As part of £35 million project to conserve HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, a complex fire system designed around Hyfire’s wireless Taurus range has been installed to provide protection during works on the world’s oldest commissioned warship.  

Launched in 1765, HMS Victory is currently undergoing a 10-year programme of works to make her ship-shape for the next generation. In 2022, as she celebrated 100 years in drydock in Portsmouth, Absolute Security Systems Ltd took on design responsibility for the fire system that is providing comprehensive cover within the temporary structure surrounding the ship. 

This is being used to provide protection and access during the works, with allowance for members of the public to continue to visit HMS Victory, and also to view the works being carried out. 

Comprehensive protection

The fire system was installed and interfaced into the existing onboard fire system, offering flexibility so it can be repositioned to suit the ongoing progress of the refurbishment, which also involves replacing rotten planking from her hull with new oak, repairing Victory’s structural framework, and finally fully re-rigging the historic flagship. 

“With the possible exception of Titanic, I don’t think there is a ship in the world that’s more famous than HMS Victory, so we took on this project with a mix of trepidation and excitement,” said Paul Waddon, Fire Alarm Division Manager at Absolute Security. “A wireless fire system is a no-brainer in this situation, as it offers comprehensive protection to the vessel with little or no impact on the fabric.

“Using the TauREX design tool, and with input from the Hyfire team, we’ve been able to specify, install and commission the new fire system in record time. It may not be the most visible element of the reconstruction, but an effective fire system is absolutely vital to the protection and preservation of HMS Victory as conservation experts and skilled shipwrights work to make her ship-shape for at least the next 50 years.” 

Hyfire offers a wide range of commercial standard wireless fire devices, ranging from optical, multi-criteria and heat detectors to EN54-23 Approved VAD’s, all fully certified to EN54. All products offer the highest performance and quality in the industry, and are also fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1.

Fire panels are wired via a loop to translators, from which wireless devices can be used on their own to build fully wireless systems of virtually any size, or mixed with Hyfire wired products to provide seamless hybrid solutions, offering total flexibility to specifiers and installers.  

‘No need for complex and unseemly wiring’

Ollie Murray, National Sales Manager ‑ South at Hyfire, commented: “I think lots of people dream about being involved with a project like this, and it’s been an amazing experience to play a part in the future preservation of HMS Victory. Taurus wireless devices are perfect for structures like a ship as they can cover every void, deck and hard to reach space with no need for complex and unseemly wiring.” 

Developed in Trieste, Italy, the global centre for wireless fire design, Taurus features Pathfinder Technology, which allows the devices to communicate over 1km, point to point in open air, and further where expansion hops are used. Antenna technology has been optimised to allow communication across different frequencies and environments, which means that Taurus can do the job with less equipment and less batteries, thus saving on costs.