Midland Fire weaves modern fire protection into local Victorian textile mill
Our expert team at Midland Fire was recently approached by Bowmer Bond, a specialist manufacturer of woven webbing based in Derbyshire. The client needed a new fire alarm system installed at their main production site, a textile mill in Ashbourne that dates back to 1866.
The Midlands is home to many heritage brands like Bowmer Bond that have shaped our local area and continue to enrich the community with longstanding family values and a commitment to quality craftsmanship. Often, these brands still proudly operate from the historical properties in which they have long been based, making every effort to keep original buildings and manufacturing processes intact.
The reason we work a lot with heritage brands is that certain elements of their business do need modernising, including their fire safety systems, which was the case for Bowmer Bond. Their textile mill remains a flourishing manufacturing environment, so the client needed a modern and fully compliant fire alarm system in order to continue protecting their staff and business activity.
We worked closely with the client to design and install a reliable, future-ready fire alarm system tailored to the unique characteristics and operations of the mill. This project combined the use of modern fire detection technology with a considered approach to working within a long-established Victorian mill.
“Throughout the project, Midland Fire consistently demonstrated a high level of competence, attention to detail and commitment to quality, which gave us complete confidence at every stage of the process.
From initial planning through to execution and final handover, the team was always willing to go the extra mile to resolve challenges and maintain progress. Their clear communication, reliability and strong understanding of the project requirements were instrumental in achieving a smooth and successful outcome.”
Rebecca Macartney, Finance Director @ Bowmer Bond Narrow Fabrics Ltd
Bowmer Bond
Established in 1795, Bowmer Bond is an experienced designer and manufacturer of woven webbing for both commercial and industrial use. The business supplies to global clients across a diverse range of industries who use their webbing as a component in their finished products.
The company mainly operates from a Victorian textile mill in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, with a second weaving mill in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The sites house a range of specialist equipment, from traditional shuttle looms to more modern high-speed needle looms.
The Bowmer Bond workforce is made up of over 100 employees, all of whom are equally as important to the ongoing success of the business. In 2022, the company became an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT), a move which offers long-term employment stability and helps retain the values and culture which sit at the heart of the business.
Keeping their employees and craft as safe as possible is Bowmer Bond’s priority, which is where we come in.
Fire alarm system installation at Bowmer Bond
The project
For this project, our engineers designed and installed a Gent addressable fire alarm system in Bowmer Bond’s Ashbourne textile mill. We also set up remote monitoring, meaning that in case of a fire, an alert will be sent directly to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) as well as to building managers. This ensures the fastest emergency response, reducing the risk of harm or damage.
In the design phase of this project, our client’s insurer initially recommended installing a Category P2 fire alarm system in the property. However, following a detailed consultation and review of the client’s operational needs, our team advised that a Category L1 system would provide the most robust life safety coverage and overall protection for the premises. As employee safety is the highest priority for Bowmer Bond, all parties collectively agreed that a Category L1 system was the best choice.
Following installation, our team tested and commissioned the system, providing all the necessary documentation and training for our client to move forward safely.
The challenges
The main challenge presented by this project was simply the age of the building! Being over 150 years old, Bowmer Bond’s Victorian mill wasn’t built with modern fire safety infrastructure in mind, with thick masonry walls and a complex layout. Luckily, our team has extensive experience working in historic buildings, so we were able to carefully plan how to route cabling and position devices without causing any damage to the original property features.
As the site is a working textile mill, we also had to carefully phase and coordinate our work to ensure zero disruption to the client’s day-to-day production activities. We were mindful of the manufacturing environment, which produces plenty of fibres and dust, when choosing and positioning the detection technology, so as to minimise false alarms and make sure the system remains reliable.
The result
Our engineers were proud to report that the fire alarm installation was successfully completed on time and to a high standard. We received extremely positive feedback from the site team, whose historical property and heritage brand are now fully protected from the risk of fire.
“It was a privilege to complete this project for Bowmer Bond and help protect a well-respected heritage brand and local employer. We helped the client choose the most suitable fire safety system for their business, and developed a fully bespoke design to keep their people safe and operations running.”
Daniel Thompson, Contracts Manager @ Midland Fire Security Services
Why we chose a Category L1 fire alarm system
Given the size, layout and operational demands of Bowmer Bond’s busy textile mill, our team recommended a Category L1 fire alarm system to provide the highest level of life protection.
An L1 system ensures automatic fire detection is installed in all areas of the building, helping to identify potential fire risks at the earliest possible stage. In a complex manufacturing environment like this, where there are different types of work areas and machinery, we needed a system that was robust, offering complete protection for all building occupants, so Category L1 best fit the bill.
The key benefits of a Category L1 system include:
- Automatic detection across all areas of the building.
- Early warning to support fast evacuation.
- Reduced risk of fire spreading before detection.
- Enhanced protection for both people and property.
- Compliance with recognised fire safety standards.
Choose Midland Fire for expert fire alarm system installation
We offer full fire alarm system installation, maintenance and commissioning across the Midlands and throughout the UK. Supporting contractors, commercial clients and public sector organisations of all shapes and sizes, our experienced engineers can help you, whatever type of building you own or manage.
We’ll work closely with your business to plan and deliver the optimum safety solutions bespoke to your premises, ensuring your systems are fully integrated and compliant with UK standards.
At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. For more information and a free consultation, contact Midland Fire Security Services Ltd.
