Blists Hill Victorian Town enhances fire safety with Advanced system


Iain Hoey
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Advanced fire protection installed at Blists Hill Victorian Town
Blists Hill Victorian Town, part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, has implemented a new fire protection system from Advanced.
The site, which recreates a Victorian town with relocated historic buildings, required a system that could operate across its dispersed layout, including mine tunnels and standalone structures.
The new installation features seven Advanced MxPro 5 fire panels, integrated through the AdvancedLive smart monitoring and management platform.
This setup unifies the system into a single virtual network, allowing real-time monitoring and control from any internet-enabled device.
Chubb Fire and Security carried out the installation, incorporating 600 Hyfire wireless devices to ensure coverage across the site.
The upgrade was required as the previous system had reached the end of its lifecycle, and the Trust sought improved functionality and management capabilities.
Centralised fire system management with AdvancedLive
The AdvancedLive platform enables the site’s security and facilities teams to monitor the fire system remotely.
The platform provides real-time notifications for fire alarms, faults, and disablements, helping staff respond quickly to potential issues.
The interface allows users to choose between map and list views, offering a user-friendly experience suitable for non-specialist staff.
Ross Davidson, Visitor Engagement Manager at Blists Hill Victorian Town, said: “The new system allows us to locate and identify the source of any activation much more quickly, meaning we can minimise disruption to our visitor experience.”
Installation and integration across historic buildings
Chubb Fire and Security completed the installation, integrating wireless fire detection devices throughout the site’s Victorian-era houses, shops, and underground mine tunnels.
Dean Bradley from Chubb Fire and Security said: “The installation process was smooth and seamless, thanks to the integration capabilities of Advanced equipment.
“With such a dispersed site, it was crucial that we could provide full protection without disrupting the flow of daily operations and by using Advanced we were able to do just that, whilst maintaining the integrity of the site’s historical charm.”
The wireless devices ensure comprehensive coverage without altering the historic structures, preserving the authenticity of the museum while providing modern fire protection.
Scalability and future fire safety improvements
The new system is designed to accommodate future expansion at Blists Hill Victorian Town.
AdvancedLive’s scalability allows additional buildings to be incorporated into the network as required, ensuring ongoing fire protection without the need for major infrastructure changes.
Paul Taylor, Lead Technical Architect at Advanced, said: “Blists Hill Victorian Town presented a unique set of challenges – from the site’s historical significance to its dispersed layout.
“Our solution, combining an MxPro 5 network and the remote management and control capabilities of AdvancedLive, has proven invaluable in addressing these complexities while preserving the visitor experience.
“We’re proud to have played a role in safeguarding such an iconic site for future generations.”
Blists Hill Victorian Town enhances fire safety with Advanced system: Summary
Blists Hill Victorian Town, managed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, has upgraded its fire protection system with Advanced technology.
The installation includes seven MxPro 5 panels connected through the AdvancedLive smart monitoring platform.
Chubb Fire and Security installed 600 Hyfire wireless devices, ensuring coverage across the museum’s historic structures and underground tunnels.
The AdvancedLive platform enables real-time monitoring and remote access for site management teams.
It allows non-specialist staff to track fire system status through an intuitive interface, providing alerts for alarms, faults, and disablements.
The system is designed to support future expansion at Blists Hill, integrating additional buildings as required.
The wireless installation ensures fire safety without disrupting the museum’s historic character.
Advanced and Chubb Fire and Security collaborated to deliver a fire protection solution tailored to the site’s unique requirements.