The National Gallery

London’s National Gallery stands on the north side of Trafalgar Square and houses one of the greatest collections of European paintings in the world. The existing building is the cumulative effort of many generations of architects – with developments largely prompted by the continuous growth of the collection and more recently by the growing demand for auxiliary spaces due to changing visitor needs and expectations. A well known London landmark in its own right, the Gallery attracts millions of visitors each year, from all over the world. It is widely recognised as a building of immense importance.

Pre-existing situation

Prior to UTCFS’s involvement, buildings were protected by ageing fire alarm equipment, which did not have the flexibility to fully cover the Gallery’s growing activity schedule. In an application that combines high value items, with millions of visitors each year, unwanted alarms are always a major source of concern and disruption. As such, overall protection needed to be increased without jeopardising the flexibility that is required to host visitors that are usually unfamiliar with the building and property risks.

UTCFS’s solution

In order to provide controlled evacuation for visitors and the earliest detection of fire with regard to building contents, UTCFS proposed a fire detection and alarm network based on nine EST3 panels, controlling over 2,500 Signature intelligent, smoke and thermal sensors. Applying sophisticated detection techniques together with specially developed software, the system is capable of sensing a fire condition at its earliest stages, reporting its exact location and verifying it as real, prior to engaging alarm procedures. When necessary, evacuation of all areas of the Gallery is by voice alarm. System information and alarm management are controlled via three FireWorks graphic displays connected directly into the network and located in three separate security areas. The system also offers virtually unlimited cause and effect flexibility should the gallery need to alter the functional use of the building interior.Since installing UTCFS’s EST-based fire system, unwanted alarms have been virtually eliminated.