According to Golini, the Gamewell-FCI system's two-wire data bus delivers more than substantial cost savings for the end user.
"For example, the new system carries data from node to node over a single pair of unshielded wires. The industry standard for data communications at this time is 100 to 318 baud; the E3 Series can communicate at 625K baud."
From start to finish, Golini's group had only four months to complete an initial systems assessment, new system design, installation and testing. With both old and new systems being maintained simultaneously, finding space for new equipment became a challenge. Moreover, the stadium's restrictive schedule caused AFA to perform a fast-paced cut-over of systems when allowed access to the park.
Team AFA's labors continued into the beginning of the 2009 baseball season, further limiting its work schedule prior to the Boston Fire Department signing off on the project.
"We could only work in certain areas at certain times," says Golini. "Our group had to work around the team's schedule, which essentially limited production to those times when they were on the road."
The Fenway Park upgrade exemplifies how an advanced fire protection solution can provide state-of-the-art life safety without putting budgets on the DL (disabled list). Increased focus on emergency communications mixed with new EVAC system capabilities have created strong demand for these system types in applications apart from those of just public assembly. Moreover, as the 2010 Edition of NFPA 72 takes hold, many expect this scenario to be the norm, not the exception.