The planned power management system, specified and installed by Guestkey, will comprise some 500 MX40QZ and 500 FX-360 devices from Optex Europe.
The system has been designed to detect when somebody enters a guest room and maintain power for the duration that the room is occupied. When the guest leaves the room, the system turns off the power except to essential items.
The MX series from Optex combines microwave and PIR technologies in “easy-to-install” compact units, and features patented Anti-Crosstalk Technology designed to prevent false alarms caused by microwave interference when several sensors are operating in the same area.
The FX-360 ceiling mount detector offers 360 degree detection and also incorporates false alarm protection technologies.
Pre-installation trial
According to the director of engineering at Grosvenor House – who wished to remain nameless, for some reason – the products were trialled prior to installation.
He said: “Optex was recommended to us as manufacturing excellent detectors, so we installed the devices in two rooms on trial for 18 months and had no problems whatsoever; the devices performed very well.
“The system not only reduces our utility costs, but is also energy-saving and thus environmentally friendly, reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint. The light on the devices can also be switched off so as not to disturb guests who are trying to sleep.”
Grosvenor House is a historic building and has been frequented by royalty, celebrities and business leaders since its opening in 1929.
Approximately 80% of the guest rooms in the hotel have currently had the Optex equipment installed, and Guestkey will be completing the installation over the next few weeks.
Reliable and accurate
Tony Marsden, managing director of Guestkey, said: “We specified Optex products for this contract because we have previously used them at another hotel installation and they were very reliable and accurate; in theory, that should be common to all PIRs but unfortunately it’s not.
“We completed exhaustive tests in order to establish which products would work best in this situation, and the Optex devices were chosen for their wide coverage and reliability. They’ve also been straightforward and quick to install.”
Guestkey Limited was formed in the 1990s and specialises in access control technology for any industry sector but particularly hotels and hospitality. Guestkey currently has systems operating around the world, including premier installations in hotels in London, Paris, Barcelona and New York.
