Hyfire wireless system installed at historic Edinburgh hotel

Hyfire has reported that its wireless fire alarm system has been installed at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.

More than 1,300 Taurus wireless devices were deployed across the seven-storey hotel, covering 240 guest rooms and multiple communal areas.

The installation was carried out by Marlowe Fire and Security.

The project was completed without requiring room closures, minimising disruption to guests.

The wireless system was chosen to accommodate the hotel’s architectural constraints, which would have made a wired system more challenging to install.

Historic building presents installation challenges

The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, originally part of the former Caledonian Station, has been a landmark on Princes Street since 1903.

Its historic structure and layout made fire system upgrades particularly complex.

Dan Thorburn, Project Commissioning Engineer at Marlowe Fire and Security, said: “The Waldorf Caledonian isn’t just any hotel; it’s a monument to Edinburgh’s grand past and its vibrant present.

“Taking on this project was a big test journey for us, combining modern safety requirements with the delicate preservation of heritage.”

He added that maintaining the hotel’s operational status throughout the project was a key priority.

He explained: “The architectural complexities combined with our commitment to an uninterrupted guest experience—the whole hotel remained open throughout—created unique challenges.”

Advantages of wireless fire alarm systems for hotels

Installing modern fire alarm systems in historic hotels presents difficulties due to structural constraints.

Traditional wired systems can require extensive modifications, which may be disruptive or require approval from heritage authorities.

Hyfire’s Taurus Wireless Fire Alarm System reduces installation complexity by using 90% less wiring than conventional systems.

The devices can be pre-configured off-site, enabling a faster and less intrusive installation.

Thorburn said: “Hyfire’s wireless devices offered a path that traditional systems couldn’t.

“By utilising 90% less wiring, we were not only able to significantly reduce installation complexities, but also ensured the hotel’s existing fire alarm system could operate unhindered until our new system was fully commissioned.”

Preserving heritage while ensuring safety

Due to the building’s historic status, any modifications require clearance from Historic Environment Scotland.

Wireless technology allowed for a system upgrade without altering the hotel’s structure.

Robert Bruce, National Key Account Manager at Hyfire, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of such a prestigious project.

“Hyfire wireless devices are designed for situations exactly like this, where the demands of the historic built environment require flexible yet uncompromising solutions.”

He added that the new system ensures fire safety while maintaining the integrity of the hotel’s heritage.

Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria upgrades fire safety with wireless system: Summary

Hyfire has reported that more than 1,300 of its Taurus wireless fire alarm devices have been installed at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.

The installation, completed by Marlowe Fire and Security, covered 240 guest rooms and communal areas without requiring room closures.

The hotel’s historic structure presented challenges for installing a wired system, making a wireless solution preferable.

Hyfire’s system, using 90% less wiring, allowed for minimal disruption and faster deployment.

The installation was carried out while maintaining the hotel’s existing fire alarm system until commissioning was complete.

Heritage considerations required approval from Historic Environment Scotland.

The wireless system enabled fire safety enhancements without structural modifications.

Hyfire stated that the project demonstrates how modern fire protection can be integrated into historic buildings while preserving their architectural integrity.