As part of a fire detection system upgrade, Apollo Fire Detectors’ devices were chosen to protect the exclusive Desroches Island Resort Hotel. The resort forms part of the Amirantes group of islands — a remote coral atoll approximately 230 km southwest of Mahé in the Seychelles.
Desroches is approximately 6 km long, 1 km wide and boasts 14 km of immaculate white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. This environmentally-conscious island is one of the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean and is only accessible by light aircraft.
The project to upgrade the luxurious resort with beach suites and villas was undertaken by Green Island Construction Company Ltd. Manser Saxon from Mauritius carried out the installation of a Technoswitch fire detection solution. With over 40 luxury villas and main buildings scattered around the island to create privacy for guests, the intelligent fire detection system was planned around a fibre optic backbone, linking various groups of buildings together via considerable lengths of hidden network cabling.
The installation came with a number of challenges, most notably the remoteness of the location, which meant that planning had to be well thought out, with equipment, consumables and personnel available in order to meet project timelines. The tropical environment raised more challenges with its harsh exposure to the sun and sea air.
The fire protection system not only needed to connect the lodges and buildings nestled amongst the trees, but also needed to be highly responsive and easy to monitor so that a rapid response was possible in the event of a fire.
Apollo products were chosen for their durability, reliability, aesthetics and excellent warranty terms. More than 1,100 Apollo XP95 devices were installed in over 40 lodges and the hospitality and service areas of the resort. The smoke and heat detectors, manual call points and sounder beacons perfectly complemented the chosen Advanced 2 and 4 loop intelligent control panels and TouchControl Remote Terminals.
From the company’s headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, Chris Tarbuck, Technoswitch’s Exports Sales Manager, said: “This was a complex and challenging project, with no margin for error. The system we supplied had to be perfectly fit-for-purpose and able to withstand high humidity, sea air, dust and temperature variations on the island. We were confident that the XP95 range of detectors installed would be compatible with the conditions and the exacting aesthetics of this luxury resort.
“With false alarms potentially causing a major problem on a remote holiday island, we could confidently reassure our client that the robust fire detection system we designed would satisfy their requirements for absolute reliability and an aesthetically pleasing appearance, keeping hotel guests safe while they enjoy their break.”
For more information, go to www.apollo-fire.co.uk
