- 500 smoke detectors installed in a ring topology integrated in ring lights
- Choice of detectors was made on the basis of its high reliability, performance and the physical design
One of the world's foremost carmakers, the BMW Group, has installed a state-of-the-art fire alarm system provided by Bosch Security Systems in its world headquarters building in Munich. The installation is part of a refurbishment of the building that took place between 2004 and 2006. Completed in 1972, the building is noted for its distinctive architecture and design called 'Vierzylinder', resembling a four-cylinder car engine and comprising four vertical cylinders standing next to and across from each other.
The refurbishment brought the building's heating, ventilation, electrical, sanitary, and safety and security facilities up to modern standards. With respect to the safety and security measures, the BMW Group installed more than 500 Bosch smoke detectors 500 Series in a ring topology integrated in ring lights. The choice of this type of detector was made, not only on the basis of its high reliability and performance, but also because of the physical design.
The detectors are flush-mounted in the building's ceilings and color-matched to suit specific areas so that they are virtually invisible. The detectors use a virtual measuring chamber, through monitoring two independent light areas in open space. Those installed in the 'Vierzylinder' building also include a gas sensor for detecting carbon monoxide. All sensor signals are continually analyzed by the built-in signal evaluation electronics and interlinked through algorithms. Linking the optical and CO sensors means that an alarm will only be triggered if the signal combination corresponds with the detector's characteristic diagram.
