The Great Bath in... Bath. A wireless system was needed to avoid damaging the ancient site

In locations of high archaeological and heritage significance there are usually three problems that go hand in hand. That of protecting a building that is often more prone to the risks of fire, while also protecting the public, and installing fire systems without damaging the site.

All of these problems had to be grappled with at an Avon Fire Systems installation on the ancient site of Aquae Sulis, the grand Roman Baths of the city of Bath.

The site needed a replacement to the existing wired solution, but the council would allow no additional drilling into the ancient building, while also requiring that the new system replicate the pattern of the old one.

With installations of this nature, wireless systems are often better suited, and Avon Fire Systems director Gary Cox concluded a radio system would be best, using their preferred supplier, EMS.

“We worked with EMS to demonstrate the integrity of its wire-free FireCell approach to the local authority. A sweep of the building proved that all the different materials within the building fabric would not impede the effective communication of the radio hubs.”

FireCell from EMS Radio Fire & Security formed the basis of the system, with an installation of 25 clusters comprised of 300 sensors, installed across 100 rooms. FireCell links to over 500 industry standard sensor units, according to EMS, and can create up to 64 hubs.

Avon Fire Systems were required to carry out work without closing the site to visitors. Mr Cox said, “This meant we needed to work logistically to a very strict schedule. The flexibility of the EMS system enabled us to be efficient and keep to these important timescales.”

Read more about EMS' FireCell here.