Apollo Protects Strawberry Hill's Gothic Revival
Strawberry Hill, a historic house internationally recognised as
Britain's finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture,
is being protected with thoroughly modern fire detection based on
Apollo technology. The contract to supply and commission the fire
detection system was awarded to Apollo's long-term customer,
Technical Alarm Systems Limited of Southampton, as part of the
first phase of a £9 million restoration project.
Strawberry Hill was created by Horace Walpole, the son of
Britain's first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole, from an original
building dating back to 1698 and quickly became internationally
famous. Walpole called his Gothic castle a 'plaything house', with
his designs based on the architecture of the great gothic
cathedrals and abbeys of the era. The fireplaces, windows, doors
and ceilings of its 25 rooms are based upon the medieval tombs of
saints and kings. During his tenure, the house became home to a
vast collection of art, antiquities and curiosities that reflected
Walpole's social position and aspirations as an innovator of
style.
The contents were sold off in 1842 and the house gradually fell
into a state of disrepair; so much so that the World Monuments Fund
included it among the 100 most endangered heritage sites of the
world. In response the Strawberry Hill Trust was formed and, with
restoration grants from both English Heritage and the Heritage
Lottery Fund, they initiated its repair. The Grade I listed
building reopened to the public in October 2010 after a two year
restoration process.
Like any other public access building, Strawberry Hill needed a
modern fire detection system to protect its fabric and contents,
its visitors and staff. The fire system was designed by M&E
consultants Martin Thomas Associates Limited and installed by
contractor Multiserve. Technical Alarm Systems won the contract to
supply and commission the fire system in competitive tender.
Apollo's analogue addressable XP95 range was specified to meet
the main fire protection requirements, with aspirating fire
detectors used in some rooms to preserve the historic décor. XP95
isolating sounder bases were used to minimise the number of devices
required and to provide staff and visitors with adequate
warning in the event of an emergency. The fire system is configured
around an Advanced Electronics MX4404 control panel and interfaces
with other critical equipment.
The house became a tourist attraction during Walpole's
life-time, with many people trying for one of the four visitor
tickets that Walpole allowed per day. Strawberry Hill is just as
popular today, with public interest being so high that it was fully
booked for the first couple of months after its reopening.
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