Apollo Technology Protects Queen Boudica

Apollo fire detection technology has been chosen by T&P Fire Ltd to protect Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum. T&P Fire, which has represented Apollo for more than 15 years, was appointed by Norfolk Property Services to replace the existing fire protection with an open protocol system.

Eddie Bean, Technical Manager at T&P Fire, says: "We have always advocated the open protocol approach, because it offers flexibility of product choice and better whole life costs. We recommended Apollo technology due to the high quality, range and reliability of Apollo products, which satisfied all of our client's requirements for this historic site."

James Carswell, Cabinet member for Cultural Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery is so much more than just a building; it is a treasured part of our community loved by visitors and staff alike because it brings to life our heritage in a space fit for the 21^st century, complete with state-of-the-art fire detection that secures the safety of our staff, visitors and valuable collections."

Norwich Castle was built by the Normans 900 years ago, and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. Originally a wooden fortification, surrounded by deep dry ditches for defence, the castle was later used as a prison. The castle complex is both a Scheduled Monument and a listed Grade I building. Today the castle is a museum and art gallery, housing collections of fine art, archaeology and natural history. One of the museum's star collections is centered on East Anglia's very own Queen Boudica; visitors can admire displays of Iceni gold and treasures and ride on a re-creation of an Iceni warrior's chariot.

Attached to the castle by a First World War Communication Trench is the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum. This museum traces the lives of the soldiers of the County Regiment and their families from 1685 onwards, through the items that have been collected from their campaigns; including a medal collection boasting three Victoria Crosses.

T&P Fire was appointed to supply, install, commission and maintain the new fire detection system. Installation was required on a like for like basis, and using the existing loop wiring. The work was programmed around the building's occupants and requirements, mostly taking place during normal working hours.