Apollo protects the Yelde Hall, Chippenham

Apollo protects the Yelde Hall, Chippenham

Apollo XP95 intelligent fire detectors have been installed to protect the Yelde Hall, Chippenham, Wiltshire, following a major restoration project by North Wiltshire District Council. Consultants on the project were Martin Thomas Associates, with the Apollo equipment being supplied and commissioned by Technical Alarm Systems Ltd.

The Yelde Hall is a Grade I listed building dating back to mediaeval times. It is of a five-bay timber framed construction with an open hall of four bays and a single end bay of two storeys. Internal architectural features include the lock-up, or local prison, which is first mentioned in 1536. The building continued to function as Chippenham's Town Hall and Council Chamber until 1841, when the new Town Hall was built. It then served as the headquarters of the Volunteer Rifle Corps until the First World War, before becoming the town's fire station. Following the Second World War, the Yelde Hall found a new use as the local museum.

Time gradually caught up with the building and the District Council set aside money for repairs. A renovation project was instigated to carry out essential works and to ensure that the Yelde Hall would continue to have a use in the future. Structural repairs, provision of disabled access and upgrading the heating, lighting and electrical services were all required. The project also included a review of fireprotection within the building.

The need for a discreet fire detection system was a particular requirement at Yelde Hall, where preservation of the original interiors was paramount. Due to its height, the main hall was provided with aspirated smoke detection. Apollo XP95 intelligent fire detectors were specified for enclosed areas such as the old lock-in and Council Chamber.

Apollo's XP95 range is based on established intelligent technology that offers a reliability proven repeatedly in the field. Physically, the detectors have been designed to have a low profile with outer casings manufactured in pure white, which allows the XP95 range to blend unobtrusively into its surroundings. The XP95 range includes an ionisation and optical smoke detector, a heat detector and a multisensor. It uses the same open, digital protocol as all Apollo intelligent detectors, which means any XP95-based system is simple to extend or upgrade. The fire detectors are robustly designed, can operate over a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels and include features designed to minimise false readings caused by dust or vapour, including drift compensation.

Building works at Yelde Hall were completed in Spring 2003. The premises is now home to Chippenham's tourist information centre.

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