CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

Our preferred choice of venue partner for Western Cape-based events is the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Located on Cape Town’s northern foreshore beneath Table Mountain, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) provides a flexible facility that meets every expectation.

The centre has been meticulously designed with absolute respect for the end user and the most modern amenities and technology are mandatory ingredients. From major medical and scientific conventions hosting thousands of delegates to consumer exhibitions trade shows, the CTICC’s extraordinary adaptability makes it accommodating and accessible.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre provides 10 000m of dedicated, column-free exhibition and trade show space. The centre’s main foyer leads off Convention Square, a grand piazza that overlooks Rogebaai Canal and the ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel. Convention Square links Cape Town’s inner city road network to the centre’s walkways and parking areas. 1 400 secure on-site parking bays are available for visitors.

The CTICC’s commitment to professionalism is complemented by the destination’s service standards and sophisticated infrastructure. Its dedicated team is enhanced by the excellent reputation of its operating company, Amsterdam RAI, which has extensive international experience in all facets of the facility’s operation.

CTICC Backup Generator Capacity and Configuration

The CTICC is equipped with several power systems. Electricity is reticulated at 240V and 380V

• Normal power, total available supply of 8MVA (8000KVA)
• UPS Power, 2 x 250kVA units – Red 3-pin plugs with shaved earth pin
• Emergency power, 2X800kVA totalling 1600kVA emergency power generated by 2 diesel generators for the entire centre excluding Auditorium 1
• A separate 250kVA generator supplies power to Auditorium 1
• A dedicated 1000kVA generator that supplies power to the air-conditioning plant. 

The UPS systems will ensure no power interruption to essential services during a power failure.  The batteries will last 20 minutes under full load conditions.  The UPS will take the load while the generators start up and synchronize.  UPS power is available in all venues but is limited to 16A plug sockets.  It is possible to ensure that a presentation is not interrupted by a power failure by connecting the computer and projector to the UPS circuit.  The system is not designed for and cannot handle the excessive loads incurred by special effect lighting systems etc. and this will therefore shut down until the generators have started.  A special distribution board is required for UPS power in the exhibition halls.

The emergency power generators will start and take the load automatically within 45 seconds after a power failure has occurred.  The generator for the air-conditioning plant is not equipped with an automatic start feature and will be started manually as and when required.

The two main generators and the air-conditioning generator are connected to a 4500 litre underground diesel tank that can provide fuel for 8 hours under full load conditions.  Suppliers are equipped and contracted to supply fuel on short notice should any power failure last longer than 8 hours. This time is extended when the electricity demand is reduced. 

All non-essential ventilation systems (everything not required during an emergency) will shut down during a power failure.  This will be re-instated in occupied areas as required depending on the load demand in the centre.

Exhibition Halls
The 400A bulk supply usually used by the AV companies is not on the generated power circuit.  To limit outages for the stage to the minimum, all stage equipment must be connected to the 125A supply in P3 on the trench DB’s.  This may have an impact on the number of DB’s/connections that have to be ordered.  The client must also ensure that the AV Company involved knows about this and that they make provision in their equipment planning to feed of numerous boards should they exceed 125A.  UPS power is available for light loads and sensitive equipment.  This is however limited to 16A single phase circuits and will require them ordering a UPS DB from Oasys.

All the trenches in the exhibition halls are connected to the Generators.  An exhibition will loose power for the duration of the change over but can continue normally thereafter.  Exhibitors with equipment that may be negatively affected by power interruptions must specifically request UPS connections. Once again note: this is limited to 16A circuits only.

Auditorium 1
The full auditorium excluding the bulk 400A supply and the ventilation system is fed from the generator.  This can be switched on manually in the plant room when required but the generator capacity is limited to only 250kVA and services will be limited.  The interruption will last approximately 45 seconds with only a few emergency lights fed of UPS power staying on.  AV companies must make adequate provision for UPS backup for sensitive equipment and generated power if required.

Auditorium 2 and Ballroom
The bulk supply and other three phase supplies in these venues are connected to the non-essential portion of the distribution system.  In case of a power outage, this part of the distribution board is automatically tripped out.  Depending on the load on the generators, certain sections can be reinstated manually. The power will be off for approximately 5 minutes in these venues whilst the process is carried out to re-instate the non-essential supply. It is also possible to switch off sections of the building that are fed from the generators to channel the available power to the areas where required.