Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires.
The Diocese of Lichfield covers all of Staffordshire, much of Shropshire and part of the Black Country and West Midlands.
SUMMARY OF SERVICES: Planned and reactive maintenance, installation and remote monitoring
SOLUTIONS: Fire detection, aspirating systems, portable fire extinguishers and dry risers
CONTRACT START/END: February 2017 – Ongoing
GEOGRAPHY: Lichfield, Staffordshire
Built between 1195-1340, Lichfield Cathedral is dedicated to St Chad and Saint Mary. Its internal length is 113 metres (370 feet), and the breadth of the nave is 21m (68′). The central spire is 77m (252′) high and the western spires are about 58m (190′).
The Cathedral represents one of the oldest and most precious sites within Marlowe Fire & Security’s extensive national maintenance portfolio.
In 2017, Marlowe Fire & Security was awarded the planned preventative and corrective maintenance and monitoring contract for the integral fire life safety systems within the site, incorporating fire detection, aspirating systems, portable fire extinguishers and dry risers.
The contract was awarded based on our strength operating within other listed, historical and heritage properties including; the Durham University estate and various properties on behalf of English Heritage.
In 2018, Marlowe Fire & Security was contracted to undertake necessary remedial and improvement works to the existing fire detection and aspirating systems. The project incorporated the installation of 3x New Fire Beam detectors within the; Transept, South Nave Aisle and North Nave Aisle providing the building enhanced protection. In addition the Project Team undertook extensive rectification works to the installed aspirating system, utilising specialist lift equipment to ensure the protection of the historic architecture.
Specialist consideration of the environment and activities of the site was undertaken when planning the work. The Project Team worked around the Cathedral’s schedule incorporating breaks at; 0800 – 0830 for Morning prayer, 1230 – 1315 for Eucharist, 1730 – 1830 for Evening song. Each Hour the Team stopped work for 2 Minutes to allow for hourly prayer.
Working in such an environment was highly sensitive Marlowe Fire & Security undertook to install only the best and most future proof equipment possible not only to reduce false alarm activations but to ensure the innovative system could be sensitively hidden within the gothic structure without affecting performance. All cable was neatly hidden using the new Linian Fire Clips – fully compliant and screwless.