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| Honeywell voice alarm system allow for "smart evacuation" procedures |
Honeywell announced that it has been awarded a $21.7 million (13.2 million pounds Sterling) contract to provide Heathrow's new Terminal 2 with an integrated fire safety, public address and voice alarm system, along with advanced lighting controls and building management systems covering mechanical and electrical operations.
"We are working closely with Heathrow to ensure that passengers passing through the terminal have an enjoyable experience," explained Paul Boyce, project leader for Honeywell Building Solutions. "From the moment they enter the facility until they leave for their visit in England or board their flight for their ultimate destination, our systems will ensure they remain informed, comfortable and safe at all times."
Honeywell's integrated fire detection, public address and voice alarm system allows for "smart evacuation" procedures in the case of emergency. Clear, intelligible voice alarm messages are transmitted by loudspeaker in affected areas only, making evacuations quick and controlled. The system also communicates non-emergency and live flight announcements through the same individually-addressable speakers, enabling each communication to target the intended audience.
Passenger comfort and energy savings were built into the design of Terminal 2, which uses natural light to help save energy. Honeywell's advanced lighting controls will maintain comfortable light levels indoors, continuously adapting to changes in outside weather and lighting conditions. At the same time, the building management system will monitor the terminal's mechanical and electrical services to ensure that plant and equipment operate at optimum efficiency.
Main contractor HETCo — a joint venture between Ferrovial Agroman and Laing O'Rourke — awarded the contract to Honeywell following the successful completion of the largest integrated fire detection, voice alarm and public address system ever installed in the world to date, now operational at Heathrow's Terminal 5.
"Honeywell demonstrated that it has the project management and delivery expertise to implement a project of this size and scope," said Daniel Garcia-Bernalt, HETCo project leader at Heathrow. "The innovative technology fulfils the safety requirements and passenger expectations of a modern airport, while maximizing operational performance to enable efficient energy use and achieve substantial carbon savings."
Terminal 2 will be one of the most modern airport terminals in the world and the home for the Star Alliance group of airlines. An estimated 20 million passengers a year will enjoy greater levels of service and better facilities than ever before across 230,000 square meters of floor space, including self-service check-in machines, fast-bag drops and fifteen security search lanes to speed up the departure process.
