HMS Victory uses wireless fire detection as part of £35m renovation project

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

HMS Victory

Launched in 1765, HMS Victory was Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, and 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 design responsibility for the fire system that is providing cover within the temporary structure surrounding the ship, according to Hyfire.

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

The fire system was installed and interfaced into the existing onboard fire system, to offer more flexibility for it to 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.

“Amazing experience to play a part in future preservation”

“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.”

The fire panels are wired via a loop to translators, from which wireless devices are designed to 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.

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, Taurus features Pathfinder Technology, which is designed to allow the devices to communicate over 1km, point to point in open air, and further where expansion hops are used. Antenna technology has been ‘optimised’, aimed at opening communication across different frequencies and environments, which means that Taurus can do the job with less equipment and less batteries, according to the vendor.

Find out more about Hyfire’s Taurus range at IFSEC in May. The team will be on stand FI.2430. 

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