Costing GBP 84M to construct and officially opened in May by Her Majesty the Queen, Leigh Sports Village represents an enormous investment in public sports and recreational facilities in the area. With third generation floodlit grass and artificial pitches, a multi-use games area and a 150-bedroomed hotel, the state-of-the-art village marks a significant step forward in transforming the region into a hotbed of sporting and leisure activity.

Quantec's primary function is to provide the 24 disabled washrooms in the stadium with alarm facilities. The system is dual purpose. Not only can it be used to alert people in an emergency situation, but it can also be used to ensure that disabled people visiting the stadium's washrooms have the dignity and privacy they deserve. They can be dropped off at a washroom whenever required, and simply sound the alarm via the call point at their own leisure. As soon as they trigger the call point, the alarm will sound at the main panel in reception to alert their waiting carer/companion that it is time to collect them.

Says Steve Hutchinson of Tate Security Technology Ltd, the company that installed the system: "We originally specified a conventional call system but were attracted by Quantec's versatility and the fact that it can be used in so many different ways. Of equal importance, however, was the fact that, installing a addressable system is far less labour intensive (as there is not as much wiring) and, therefore, much more cost-effective. The fact that the panel has clear well-lit displays and can be programmed to display specific address locations also makes it very user-friendly."

C-TEC's SigTEL disabled refuge system has also been installed at the 10,000-seat stadium. In the event of an emergency, the fully BS5839 part 9 refuge system facilitates effective two-way communication between building management and people located in the refuge area to, firstly, assist rescue teams in determining where assistance is required and, secondly, to reassure people help is on the way.

Says Steve: "C-TEC products inspire total confidence as they are designed and manufactured in the UK, which is very rare these days, and they have an excellent reputation in the marketplace. Another reason why we are loyal to C-TEC is the fact that our Account Manager is always on hand to offer advice and guidance - something which is incredibly important to us".

Tate Security Technology Ltd is one of the leading specialist electrical installation companies in the UK. The company's specializes in designing, specifying and maintaining fire and security systems for prisons and sports stadiums.