The newly opened pits and paddock complex at Silverstone cost £27 million and was built after the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), which owns the venue in Northamptonshire, signed a 17-year contract to host the British Grand Prix. Upgrading the pits was part of the deal and the building was opened during May, in good time for the centerpiece race on 10th July.
Ateis UK supplied the new IDA8 networked public address-voice alarm system, which was specified for Silverstone's new wing by building services contractor NG Bailey and installed by fire and security specialist ADT. Representing its first landmark deployment, the IDA8 is being used for general day-to-to paging and announcement work as well as providing comprehensive safety and evacuation capability should the need ever arise.
PA/VA equipment has been installed in five different sites around the imposing three-storey building, which was designed by Populous, the architects also responsible for the London Olympic stadium. The complex houses 41 garages, the race control centre and podium, hospitality suites, a media office and a new spectator enclosure near the end of the lap.
The installation is based on fibre-optic cable and includes three IDA8M master controllers, one IDA8MS slave control unit, four IDA8 network cards, one PSS monitored emergency microphone with LCD touch screen, two 17-inch Touch screen controllers and 15 dual channel power amplifiers (five SPA 2480s, six SPA2240s, two SPA2120s and two SPA2060s).
Ateis UK supplied the equipment for the installation. Managing director, Neil Voce comments: "The IDA8 was specified by NG Bailey and installed by ADT because of its new, advanced networking voice alarm capability. We look forward to this being the first of many IDA8 projects within the UK."
(Claire Beeson)
