Apollo Fire Detectors protect Leadenhall Market, City of London
An intelligent fire detection system based on Apollo
Discovery intelligent fire detectors and Kentec control technology
has been installed to protect Leadenhall Market in the City of
London. The Corporation of London, which owns the site, awarded the
project to FFE Fire & Security Limited.
The project posed a number of challenges: the fire detection
needed to take into account the site's Victorian architecture and
its function as a busy modern shopping arcade. In addition the
Market is not a single structure, but comprises a collection of
separate buildings with a common causeway between that is covered
with a glazed roof.
Site history
Leadenhall Market takes its name from the manor house around
which the original market was established in the early 14 th
century. It quickly became one of the best places in London to buy
meat, game, poultry, cheese and fish. In 1408 the occupational
leasehold title of the Manor of Leadenhall was passed to the Lord
Mayor - one Richard (Dick) Whittington - and the citizens of
London. The freehold was conveyed to the Corporation, which
continues to own the site, in 1411.
Other notable events include the partial destruction of the
market in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The current wrought
iron and glass structure was designed and constructed in 1881 by
city architect Horace Jones.
Today, Leadenhall Market offers a perfect balance between
conservation and contemporary commercial needs. The Corporation of
London has retained the original structure and Victorian detailing,
whilst encouraging retail diversity. Although quality meat and fish
traders continue to thrive, the market also offers fashionable
shops and modern cafés.
Fire detection requirements
The fire detection system is required to provide protection for
all the retail outlets, offices and communal covered walkways in
the market. The Corporation specified the use of Apollo intelligent
fire detection technology. FFE supplied and installed a fire
detection system designed around a Kentec Syncro four-loop central
control panel, complete with a 90 LED mimic panel to aid the Fire
Brigade with alarm location.
Colin Reeley, Corporation of London (centre), with Richard
Hackett of Kentec (left) and Ian Munns of FFE (right)
The communal walkways with their glass roof were a particular
challenge. The glazing is highly reflective and therefore the
environment is not suitable for beam detectors, which would
otherwise have been an obvious choice for protecting these open
spaces. In addition, Leadenhall Market is equipped with ornate
lighting suspended from the roof at intervals, which made the
location even more hostile for beam detectors. The Corporation
therefore decided that Apollo flame detectors were the best
solution.
The fire detection system is designed so that each building can
be evacuated individually or in sections (footprints), which
ensures minimum disruption to other buildings not affected by a
fire alert. However, a fire alert in the communal walkway triggers
a general evacuation of the site.
Related Products