In a project costing GB pound 4.5 million, The Shaymen’s East Stand has been completely transformed to include 3,500 seats and a fabulous new banqueting suite overlooking the pitch. An impressive array of changing rooms, Control Rooms, offices, shops and classrooms has also been created beneath the stand.
Linking it all together is SigNET’s powerful LS system. Featuring a state-of-the-art LCD touch screen, the LS is a highly sophisticated and effective VA, PA and background music system.
At its heart is the SS2N network station which allows the amplifiers, fire alarm interfaces, audio inputs and manual and automatic controllers to be distributed around the stadium.
In the event of an emergency, the system will evacuate the entire site. However, one of the most important end user features of the system is its use for day-to-day paging and music distribution.
Equipment, training and end user support
Steve Hutchinson of system installer Tate Security Technology explained: “LS is a truly exceptional product which was ideal for a complex site of this nature. The fact that SigNET’s products are all manufactured in the UK is a big selling point, as we need to be confident a company can provide not just the equipment but also the technical training and customer support a project of this type demands.”
Hutchinson added: “From initial design stage right through to installation and commissioning, SigNET handled the entire project very professionally.”
Other key considerations in the specification of the LS was its high reliability factor, compatibility with the XFP addressable fire alarm installed at the site, ease of front end operation and on-screen graphics via a high specification, PC-based touch screen.
“The system offers stadium security staff an ultimately simplistic fault alarm management diagnosis, and there’s no need for specialist bespoke software,” suggested Hutchinson.
Capacity for systems integration
The two C-TEC XFP networkable fire alarm control panels in operation at the site are installed in the main reception and the stadium’s matchday Control Room. These were specified for their reliability, user-friendliness and capacity for integration with the stand’s PA/VA system. One of SigNET’s SigTEL disabled refuge systems has also been fitted.
A Quantec addressable call system provides the disabled washrooms in the stadium with alarm facilities. “Quantec certainly gives staff peace of mind as they can be confident that any assistance alarms will be responded to on both match and non-match days,” outlined Hutchinson.
“The advantage Quantec has over conventional standalone systems is that it can be programmed to display specific address locations via clear well-lit displays. The system does not just consider localised audible and visual indication, but also manned areas where centralised assistance is given quickly as calls are identified clearly via a large LCD display.”
