The Tank Museum, Bovington, which houses the largest and finest collection of armoured military vehicles in the world, is now protected from fire by a Gent by Honeywell technically advanced, efficient fire detection and alarm system.
Many of the tanks and other exhibits are irreplaceable and priceless, including the first-ever tank from 1914, and many other unique vehicles, plus experimental models captured from the enemy. With 120,000 visitors each year, the museum decided an effective voice alarm system was critical to ensure a fast and safe evacuation in the case of an emergency.
A state-of-the-art Gent system installed by a System Integrator with BAFE SP203 accreditation was the only solution and Wessex Fire & Security were selected to carry out the work. They completed the project within twelve weeks, with no disruption to opening hours or displays. Many of the priceless tanks could not be moved, with work having to take place around their bulk, with the aid of scissor lifts to access 25 metre high roof apexes. Gent Beam Detectors fully integrated into the Vigilon fire system loop, were fitted as the roof height exceeded restrictions for point detectors,
To safely enable test-running the tanks without risking false alarms, Wessex installed key-operated isolator switches, allowing specific areas to be isolated as required, avoiding potential false alarms triggered by the tank engines’ considerable output of exhaust gases.
In addition to the voice alarm speaker-system, Gent’s loop-powered S-Cubed audio-visual alarm devices were installed to make sure the hard-of-hearing would be equally conscious of any alarm as they incorporate a sounder, speech alarm and strobe combined in one device, ensuring the museum fully complies with the fire detection and alarm requirements of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act.