The Beetham West Tower, set to be Liverpool’s tallest building, is to be protected with a wet riser system and two sprinkler systems from Chubb Fire to protect the interior and basement car park.
The 40-storey building will the headquarters for property development and investment company, the Beetham Organisation. Designed by award winning architects Aedas, the mixed-use building has office space on the lower floors, and 120 apartments and seven penthouse apartments on the
higher levels.
One of the sprinkler systems is on level 34 in the Sky Bar and the second, a rather more complicated system, in the basement car park.
The building’s car park uses a revolving system that stacks cars into a small area, the design of which provides a challenge to fire safety. In order to reach every section of the car park, the sprinkler system has jet nozzles that direct water in all directions, rather than the traditional ‘fan heads’ which are designed to cover as much surface area as possible. The system uses heat sensors which react when the surrounding area rises above 68 degrees Celsius.”
“Wet risers are essential for fighting fires, providing a vital supply of water when it is needed most,” said Bruce McGowan of Chubb Fire. “A wet riser will typically be found in buildings over 60 metres above ground level and comprises a system of pipes and valves that are kept permanently charged with water. In this particular installation, there is an outlet valve on every floor to which the fire and rescue service can connect in the event of fire.”
Chubb Fire was awarded the contract for the new fire suppression solution through the mechanical and electrical contractors A&B Engineering. Chubb Fire has worked with A&B Engineering on a number of other high-profile contracts including the original Beetham Tower on Old Hall Street, and the Buddleia, a re-development of a Grade II listed warehouse in Liverpool’s historic Riverside dock area. It also teamed with A&B Engineering to protect Liverpool’s most recognisable landmark, the Royal Liver Building.
