to prevent potential fires on Gatwick lifts

ICAM smoke detection solution provides reliable detection in a wide array of challenging environments

Xtralis, a leading provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats, announced that its ICAM aspirating smoke detection (ASD) system is being used to provide early warning fire detection in the lift shafts throughout London Gatwick Airport.

Lifts are a critical component of building infrastructure, particularly in busy passenger terminals. However, installing fire detection systems traditionally has been very difficult and costly with maintenance also being problematic since the lifts have to be shut down for the equipment to be serviced.

It was for these reasons that Xtralis partner Eurofyre recommended the use of the ICAM by Xtralis early warning fire detection units. The sampling pipes are installed within the lift shaft, but the actual ASD technology remains outside.

Eurofyre Director David Davies explains: "The installation works by actively drawing air through sampling holes in a network of pipes that is installed along the elevator shaft and in the elevator machine room. The air sample is then analysed by the ICAM unit that is placed within the machine room, ensuring ease of access for testing and maintenance."

ICAM ASDs can be connected to an existing fire alarm control panel or operate independently

ICAM ASDs can be connected to an existing fire alarm control panel or operate independently to provide alarm information via a relay output for local actions - to open or close smoke vents or alert an alarm monitoring station, for example.

The ICAM solution is deployed around the world in a variety of environments including data centres, manufacturing facilities, historic buildings and critical-infrastructure sites.

Watch a demo of Xtralis's  ICAM solution

"Our ICAM solution provides reliable detection in a wide array of challenging environments," says Mick Goodfellow, Xtralis Vice President for Sales in Europe. "Its unique ability to identify the location of the earliest presence of smoke makes it a compelling choice for today's fire safety professionals."

Gatwick Airport is the U.K.'s second-largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 200 destinations in 90 countries for around 33 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul, point-to-point services.

London Gatwick Airport is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners, a $5.6 billion independent investment firm that invests worldwide in infrastructure assets.