Case Study: WES Temporary Fire Alarm System at Société Générale Head Office, Paris
Introduction:
The Société Générale Head Office, located at 29 Boulevard Haussmann in the heart of Paris, is a historical building with a rich architectural heritage, some of its elements listed as Historical Monuments. The building underwent a major renovation and transformation project between January 2019 and July 2021 with the goal of enhancing the site’s history and embedding it within the “future of work” era.
Problem:
As a renowned financial institution, Société Générale needed to update its head office to meet the changing needs of its customers and employees, and to improve the building’s environmental impact and energy usage. The challenge was to successfully combine the authenticity of this “banking palace” from the Golden Age with modernity, while optimizing floor space and improving staff wellbeing, cooperation, and customer satisfaction. During the renovation project, the safety of construction workers and the public was a top priority for the contractor, Vinci. The building was also located in a busy area of Paris, surrounded by other buildings and with a large site, making it crucial to have a reliable fire alarm system in place.
Solution:
WES3 temporary wireless fire protection system was deployed at the Société Générale Head Office during the renovation project. The system was designed to meet the specific requirements of the construction site, including the size of the building, the number of workers on site, and the surrounding buildings. The system comprised of 13 dust-resistant smoke detectors, 19 manual call points, and 1 Link unit, all connected to a central control panel. In the event of a fire, the smoke detectors would trigger the alarm and send SMS and email notifications to relevant personnel, allowing for a quick and safe evacuation of the area.
Outcome:
The WES3 temporary wireless fire alarm system played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of everyone on site during the renovation project. The system was installed quickly and efficiently and worked flawlessly throughout the 16-month project, providing peace of mind for the construction workers and the public. In the event of a fire, the WES system would have helped ensured a safe evacuation of the area.
Conclusion:
The renovation project at the Société Générale Head Office, located on the historic Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, was a resolute attempt to blend history with modernity. The building, a Belle Epoque architectural masterpiece, was transformed into a “future of work” environment that met the current needs of both customers and employees. The WES temporary fire alarm system was a crucial component in ensuring the safety of everyone on site during the 16-month project, providing peace of mind and helping to make the construction project a success.