Friends support Fire Safety Project at Rochester Cathedral
/The Friends of Rochester Cathedral have generously pledged to cover the £300,000 cost of a major project to improve the Cathedral’s fire safety systems. This important work includes:
The installation of a new fire alarm and detection system.
The current fire alarm system (a mixture of hard-wired and remote battery-operated smoke detectors) was installed in the 1990’s and has been progressively extended over the last 30 years. It is currently being replaced by an entirely new state of the art system covering all areas of the Cathedral.
The addition of scuppers in the roof to remove water in the event of a fire.
The Cathedral’s eastern roof spaces are medieval chalk stone vaults. These are susceptible to collapse if significant quantities of water are poured onto them during attempts to fight a fire. The installation of water sluices (scuppers) drilled through the walls will allow water to escape the roof space and reduce the possibility of a catastrophic collapse.
The extension of the dry risers to allow water to be directed at height.
The existing dry riser allows the Fire Brigade to direct water more easily into the higher reaches of the building. It will be extended around the Cathedral at parapet level to provide greater access to more of the building.
Improvements to the fire compartmentation in the roof voids
The effectiveness of the existing compartmentation will be improved to prevent fire spreading through the roof voids.
