Lambeth Palace, the London residence of Archbishops of Canterbury since the 12th Century, posed a unique problem for any installer of fire systems. The Grade 1 listed buildings hold over 250,000 books and 3,000 manuscripts, many of which are irreplaceable.

New technology comes to the aid
How then to install ultra modern, fail safe fire protection without destroying the fabric of the building? On the recommendation of the National Trust and English Heritage, TVF were asked by Richard Scott the Church Commissioners' Architect to come up with an ideal solution. "We were impressed by TVF's track record with historic properties and attention to the fine details so essential when dealing with buildings of this nature", says Richard. "The fact that the firm had worked with the National Trust and English Heritage gave us the confidence to ask them in".

TVF decided to install a radio system which included special hard wire zonal interface boards to operate the existing 40 zones of smoke detection. Additional radio smoke detectors could then be fitted throughout the site to give instant protection.

So pleased with TVF were Richard Scott and his team at Lambeth Palace, that TVF were chosen to install another fire detection system for the Church Commissioners - at the Archbishop's Palace in Canterbury itself!

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See also: One stop system installations, Installation planning & design