Fire System Upgrade – Ardmore

DESCRIPTION 

The Ardmore Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Fire System Upgrade (FSU) project was undertaken to strengthen fire protection systems within one of Auckland’s key potable water facilities. The initiative focused on replacing and enhancing aging fire detection infrastructure to meet current safety standards and support the long-term reliability of the plant. 

Given the critical role of Ardmore WTP in supplying drinking water to the Auckland region, all upgrade activities were carefully planned and executed to maintain uninterrupted plant operations. The project required a high level of coordination within a live treatment environment, with particular attention to protecting sensitive process areas and critical assets. 

SCOPE 

Actemium delivered a comprehensive upgrade of fire detection and associated control systems throughout the Ardmore facility. The scope of works included: 

• Removal and replacement of legacy fire alarm systems across treatment, administration, and auxiliary buildings 

• Installation of modern fire detection technologies tailored to varying environments, including electrical rooms, chemical dosing areas, and process halls 

• Integration of fire alarm systems into the existing plant control and monitoring systems, ensuring clear visibility for operations personnel 

• Routing and installation of new cabling and containment systems within constrained and operational plant areas 

• Careful staging and sequencing of works to enable progressive cutover without compromising fire protection coverage 

• Commissioning, validation, and system verification to confirm compliance with relevant standards 

• Delivery of full project documentation, including as-builts, testing records, and operator training 

Works were undertaken in close coordination with Watercare operations and maintenance teams, ensuring all activities aligned with plant access, safety requirements, and operational constraints. 

VALUE TO CLIENT 

• Through the delivery of the Ardmore FSU project, Actemium contributed to improved safety performance and long-term asset resilience for Watercare. Key benefits achieved include: 

• Improved Asset Protection: Implementation of reliable, modern fire detection systems that safeguard critical treatment infrastructure 

• Maintained Water Supply Integrity: All works were completed without disruption to the plant’s core function of supplying potable water to Auckland 

• Efficient Delivery in a Live Environment: Structured staging and planning minimised operational interfaces and reduced delivery risk 

• Enhanced System Visibility: Integration with plant monitoring systems provides operators with clearer, real-time insights into fire system status 

• Alignment with Asset Management Objectives: Upgrades were delivered in accordance with Watercare standards, supporting consistency and maintainability across the network