Real World fire protection

Alarm system for world-famous Wiltshire recording studio

When a fire broke out at the world-famous Real World recording studios one evening, it was fortunate that there was someone on the premises. “It started in a machine room,” recalls Studio Manager Owen Leech, “and smoke was drawn into the air conditioning system which alerted one of our staff who was still in the building. It was possible to put the fire out quickly, but if it had happened in the middle of the night things could have been a lot worse.”

The fire focused thoughts on better future protection of the studio which has hosted recording sessions for artists such as Kylie Minogue, King Crimson and the Beautiful South. Real World, created by Peter Gabriel, occupies an idyllic old mill building in Box, Wiltshire, which has a dynamic extension at the rear surrounded by a lake, housing the main studio or ‘Big Room’. The conversion was completed in 1987 and the existing fire alarm dated from that time.

Alarms today are much more sophisticated and following a survey of the studio T H White recommended and installed an analogue-addressable fire alarm system. If a fire starts its exact location will be shown on the main

panels in the reception area and the studio; out of hours the system will automatically page the security staff and contact the fire brigade via Redcare.

The £18,000 installation was complex not only because of the size and nature of the premises, but also because of the need to trace old cabling routes through and around sound-proofed ceilings and floors, as well as to avoid disrupting the busy schedule of recording sessions. “I am pleased to go ‘on the record’ in saying the T H White guys were really efficient,” Owen added. “They often started early and worked odd hours to fit in with our programme, working sensitively to avoid any disruption at all.”