Introduction: Hotel Du Vin Hotel & Bistro Stratford Upon Havern, an elegantly refurbished historic building turned high-end hotel, stands as a prime example of blending modern luxury with historic charm. While providing a luxurious experience for its guests was a top priority, ensuring their safety was equally essential. This case study highlights the successful implementation of a state-of-the-art fire alarm system, specifically the Honeywell SMS range, with a specialist cause and effect strategy. The goal was to guarantee the highest level of safety for guests while minimizing disruptions through a phased evacuation process.
Challenges: Before the upgrade, the Hotel Du Vin Stratford Upon Havern’s fire alarm system faced several challenges:
- Historic Building: The hotel’s building, dating back to the 18th century, presented architectural challenges for installing a modern fire alarm system. Preserving the historic elements while ensuring compliance with safety regulations was a delicate balance.
- Guest Experience: The hotel’s reputation for high-end hospitality meant that any disruptions due to false alarms or emergency evacuations could be detrimental to guest satisfaction.
- Safety Compliance: Meeting BS5839 Pt1 with fully complaint EN54 equipment standards for fire detection and alarm systems was mandatory.
Solution: In response to these challenges, the management of Hotel Du Vin Hotel & Bistro Stratford Upon Havern decided to embrace the Honeywell SMS range, a system renowned for its reliability and adaptability. Key components of the solution included:
- Honeywell SMS Range: The Honeywell SMS range was selected due to its compliance with EN54 safety standards, particularly with its ceiling mounted VAD combined with its multi detection head. Making it a suitable choice for this high-end establishment. Its advanced capabilities allowed for precise detection and rapid response.
- Specialist Cause and Effect Programming: The new system was designed with a specialist cause and effect programming, allowing for customized responses to different alarm scenarios. This feature ensured that only relevant alarms would trigger, reducing false activations.
- Phased Evacuation Strategy: To minimize disruptions to guests, a phased evacuation strategy was developed. This system identified the location of the alarm and directed guests and staff to safe zones and exits, reducing panic and congestion during emergencies.
Implementation: The upgrade of the fire alarm system at Hotel Du Vin Hotel & Bistro Stratford Upon Havern was carried out in the following stages:
- Assessment and Planning: A thorough assessment of the hotel’s layout, including the historic elements, was conducted to determine the best locations for fire detection equipment and evacuation routes.
- System Installation: The Honeywell SMS range was installed with precision, including customized cause and effect programming. Visual Alarm Devices (VADs) were strategically placed to alert guests while minimizing noise.
- Testing and Certification: Rigorous testing was performed to ensure the system’s functionality and compliance with EN54 standards. Once the system was certified, staff were trained to respond effectively during emergencies.
- Phased Evacuation Plan: The phased evacuation plan was integrated into the system, with clear instructions for both guests and staff.
Results: Since the installation of the Honeywell SMS range and the implementation of the specialist cause and effect programming, Hotel Du Vin Hotel & Bistro Stratford Upon Havern has seen remarkable results:
- Zero False Activations: The new system has not experienced a single false activation within the first twelve months of operation, providing peace of mind for both guests and management.
- Enhanced Guest Safety: The customized cause and effect programming ensures that only relevant alarms trigger, which, in turn, has enhanced guest safety by minimizing false alarms.
- Minimized Disruption: The phased evacuation strategy has effectively reduced the disruption to guests during emergency situations. This has maintained the hotel’s reputation for providing a luxurious and peaceful stay.
Conclusion: The successful design and installation of the fire alarm system at Hotel Du Vin Hotel & Bistro Stratford Upon Havern, utilizing the Honeywell SMS range with specialist cause and effect programming, stands as a testament to the hotel’s commitment to safety and guest satisfaction. By achieving full EN54 compliance and ensuring zero false activations, the hotel has not only safeguarded its guests but also maintained its status as a top-tier establishment in Stratford Upon Havern.
