Hallmark Fire, part of Chubb Systems, has supplied a fire detection and voice evacuation solution for the National History Museum in South Kensington, London.

Picture courtesy of the Natural History Museum

Hallmark Fire was appointed to upgrade the existing system at the museum’s main Waterhouse Building, as well as to upgrade the system at the museum’s Tring site in Hertfordshire.

The Waterhouse Building is home to one of the largest natural history collections in the world, with more than 70 million specimens ranging from microscopic slides to massive skeletons.

The new installation incorporated existing fire panels by Static Systems.

Colin Swain, project manager at Hallmark Fire said: “Though the existing system covered most areas of the building, there were certain areas – for example the basement – where coverage was more scattered. An upgrade was needed in these areas to ensure complete coverage throughout.

“As the building had existing Static Systems panels, the museum stipulated that the system be integrated fully with these panels,” he said.

“Following a tender process, we were awarded the contract to supply and install additional heat and smoke detectors, alongside two voice alarm racks. Work commenced in December 2008, and the system was commissioned by Static Systems in July 2010.”

Looking after the building’s aesthetics was also part of the brief. “In the large roof void on the second floor, we installed an aspirating smoke detection system to provide effective, yet discreet protection,” Swain said.

“We also installed conventional point detectors, placed carefully to tie in with Grade I listed building installation methods. The cables were placed to fit in with the contours of the building, set into the mortar between the terracotta for unobtrusive detection.

“Additionally, we installed two voice alarm racks: one in the main West Waterhouse building and another in the staff area in the North East block. These new racks integrate fully into the fire alarm system and the museum’s front-end public address system, so in the event of an alarm, it will automatically ensure that messages are broadcast clearly, so that the building can be evacuated quickly and easily.”

A similar system is being installed at the Natural History Museum at Tring.