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Customer success story

Hyderabad International
Convention Centre Cyberabad Convention Centre
Private Limited

India’s largest convention centre finds a smoke Location: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

detection system to protect their huge, www.hicc.com

15m high central hall Industry

Conventions & exhibits
Products used
VESDA LaserSCANNER detectors

The challenge
The Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) is the largest
convention centre in India. It is South Asia’s first truly world class convention
centre located in Hyderabad- the burgeoning business hub of India. Designed
for events of 50 to 5000 attendees, the HICC offers state-of-the-art facilities that
are comparable to the world’s best convention centers.
Opened in 2006, the HICC has a pillar-free internal hall measuring 6,480 square
meters, with a 15m ceiling height. The hall can be partitioned into six smaller
halls with the use of moveable walls.
During a convention, exhibition or other event the building will contain many
people unfamiliar with the building layout. The HICC also contains millions of
dollars of assets. Deaths, injuries and losses due to a fire in such environment
would be catastrophic. The building’s designers recognised the need for reliable
and very early smoke detection system for the large open space.
But smoke detection in such a large open space is problematic. Smoke in a
large open area will be highly diluted as it moves through the space, an effect
compounded by air conditioning systems.
Smoke stratifies into a mushroom cloud in a such a large volume area. It may
never reach a spot-type smoke detector installed on the ceiling.
Traditional smoke detection systems are not sensitive enough to detect smoke
in large spaces unless the fire is already very large, creating sufficient heat and
smoke. With smoke drifting with air drafts as it rises, addressability of smoke
detectors is of little value in one large space.
Reaching smoke detectors installed on the ceiling is also difficult. Maintenance
activities may require access equipment such as scissor lifts or scaffolding.
It may also mean temporarily closing the venue or paying maintenance staff
overtime.
 ...Customer success story

With all these considerations the designers quickly ruled out the use of
traditional spot-type detectors and beam detectors and searched for a more
sophisticated smoke detection solution.

The solution
A VESDA smoke detection system proved ideal for the HICC. Installed in
convention centres around the world, including the Millennium Dome in London,
the Hong Kong Airport and the Sydney SuperDome, VESDA detectors are
proven to work in such large open spaces.
VESDA air sampling smoke detectors work by actively pulling air through a
network of pipes, back to a detector. This in contrast to spot-type detectors
that passively wait for the smoke to reach them. VESDA air sampling smoke
detection can be installed where the smoke will go, providing very early warning
of a fire. This is critical in large open spaces where the smoke may form a layer
some distance below ceiling level. VESDA sampling pipes installed vertically
down the walls will draw this smoke back to the detector.
The smoke detection design for the HICC consists of 10 x VESDA
LaserSCANNER detectors, protecting the entire convention centre. The
detectors are conveniently located at the entrance of the ceiling catwalks, The VESDA detectors are installed
allowing easy maintenance access. VESDA Remote displays are installed at at the entrance of the catwalk, 12m
the Building Management System room. This allows operators in the room to above the ground. They can be
monitor smoke levels and check any alarms. The VESDA detectors are also easily accessed for maintenance
integrated with a Siemens Fire Alarm Control Panel and the Siemens Building and testing.
Management System.

The results
During the first 12 months of operation, the VESDA system has twice detected
very low levels of smoke in the convention hall.
With the VESDA system supplying such early warning and a response plan
detailing the appropriate action for the level of threat detected, the source of the
smoke could be found and fixed without disrupting any events taking place at
the time.
HICC management have also enjoyed the low maintenance costs of the VESDA
system. With the detector unit installed on the easily accessible catwalks,
testing and maintaining the units is easy. The sampling pipe network installed in
less accessible places is virtually maintenance-free.
Ajay Kumar, HICC Chief of Security, commented on the state of the art risk
management systems installed in the center: “We monitor movements of people
and vehicles through physical security and CCTVs. We use metal detectors
during special events. Fire alarm panels, smoke detectors, VESDA systems
that are sensitive to smoke for halls, fire protection system, PA system, etc are
inherent to modern day hotels.”

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