Case Study: Fire Alarm System Upgrade at Wokingham Town Hall
Last Updated: September 2026
The Challenge
Location: Wokingham, Berkshire
The beautiful Wokingham Town Hall is a Grade II* listed building with mixed-use occupancy, including three public function rooms available for hire and regularly used for weddings and events, the main Town Council offices and three retail units occupied by two restaurants and a locksmith/cobbler. The building was originally constructed as a police station and courthouse in 1860 and later accommodated a fire appliance in 1877.
As a Grade II* listed building, the Town Hall presents unique and complex challenges when undertaking fire safety improvements. Many of the walls, ceilings and architectural features are listed and therefore no surface cable runs or wall chasing can be carried out within the front of house areas, while elements of the building are of an ornate timber construction, creating a high fire load and increasing the importance of effective fire detection.
The existing fire alarm system was outdated and had been modified and extended over many years, making system integration, maintenance and ongoing management increasingly challenging. In addition, these additions and modifications had resulted in a mixture of fire alarm system categories and wiring types being installed throughout the building. Fire detection coverage across the premises was inconsistent and required upgrading to a full Category L2 fire alarm system to meet the needs of the building and its occupants.
The contract was awarded to Surrey Fire & Safety, who were selected based on a number of factors, including our experience in delivering fire alarm installations within complex and heritage buildings, as well as our ability to design, install and commission a compliant, future-proof fire alarm solution.
The Solution: Fire Alarm System Installation and Upgrade
To overcome the unique challenges presented by this Grade II* listed building, Surrey Fire & Safety designed, installed and commissioned a bespoke hybrid fire alarm solution, upgrading the premises to a Category L2 fire alarm system for life protection while also providing dedicated fire alarm systems for the three retail and restaurant units.
The design carefully balanced modern fire safety requirements with the need to preserve the building’s historic character. By combining advanced addressable fire alarm technology with wireless fire detection devices, the system delivered comprehensive fire coverage while minimising the need for intrusive cabling and disruption to protected architectural features.
The solution included:
- Advanced addressable fire alarm system
- EMS FireCell wireless fire alarm technology
- Wireless communication infrastructure
- Disabled refuge communication system
- Integrated fire alarm provision for the retail and restaurant units
- Enhanced fire detection coverage throughout the building
This hybrid approach enabled the Town Hall to achieve a modern standard of fire protection while preserving its historic fabric and maintaining normal operations throughout the installation process.
The Outcome
Reflecting on the project, Katy Hughes, Town Clerk at Wokingham Town Hall, commented:
“The team were very good to work with, accommodating our requirements and dealing with issues as and when they happened. The job was quite complicated, but the team showed great perseverance to find solutions and overcome challenges in order to ensure that the installation was done properly and to a high standard, and to help us achieve the outcome we wanted!”
The completed installation has provided Wokingham Town Hall with a modern, reliable and fully integrated fire alarm system designed to meet the needs of a complex, mixed-use building.
At the heart of the solution is an advanced addressable fire alarm system. Unlike conventional systems, every detector, manual call point and interface device is assigned a unique address, enabling the fire alarm control panel to identify the exact location of an activation quickly and accurately. This allows building managers and emergency responders to respond more effectively in the event of a fire.
Image of a touchscreen refuge panel behind a lockable glass door
The completed project has delivered a future-proof fire alarm solution that enhances life safety, improves system management and monitoring and provides comprehensive fire protection for the Town Hall, its occupants, visitors and neighbouring retail businesses, all while respecting the historic significance of this iconic Grade II* listed building.
Grade II* Listed Building Fire Safety
Fire safety is particularly important in Grade II* listed buildings, where the need to protect occupants must be carefully balanced with preserving the property’s historic and architectural features. Many listed buildings contain timber construction, concealed voids and heritage elements that can increase fire risk and make fire protection upgrades more complex. Effective fire detection and alarm systems play a vital role in providing early warning, supporting safe evacuation and minimising damage.
Need a Fire Alarm System for a Grade II* Listed Building?
Delivering fire safety improvements within listed and historically significant buildings requires careful planning, specialist knowledge and an understanding of conservation requirements.
As a BAFE-accredited fire protection company, Surrey Fire & Safety designs, installs and maintains compliant fire alarm systems that provide effective protection while minimising the impact on the building’s fabric and appearance.
Contact our team today to discuss your fire alarm project and discover how we can provide a bespoke fire detection solution for your building.