Sector: Theatre
Location: Covent Garden, London
Site size: 1000 people
The Client
Towards the end of 2025, WLS were contacted by the compliance manager at a historic and well-renowned theatre in Covent Garden. During a routine fire risk assessment, undertaken to ensure the building was still BS5839-1 compliant, it was discovered that the theatre’s existing Gent fire alarm system exceeded the manufacturers recommended life-span recommendations. Typically, a Gent alarm system should be updated every 12 years. In this instance, the theatre’s system, which has over 100 devices, had been in place for 15.
Unhappy that their existing fire and security maintenance company had not discovered this issue prior to the fire risk assessment, the theatre’s compliance manager searched for alternative fire experts in London and contacted WLS directly for a complete Gent Fire Alarm system upgrade.
The Challenge
WLS have worked on multiple theatres and music venues over the last 40 years. These sites often have very particular and unique challenges associated with them. One common consideration is the height at which the work needs to be done. The main auditoriums can often be over 15 metres in height. In this instance, the main hall was just over 18 metres high and had 2 viewing balconies. Reaching the ceiling, to install smoke and heat sensors, was therefore particularly difficult. However, as the theatre had a wide access door, and a fairly large open auditorium floor, we were able to use an Electric Articulating Boom Lift to manoeuvre our engineers safely around the site.
Upon completing a site survey, we also identified that the ceiling void above the theatre stage had smoke detectors installed. As smoke effects are often required during shows, these devices had to be manually turned off during shows. Instead, an employee would have to complete a manual walking watch every 30 minutes as there was no detection during this time. Spotting that this was an inefficient use of time and resources, WLS recommended that we replaced the smoke detectors with combined smoke and heat detectors. This allowed the theatre to disable the smoke element of the alarm during shows, leaving the heat detector functional.
The Solution
Following a proactive site survey with our install team, WLS proposed an installation strategy to the theatre’s compliance manager. Beyond the ceiling height, and the specification adjustments mentioned above, WLS also worked closely with the theatre to find a suitable time for the installation to take place. Unsurprisingly, the theatre had frequent shows throughout the year so all installations had to be completed between performances. Although the work was originally scheduled to take 3 weeks, our Project Manager ascertained a 2 week window between shows at the beginning of the year, and increased our workforce to be able to carry the work out the installation and the commissioning.
Whilst on site, WLS installed a Gent Analogue Addressable Vigilon system, a Gent HLSS Gateway, to allow remote viewing of the system, and a variety of devices including smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points, sounder beacons and VADS. WLS also placed a repeater panel by reception. This allowed the theatre’s front-of-house team to switch the stage smoke and heat detectors to just heat detectors during performances from their front-desk.
As the fire alarm system was previously designed to an L1 specification, WLS followed the same scope, allowing for full detection audibility throughout the entire premises.
The Result
WLS were able to complete the full installation just six weeks after the customer’s initial enquiry. The customer found this particularly impressive, as the next 2-week window for a prospective installation was not until after easter. Being able to adjust to this tight deadline, gave the theatre complete piece of mind that they were not only completely compliant but that their audiences and visitors were now safe when attending productions.
Following the success of the job, the theatre signed with WLS to provide a Gent fire alarm maintenance contract, leaving their previous service provider. We look forward to keeping their premises safe for years to come.
WLS frequently receive enquiries from theatres and Music Venues, who are concerned about the life-span of their existing fire alarm systems. If you are unsure when your existing system was installed and whether they need to be updated, and would like a company with over 40 years’ experience working in the fire alarm industry to provide you with piece of mind, then contact us on [email protected].
