Marioff’s HI-FOG® fire protection system was chosen to protect Berlin’s renowned Akademie der Künste (Academy of Arts). Designed by architect Werner Düttmann and inaugurated in 1960, the building at Hanseatenweg 10 marked the completion of a residential estate created for the 1957 international architecture exhibition.

After decades of use, it was decided the building should be returned to its original condition while bringing the facilities, including fire protection, up to modern standards.

Multi-faceted facilityWith 2,000 square meters of exhibition area, a studio with a stage, two auditoria seating 700 guests, as well as club rooms and apartments combined with art stu-dios, the building at the edge of the vast Tiergarten Park is an ideal location for ex-hibitions, performing arts or music pro-ductions, film or video projections, rea-dings and art discussion meetings.

An important element of the Academy is its archives. With 1100 individual collec-tions, a special library of 550,000 volumes and an art collection of 60,000 objects,

Akademie der KünsteHI-FOG® protects Berlin art scene

HI-FOG® for the Academy of Arts

At a Glance

Less waterParticularly where cultural heritage is concerned, limiting water damage is as important as fire prevention. HI-FOG® uses up to 90% less water than conventional sprinklers, signifi-cantly reducing the chance of water damaging precious collections.

Smoke controlA key factor in fire safety is ensuring smoke does not limit or slow evacu-ation. HI-FOG® water mist effectively reduces risk from smoke. The water mist droplets bind with the smoke particles, preventing the smoke from spreading.

Preserving aestheticsVisitors want to enjoy artwork, lis-ten to interesting presentations, and generally have a good time. Safe-ty systems should avoid disturbing the experience. HI-FOG® sprinkler heads are some of the smallest on the market, easy to install and easy to ignore.

“We decided on a high pressure water mist system because it needs less water. A further advantage is the smoke scrubbing

effect. In smoky rooms it provides very fast, sufficient visibility.”

Mr. Manfred Fischer, Director of Administration, Academy of Arts, Berlin

the Academy archives represent the most important interdisciplinary archives for 20th-century art in the German-speaking world.

Challenge of the unknownThe academy architecture presented a number of challenges for installing a new fire protection system that would meet the steep requirements placed on it.

“The ceilings had been hung, and nobo-dy knew what was behind them,” recalls Christian Nolden Project Manager at Ma-rioff Germany. “The placement of the

© Manfred Mayer

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Marioff Corporation Oy reserves the right to change or modify the information given in this brochure, including technical details, without notice. HI-FOG® and Marioff® are registered trademarks of Marioff Corporation Oy. Marioff is a part of UTC Climate, Controls and Security Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

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nozzles was tricky. We could not make detailed plans because we didn’t know how the cable trays ran or the support beams were positioned.”

The difficult assembly conditions meant that each HI-FOG® sprinkler had to be in-dividually tailored. Thanks to the narrow HI-FOG® tubing and compact nozzles, the installation was successful. “In the end, the customer was very satisfied with our implementation,” notes Nolden.

System designThe HI-FOG® installation protects the Academy’s exhibition areas, administrati-on offices, as well as the special suspen-ded ceilings in the theatre. Designed in accordance with the European OH1 fire protection specification, the installation uses a wet pipe system dimensioned for a 60-minute discharge.

“It was important for us that the installation

is largely unnoticeable.”

Mr. Manfred Fischer, Director of Administration, Academy of Arts, Berlin

Wet pipe systems are typically used in spaces where solid materials are the com-bustible media. When ambient tempera-ture exceeds a specified limit, the activa-tion bulb of the sprinkler bursts and wa-ter mist is discharged from that particular sprinkler. This helps limit the number of activated sprinklers, reducing overall amount of water discharged.

The HI-FOG® system for the Academy uses a HI-FOG® Modular Sprinkler Pump

Unit (MSPU). This type of unit uses a mo-dular construction which makes it easier to install in spaces with limited access. The pump serves a tubing network with 12 valves and 1,000 sprinkler heads. Five 20 cubic meter water tanks supply fresh water.

The completed system was approved by authorised, third-party experts from Technische Prüfgesellschaft Lehmann mbH Berlin.