Project Overview

The Port of Tilbury is integral to the UK’s import and export activities. Sat in a prime location on the north bank of the River Thames, the site spans 1,000 acres and features 56 operational berths, 31 independent working terminals, 10.2 kilometres of quay, and 5 million square feet of warehouse space.

Customer Needs

The Port of Tilbury is a complex site. Various types of cargo, including containers, bulk commodities, and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipments, pass through the port at an annual throughput value of £8.7 billion[1].

The port’s grain terminal, one of the largest combined import and export grain facilities in the UK, posed additional complexities due to its harsh and potentially explosive environment. In addition to those complexities, the customer had an ageing system that needed upgrading to enhance safety measures.

Solution and Benefits

Chubb attentively listened to the client’s needs and conducted Fire Risk Assessments to gain a full understanding of the site’s hazards. After the evaluation, Chubb initiated the replacement of the outdated fire system. Considering the distinct demands presented by the grain terminal’s surroundings, Chubb’s team of specialists created a one-of-a-kind approach.

Chubb installed a suite of low-voltage, flame-proof solutions. The lower power requirements from each device meant they could be installed on longer runs of cable to best serve the site.

The suite of solutions included regular fire risk assessments to document and constantly review hazards. Four control panels were installed and connected 110 detectors, 90 intrinsically safe call points for the explosive atmosphere ATEX areas[2], 85 explosion-proof sounders (EX Horn Speakers), and a bespoke Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) speaker system housed in a dedicated rack.

The devices were tailored to the port’s specific needs and ensured comprehensive coverage across the vast infrastructure.

To accommodate the customer’s budget, Chubb completed the installation in phases, spreading the system replacement over a five-year period. Each year, Chubb worked diligently to replace portions of the outdated system, ensuring a seamless transition and minimal disruption to the port’s operations.

Project Summary

By choosing Chubb as its trusted partner, the Port of Tilbury benefited from extensive resources and technical expertise to design and install a truly unique solution that is unlike any other project Chubb has implemented.

Chubb’s teams of expert engineers demonstrated technical proficiency and innovative thinking with the low-voltage speaker solution and intrinsically safe call points to significantly improve safety and operational efficiency at the Port of Tilbury.

Additionally, when the Port of Tilbury embarked on the Silo 3 replacement project and Silo 4 expansion project, Chubb extended its services to cover the new build, further cementing its partnership with the port.

About Chubb Fire & Security:

Chubb is a leading provider of fire safety and security solutions and services for customers worldwide. It has been protecting people and assets for over 200 years. Today, its employees in 200+ branches in ~20 countries work to make the world safer, protect people and provide peace of mind. Its fire, security and monitoring services cover more than 1.0 million sites around the world. Chubb is a part of APi Group, a global, market-leading business services provider of safety and specialty services in over 500 locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.chubb.co.uk.

Contact details:

Chubb Fire & Security

Carla Sousa, Director Marketing and Communications

carla.sousa@chubbfs.com