Fire Alarm, PA/VA & EVC System Replacement at The Trafford Centre, Manchester.
Project Overview
The Trafford Centre, the third-largest shopping centre in the UK, boasting over 230 retail and food outlets, undertook a significant upgrade to its fire alarm, Public Address/Voice Alarm (PA/VA), and Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) systems. This project involved replacing and modernising aging infrastructure to ensure the safety and security of thousands of daily visitors and staff across the extensive 207,000 square meter retail environment.
Project Scope:
The project’s scope included the following key objectives:
Fire Detection System Upgrade:
- Replacement of the existing ADT Thorn 80 fire alarm system.
- The primary building areas retained their existing wiring, minimising disruption.
- A complete redesign and rewire of the fire alarm and PA/VA systems in the car park was required due to its environmental demands.
- Installation of the Advanced MXPro 5 fire alarm control panels with Apollo devices, designed to provide advance diagnostics, high-speed processing, and flexibility to support future expansions.
- This robust fire alarm system comprises 23 networked nodes with other 5,000 individual devices, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the centre’s numerous zones and public areas.
PA/VA System Upgrade:
- The PA/VA system upgrade involved replacing existing PA/VA racks and microphones while retaining the established speaker network and associated cabling.
- The Baldwin Boxall Vigil 3 PA/VA system was chosen for its reliability and compatibility with existing infrastructure. The new system includes 8 robust PA/VA racks, providing resilient audio communication and voice evacuation capabilities throughout the centre, including high-traffic areas and the parking facilities.
New EVC System Installation:
- An entirely new EVC (Emergency Voice Communication) system was introduced to meet current safety regulations and provide essential communication for people requiring assistance in emergency situations.
- The Baldwin Boxall Omnicare Plus EVC system, comprising 8 panels and over 100 call stations, was selected for its scalability, ease of use, and reliability in emergency communications. This installation enables direct communication with disabled refuge areas and fire-fighting points, providing vital support for people with limited mobility.
Challenges & Solutions
System Compatibility and Retrofitting
The project required integrating modern fire alarm, PA/VA and EVC systems with parts of the existing infrastructure, particularly the wiring and speakers. This challenge was mitigated by using modular, adaptable equipment (Advanced MXPro 5 and Baldwin Boxall Solutions) known for seamless interoperability.
Minimising Disruption in an Operational Shopping Centre
With high visitor numbers and busy retail operations, work had to be carefully scheduled to avoid disruption. Nighttime installations, phased rollouts, and strategic use of existing infrastructure minimised the impact on daily operations.
Car Park Challenges
The car park’s complete redesign and rewire posed unique structural and safety challenges. Detailed planning was essential to address complex wiring routes and environmental protection for equipment. The result was a resilient design that ensures robust emergency response capabilities in a demanding environment.
Futureproofing and Scalability
Given the scale and prominence of the Trafford Centre, the fire safety system needed to allow for future scalability and adaptability. The Advanced MXPro 5 fire alarm system and Baldwin Boxall PA/VA and EVC solutions were chosen for their capacity to grow with the centre’s evolving needs, ensuring long-term protection.
Outcomes:
The Trafford Centre now benefits from a fully upgraded fire and emergency communication infrastructure, designed to enhance safety for the public, tenants and staff. The installed systems provide:
- The Advanced MXPro 5’s rapid processing capability enables faster response time to fire incidents, reducing risks and improving safety outcomes.
- The upgraded Baldwin Boxall Vigil 3 PA/VA and Omnicare Plus EVC systems ensure clear, reliable communication for both general and emergency announcements, including dedicated channels for people with limited mobility.
- By reusing existing cabling where possible and deploying highly reliable equipment, the new systems reduce maintenance costs and downtime.
Conclusion:
This comprehensive replacement and upgrade of the fire alarm, PA/VA and EVC systems at The Trafford Centre underscored a commitment to safety and operational resilience. Through strategic planning, cutting-edge equipment, and careful integration, The Trafford Centre now sets a benchmark in fire safety and emergency preparedness for large commercial environments.