Willis Aviation Services Limited needed a fire safety solution for their commercial aviation spaces. With high-flammable materials and precious assets at risk, Hochiki's FIRElink aspirating detection and ESP intelligent devices helped deliver premium protection.
Covering 45,000 sqm of offices, workshops and aircraft hangars, Willis Aviation Service Ltd needed a compliant and extensive fire protection solution for their specialised spaces in Hangars 7 and 8 at Teesside International Airport. Hochiki partnered with Middlesbrough-based security specialists, Render Alarms to deliver a bespoke solution tailored to this unique aviation environment.
Hangar 7 and 8 at Teesside International Airport is a two floor, double commercial airplane hangar with office accommodation to the front, assisting third-party aircraft owners with space to maintain, care and store their flight vehicles. The aviation sector combines highly flammable materials and electrical components, heightening the potential of a large-scale fire. For this application, complete and extensive fire detection was non-negotiable.
The main system used was Hochiki's ESP Intelligent system. Hochiki's ESP range operates on an open protocol ensuring unparalleled flexibility in adapting to the changing needs of the site. The entire ESP range is third-party accredited and has been designed to meet all requirements of BS 5839-1 2025.
Render Alarms strategically chose devices specifically for each area of the hangar based on application. The office spaces needed comprehensive protection for the 50 occupants working there, which is why standard ESP smoke and heat sensors were installed. The smoke sensors incorporate a distinctive high-performance chamber, equally sensitive to a range of smoke types and allowing the threshold level to be adjusted, efficiently reducing the susceptibility of false alarms. Minimising frequent false alarms can mitigate ‘alarm fatigue’, guaranteeing that staff take alarms seriously, and appropriately respond to any genuine, escalating emergency.
With the configuration and structural complexity of the beams in the void, traditional detection devices would have been impractical and costly. Hochiki's FIRElink ASD was a practical solution to detecting smoke in this intricate environment. Initially, it would have taken three times the number of detectors to fully protect the void. However, Hochiki's FIRElink uses sampling pipes to provide a targeted, large-scale solution for detecting smoke in hard-to-reach areas. Its centralised control system simplifies maintenance by showing real-time faults, while its unique laser sensing technology reduces false alarms by discriminating against dust. The Hochiki FIRElink was a cost-effective, tailored solution to protect this distinct environment.
Mick Hall, Hochiki’s Regional Sales Manager for the North, supported the project, using PipeCad software to calculate the hole sizes verify the design of the aspirating system, calculating the pipe network.
“The use of PipeCad software ensured that the design of the pipe network was compliant and the Hochiki FIRElink can accurately identify smoke in complex and extensive spaces. The FIRElink range provides a complete solution to the most problematic environments, using its unique identification technology to deliver precise smoke recognition and detection. This level of accuracy provides staff with confidence, reduces downtime and consistently maintains a high level of fire safety.”
