Wireless Fire Detection for Museums and Galleries
With the responsibility of housing and preserving the nation’s heritage comes the added responsibility of protecting it for future generations. This, coupled with a building full of the general public provides a huge challenge in terms of ensuring fire safety and protection.
As members of the Museums Association we are acutely aware of the specific issues facing professionals across this sector. In addition our own expertise of working within heritage properties and similar environments puts us in an ideal position to assist in achieving this vital protection.
We are therefore keen to work with fellow members to help and support them to achieve the very best in fire safety. We run free seminars as well as one to one consultations on many of the key issues, such as fire legislation, risk assessment and advice on the reduction of false alarms.
This is, of course, not just restricted to MA members and we are happy to work with and assist all museums and galleries with fire safety.
The EMS wireless FireCell system is an easy route to compliance and protection without disruption. A fully EN54-25 certified system which can be installed into any area without disturbing the building fabric or adding any additional risk where irreplaceable artefacts or works of art are either on display or being stored.
Because there are no cables, individual devices such as smoke detectors and call points can be installed, usually in minutes, where they are needed as opposed to where they can be installed. No cable across ceilings or up walls and no drilling between rooms.
As the installation of each device is so rapid, there is no inconvenience to visitors, and works can be done in any order, when it suits the museum or gallery team.
Additional protection can be added where it is needed as particular areas may require more concentrated protection where priceless articles are being exhibited to allow earlier warning of any possible danger of fire. We appreciate that the nature of certain materials, unique to this environment, puts them in an exceptional category.
We are a UK manufacturer and we strive to provide the highest levels of customer support and training.
EMS has been involved in looking after heritage property for over 40 years and are in an unmatched position to help and advise.
One of the most prominent and significant projects protected by an EMS radio fire system is the Monument in London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and erected to commemorate the Great Fire of London. If there was a building which must never be at risk from fire, this is probably it!
The Monument is the tallest isolated stone column in the world and to install fire-rated cable in this historically important building would not only have been prohibitively expensive, but also damaging to the building’s interior and unique architectural aesthetics.
Now over 100,000 visitors climb the 311 steps each year without ever noticing the system.
Another element that is important is the networking of fire systems across various properties, something which can be costly to achieve. However with FireCell wireless network capabilities being launched in early 2012, this will be simple and easy to implement.
No more costly and time consuming ground works associated with the digging of trenches or pulling cables through overcrowded ducts is needed. Health and safety issues are avoided and protection across entire estates can be implemented quickly, without delay.
