The project to construct the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham - one of the new super hospitals - is the largest of its kind in the UK outside of the Olympics development. Here, the fire detection and alarm systems are state-of-the art intelligent networks which pave the way for the next generation of designs.

The site of the £580m Queen Elizabeth Hospital for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has become something of a builders' village. The Private Finance Initiative for Consort Healthcare's state-of-the art teaching hospital by Birmingham New Hospital Joint Venture North is a testament to new ways of working. Balfour Beatty is working with Haden Young to construct the first new hospital for the city in 70 years.

The cabling for all the fire detection, voice evacuation and fire alarm systems have been supplied by AEI Cables and installation is being managed by Protec Fire Detection Plc who specialise in the design and installation of these systems.

The Firetec Standard and Firetec Enhanced cables have been adapted to configure a network for the Protec Algo-Tec System which controls smoke damper systems and works as part of the sophisticated overall fire detection system.

The integration of the smoke damper system into the fire alarm system means that via the graphics on a pc, operators can see all areas and the dampers can be closed to prevent any smoke and subsequent toxicity from spreading from any fire enabling any people in other areas to safely leave.

A voice evacuation public address system has also been linked to the fire detection system to make this a truly integrated network.

Robert Cash, Protec Fire Detection plc project manager said: "We have focused on build quality, the products and the systems being installed. "As a new build, we have been able to design and install the ideal network systems to make this a future-proof landmark development.

"The Joint Venture concept really is just that and each team is focused within the wider overall build to achieve their own targets as a team with no compromise on quality at any stage. We are all proud to be working on the project and look forward to the day when we can say we have successfully delivered what we said we would deliver on time and within budget."

The cables provided by AEI Cables for this prestige project are Firetec Standard and Firetec Enhanced cabling specified to meet all requirements of British Standards.

They provide continuity of power when systems need to operate to ensure alarm systems function properly and can be used by fire safety officers managing a safe evacuation of people.

Jim Duffy, chief cxecutive of AEI Cables, said: "This is a specialist installation and we have drawn on our wide experience in this field from similar partnership arrangements with international clients to ensure we are making informed decisions throughout the process.

"We have been working closely with Protec about the most appropriate cables for this particular system and the environments in which they are being applied.

"This is a hospital and there will be large numbers of people moving around in unfamiliar environments so there can be no compromise on the quality and safety of the products installed."

Logistically, the West Bromwich branch of Edmundson's Electrical wholesalers provided the day-to-day supply of cabling to ensure a seamless provision to meet all requirements.

Edmundson's manager Eddie Featherstone said: "In this instance we were able to combine our presence on the ground locally with our specialist cable management experience in this field."

Len Dickins, a project manager for the BNHJV, pointed out the merits of the modular building design with, pipework, cable trays, mechanical and electrical containment being constructed off site as modules, meaning no welding is necessary on site and a workshop quality being maintained throughout.

The toilet pods are constructed off site at the HY workshop and dropped into position for final connection. All of the ward walls are pre-fabricated off site with all the necessary components including gas, electrical outlets and bedhead lighting.

In all, there will be 3,800 car parking spaces, up to 25% of heat energy will be recycled, there will be 5,000 rooms, 10,000 doors and 182,407 units of equipment ranging from soap dispensers to high-tech imaging equipment.

Len Dickins added:  "This is partnership working at its best. The development to this stage proves that and we are well on schedule to meet our targets but nobody will take anything for granted until we are complete and we see this hospital doing what it has been built for which is looking after patients and delivering the highest quality care possible."