Loughborough-based Clymac Fire and Security Systems have played a key role in a multi-million pound building project to refurbish historic St Martin-in-the-Fields church in the centre of London.
Built in 1726, St Martin-in-the-Fields, one of the most famous churches in the capital, will now be able to cope with all the demands of the 21st century. As part of the £36 million renewal project, Clymac was given full responsibility for the design, installation, testing and handover of the entire fire system for the extensively refurbished church.
It was a challenging project for the Clymac team, not simply because they were working in an architecturally renowned and much-loved building, but also because the installation of the system would have to be handled very sensitively. In addition, the system and cabling used inside the church would need to be as discreet as possible.
The team also had to deal with fixed completion dates which couldn’t be moved, and a phased handover. In other words, the wiring distribution had to meet both the technical requirements of the system and the various dates of the phased handover.
The solution planned and installed by Clymac was a mixed radio and hardwired system, with radio in the church and crypt, and hardwiring in the North Range and back of house areas. It was difficult to install the MICC used for the voice sounders in the church and crypt areas, and as the cables would be visible, they were installed in bare MICC.
In addition, aspirating detection was fitted in the large void above the church because of the height of the ceiling. This enabled the system to achieve a high level of sensitivity and remove the need to gain access from the church for maintenance. Aesthetically discreet capillaries were also used on the church ceiling. Finally, a new disabled refuge had to be incorporated into the new system.
On 28th April 2008, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attended a service to mark the refurbishment of St Martin-in-the-Fields. John Anderson, Chairman of St Martin-in-the-Fields Building Renewal Project Limited said, "A lot of hard work has gone into this, it's a great day for celebration."
On Sunday 30 September, the newly refurbished St Martin-in-the-Fields, made safe by its new Clymac system, will reopen for church services and concerts. Reverend Nicholas Holtam, the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields said he was delighted that all the work was nearly complete, adding that, “We've had the builders on site for two and a bit years, so it is great to be nearing the end!" |
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