Honeywell systems ensure security and spectator safety in the new Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
(Press Release updated 4th November 1999)

The security of Cardiff’s new Millennium Stadium, and its visitors’ safety, are assured by advanced systems from Honeywell, the world’s leading provider of control technologies for buildings, homes, industry, space and aviation. Honeywell has completed a £2.8 million project, contracted by John Laing Construction, to supply and install systems for fire detection, security and CCTV (close circuit television) and PAVA (Public Address Voice Alarm), as well as a system for the hard of hearing, and distribution of radio, television, data and telephone.

Honeywell began work on the Millennium Stadium project in 1997 and has been involved at each stage, from evaluating the initial design brief, through value engineering, design and development of the most cost-effective solutions, then supplying, installing and commissioning the systems.

Honeywell has now commenced a comprehensive maintenance contract that includes first-line maintenance of the stadium’s mechanical, electrical, fire and CCTV systems. The scope ranges from fire and security maintenance to the routine servicing of boiler and air-conditioning. The contract provides the full-time services of a highly skilled Honeywell engineer, based at the stadium. Honeywell personnel ensure that the critical life safety equipment is maintained during Stadium events, which can range from rugby to pop concerts.

The Honeywell fire system at the stadium is fully addressable, linking 2383 devices into seven networked fire control panels. It includes an integrated fire telephone communication system in each of the stadium’s fire fighting stairs and on every level. An alarm initiated from any detector is displayed on all seven fire alarm panels. The user interface is a LAN (local area network) based PC system, which shows graphically the exact location of a device in alarm. The system provides L1 cover to BS5839 and EN54 regulations.

The fire system can operate manually or fully automatically to initiate evacuation of the public. The system’s "voice" is a PAVA system providing emergency announcements (including instructions for evacuation) and other pre-recorded messages.

The security system is based on a Honeywell Excel Security Manager (XSM) with 70 zones. This PC-based system protects the stadium from unauthorised entry on levels 1, 2 and 3. It uses numerous door contacts and passive infra-red detectors (PIRs) to detect intruders. The XSM interfaces with the CCTV system so that a camera is repositioned automatically to show the area of a security breach.

The CCTV system was developed by Honeywell in consultation with the Stadium safety committee, the local police authority and the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds ("The Green Guide"). It has 60 cameras, of which six cover the arena (bowl) area, and can be operated, from control rooms on levels one or five.

The Hard of Hearing system is the first of its kind in the UK to operate on dedicated radio frequencies allocated by the RCA and has EMC certification. The system provides an audio feed appropriate to the event (such as a radio commentary) and is interrupted automatically to carry essential emergency messages from the public address system. Initially, the system has provision for 200 receiver units, which are loaned to the public as required. Elements of this versatile, programmable system ensures that there are no seating restrictions in the arena for the hearing impaired spectators.

The PAVA system has 1600 speakers covering the entire stadium complex and complies fully with BS5839, BS7443 and BS7827. It is distributed and operated digitally from either control room. The system features a touch screen facility so that areas of the stadium can be paged with safety and other information, as appropriate.

The radio/TV distribution system comprises 210 outlets. The press areas, home and away changing rooms, banqueting suites and all the Stadium’s 125 private boxes have radio/TV outlets capable of providing terrestrial and satellite broadcasts. The rear of the lowest terrace is fitted with TV outlets to enhance spectators’ enjoyment.

To interconnect all the points associated with the various systems, Honeywell has installed a structured cabling system for voice and data, with a fibre-optic backbone interconnecting 15 communications rooms within the Stadium complex. These rooms house Honeywell’s apparatus and cable distribution frames that provide complete flexibility of configuration.

Web: www.honeywell.com