Abu Dhabi's new aviation fuel depot gets Advanced protection

20 May 2015

A multi-million dollar extension to one of the highest risk areas of Abu Dhabi International Airport is being protected by an industry-leading Axis AX fire system from Advanced.

A multi-million dollar extension to one of the most high-risk areas of Abu Dhabi International Airport is being protected by an industry-leading Axis AX fire system from Advanced.

Abu Dhabi International is one of the fastest growing airports in the world and Advanced’s Axis AX system covers a new extension to the aviation fuel depot on site.

The new depot is a key part of the wider expansion of the airport and, as it is used to handle jet fuel, requires a high quality UL864 approved fire system. Advanced’s Axis AX system was selected as it offered the highest quality and reliability standards, while also allowing redundant communication with the existing system in the rest of the facility.

The new fire system covers control rooms, office buildings, substations and operational areas. It comprises five Axis AX 4-loop panels, BACnet BMS integration and over 300 individual components and devices.

The system was supplied by Telectron, Advanced’s partner in Abu Dhabi. Vinayan Kizhathodi, spokesperson for Telectron, commented: “Fire safety is a vital component in any building, but even more so when that building is used for the storage and distribution of aircraft fuel. Everything about this building is of the highest quality and we felt that Axis AX panels from Advanced were the obvious choice to recommend to the client, given their track record of quality and reliability.”

The Axis AX panels supplied by Advanced are networked together in a fault-tolerant, ‘ring network’ and then interfaced to a Programmable Logic Circuit (PLC) using redundant communication. Optical smoke detectors are specified in the main buildings, while flame and gas detectors are being used in operational areas, interfacing directly with the PLC.

Steve Carroll, General Manager for Advanced in the Middle East, said: “The performance, capabilities and reliability of the Axis AX system makes it ideal for this type of installation. While all buildings require modern fire systems to safeguard people and property it is clearly more important when flammable substances are being handled on a daily basis. We worked closely with Telectron and the main contractors to specify a system that will meet the rigorous standards required and offer the option to upgrade or expand in the future.”

Advanced’s Axis AX system has been designed to offer enhanced power and performance in a user-friendly format, offering a vast range of configuration, control and interface option all with simple set-up and operation and Advanced’s legendary service and quality. The Axis AX systems includes easily networked panels, audio panels and command centres, redundant controllers and a huge range of peripherals, devices and interfaces that make it ideal for almost any installation.

A spokesperson for ADNOC FOD, the owner and operator of Abu Dhabi International Airport, said: “Safety is paramount right across the airport, and even more so in the tightly controlled environment of the aviation fuel depot. We have been extremely pleased with the performance and adaptability of the Advanced Axis AX system that was specified for the new extension and feedback from staff, relating to programming and usability, has also been very positive.”