Situated on the Greenwich Peninsula, The O2 is London’s state-of-the-art music, sport and entertainment destination. An iconic site, the arena, situated at the centre of the space, can hold a crowd of up to 20,000 people.
This world-class music venue is surrounded by an Entertainment Avenue hosting attractions such as an 11-screen cinema, exhibition spaces, a smaller, live music venue, restaurants, bars and cafes.
The O2 is the first destination of its kind in the UK and is equivalent in size to 12 football pitches. In a space so vast, with the potential to be densely occupied, first class security and fire protection is a necessity.
Contractors, Sir Robert McAlpine enlisted ADT to fulfil this vital and challenging brief and the company met the challenge head on, to supply an operationally robust fire and security system within a tight timeframe. Security needed to be discreet but effective. Those managing the venue needed an overview of it whilst ensuring visitors enjoyed it in a safe and secure way.
Advanced pyrotechnics
The fire detection systems also needed to operate in a unique environment, particularly in the concert arena. The music venue is home to a sound system pumping out 650,000 watts . Added to that, the shows taking place use increasingly advanced pyrotechnic, light and atmospheric displays.
ADT has delivered solutions that meet these requirements. It has installed CCTV cameras in all areas of Peninsula Square that feed into The O2 Operations Room, giving operators clear sight of all areas of the Entertainment Avenue from the entrance at Peninsula Square to the inside of the arena bowl.
Discreetly placed, the cameras monitor the site for any unusual behaviour as well as providing valuable data for evacuations. The CCTV system is supported by access control doors where necessary.
Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA) has been installed in the arena and concourses. In a concert environment, VESDA can distinguish between smoke particles given off as part of a show (e.g. pyrotechnic displays and dry ice) and smoke as a result of a fire and alert The O2 Operations Room accordingly.
This system is supported by call points and detection around The O2 and voice activated alerts.
These alerts are connected to the extensive sound system informing visitors what they need to do in the event of a fire. The system has also been designed so that the voice activated alerts can operate independently of each other, evacuating areas, if needed, in an orderly and controlled way.
AEG Europe and its sub-contractors Sir Robert McAlpine set an ambitious target of less than three years to finish what has been the UK’s largest development project in the last few years. It has been working, on target, delivering high quality technology to this timeframe that has been ADT’s biggest success.
Difficult deadlines
In order to achieve the completion date ADT managed deadlines scrupulously. This involved the coordination of a team of over 80 subcontractors (totalling more than 2,000 workers) along with 120 of ADT’s own staff working to install more than 5,000 pieces of equipment. Since January 2006, ADT has invested more than 44,000 man days on the site. Originally commissioned to provide and manage installation of fire and electronic security systems for the arena space only, ADT’s ability to work to a tight timeframe and manage its contractor base effectively, secured further projects in the Entertainment Avenue and Waterfront area bringing the total contract value to more than GB pound 7m.
Tony Harris, Managing Director of ADT UK, explains the objectives of the project: “The O2 brief was about providing a solution which was reliable and discreet allowing visitors to have a safe and secure experience at the venue.
“In addition to successfully installing innovative technology into this unique and substantial space, our ability to manage the network of complex relationships was vital in ensuring a successful outcome. We are delighted to have been part of what is destined to become a leisure and hospitality experience unparalleled in Europe.”
David Campbell, President and CEO of AEG Europe, added: “The O2 is the UK’s most exciting and technically advanced music, sports and entertainment destination. ADT has played an important part in helping us to achieve this by delivering a safety and security solution that plays a vital role in enhancing The O2 customer experience.”
