Protecting Airline Caterers from Fire Catastrophes

Gate Gourmet uses VESDA Air Sampling Smoke Detection System

16/06/2004 - The sausage sizzles. The steaks broil. The vegetables braise. Smoke begins to rise in the catering warehouse, undetected, until the smolder erupts into a full-blown fire.

To protect kitchen facilities and a food warehouse from fire events, Xtralis Pty Ltd offers VESDA, a smoke detection system that uses laser-based air sampling technology to reliably detect smoke at the earliest, pre-combustion stage. VESDA provides the widest window of opportunity to detect and control the spread of fire, and can be customized specifically for the needs of most occupancies.

VESDA's reliability, modularity and easy maintenance led Gate Gourmet, one of the world's leading airline catering companies, to install VESDA in a new facility that serves many of the major airlines at the John F. Kennedy Airport.

The 75000 square-foot warehouse includes a multi-million dollar kitchen with preparation and cooking equipment, large storage area as well as a few temperature-controlled freezers. The converted aircraft hangar has the capacity to produce up to 30000 meals per day.

Prior to the January 6, 2003 opening, the company worked with the Nassau County Fire Marshal to determine what type of smoke detection system to install. The combination of 40 foot building height, beam pockets created by the structural steel beams, and numerous drop ceiling voids, posed some design challenges to using traditional smoke detection strategies. Accessibility for testing and maintenance of the smoke detectors was also cited as a concern of the local authority.

Gate Gourmet worked with Safety Consultants, a local Engineered Systems VESDA Distributor, to select, design, and install a system that would alleviate the Fire Marshal's concerns. Safety Consultants determined that the VESDA Air Sampling Smoke Detection System would provide the best protection for the facility.

"We chose VESDA because it offers the most reliable smoke detection system on the market today. It is user friendly and incorporates a robust network that can be woven to produce advanced fire and smoke detection solutions," said Luis Gonzalez, business development manager for Safety Consultants. "The system is fully integrated and monitored by the facility's fire alarm system. The VESDA line of smoke detectors consistently exceed the performance requirements of most risks."

According to David Estrela, Regional Manager for Xtralis Pty Ltd, "Eight Scanner type detectors were installed, allowing the entire area to be sampled. VESDA LaserScanners have the added ability to identify which air sampling pipe sector is in alarm thereby assisting in pinpointing the area of the origin of the fire, allowing for evacuation and notification of the local fire department. Centrally located remote display units are networked to all the detectors providing the first responders real-time information on the location and status of any alarm or trouble condition from all of the detectors."

The VESDA Advantage

VESDA's advanced smoke detection technology addresses the unique configurations of size, height, obstructions, airflow, need for very early warning, and cost considerations. One VESDA detector replaces many traditional smoke detectors. Programmable alarm thresholds address the problems of external pollution and airflow, which can cause false alarms. Detectors are easily accessible and centrally located, allowing for servicing and maintenance of the system without the need for ladders. The level of response can provide the earliest opportunity for fire investigation. The system also interfaces with standard fire alarm control panels.

The VESDA system uses pipe modeling software, ASPIRE, to tailor the sampling pipe network to each structure. The pipe network is a crucial element of an air sampling smoke detection system, and the software allows modeling during the design phase. The software predicts the performance of the proposed pipe network, providing a cost-effective means of developing the optimum pipe system for a particular structure.

About Xtralis Pty Ltd

Xtralis Pty Ltd is a global leader in very early warning smoke detection systems and sophisticated video-based security solutions. Xtralis products protect high-value, business-critical assets across the world. Xtralis operates a global network of companies in Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom and the Americas, including 13 offices across North America. Xtralis brands include VESDA^® and ADPRO^®.

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