|
The Customer
Waddesdon Manor was built (1874-89), on a hilltop overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his superb collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world
It houses one of the finest collections of French 18th century decorative arts in the world. The furniture, Savonnerie carpets and Sèvres porcelain, rank in importance with the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Louvre in Paris. There is also a magnificent collection of portraits by Gainsborough and Reynolds.
Waddesdon was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1957 and opened to the public two years later.
The Challenge
The Manor is a Grade 1 listed building which necessitates that satisfactory security and fire protection measures are maintained at all times. The need arose to upgrade the radio communication system such that totally reliable radio coverage was obtained, and that the activation of the fire alarm system could be notified to key staff on the move.
The existing Fire Alarm had been in service for many years, and the new radio installation had to be not only compatible with this legacy equipment but also blended into the building with the absolute minimum of disruption.
|
The Benefits
The new system comprises a base station, unobtrusive antenna and a quantity of compact Kenwood handportables. Resound was able to obtain the operating licence from Ofcom in a short timescale, and project manage the complete installation. The Resound technical team worked closely with the fire alarm supplier to create a reliable connection point between the respective systems whilst maintaining continuous service. The new radio system now provides good quality communication, and the instant notification of fire panel activation to key staff in the form of an alert tone and a text message on selected handsets.
The handsets can be used with a discrete earpiece if required, which can be particularly helpful for staff who may be 'out of earshot' of audible alarms, or working outdoors with mechanical equipment and ear defenders.
Paul Worsley, Security Manager said “they do exactly what they said they would do, and if I ever have any problems, Resound are always quick to sort it out.”
For more information on this very popular attraction visit their website:
www.waddesdon.org.uk
|
