Bringing fire safety systems in older buildings up to modern standards is one of the most challenging responsibilities facing FM and estates teams. Whether it’s a heritage site, a listed university building, a busy hospital ward or an operational public-sector facility, the need to upgrade alarms, sprinklers, detectors and emergency lighting must be balanced with preservation, continuity and minimal disruption…
Successful retrofit projects rely on careful planning, sensitive engineering and close collaboration between fire specialists, conservation teams and building users. The goal is to deliver 21st-century protection while respecting the constraints of 19th-century (or older) architecture and ensuring buildings remain safe and functional throughout.
Planning Around People, Purpose and Protection
Older buildings rarely allow for the clean installation pathways seen in modern construction. They often lack ceiling voids, have historically significant finishes, or cannot be vacated during the retrofit.
Best practice begins with a detailed fire strategy review, including:
- Current fire detection and alarm performance
- Building fabric and compartmentation integrity
- Occupancy patterns and operational requirements
- Access limitations and heritage considerations
- Interface requirements with existing or neighbouring systems
This upfront assessment allows FM teams to map works around operational needs, especially critical in hospitals, care facilities, and live education environments.
Using Wireless and Hybrid Solutions to Reduce Disruption
One of the biggest advancements in fire safety retrofits is the rise of wireless and hybrid fire alarm systems. These technologies minimise cabling, reduce the need to penetrate walls or ceilings, and dramatically shorten installation time.
Benefits include:
- Preservation of sensitive building fabric
- Faster deployment in live environments
- Flexible detector placement
- Reduced health and safety impact on occupants
- Easier future expansion or reconfiguration
In heritage buildings, wireless systems often provide the only viable route to compliance without structural alteration.
Upgrading Sprinklers and Suppression with Care
Many older estates lack modern suppression systems due to perceived disruption. However, mist-based suppression, modular pump units, and zone-by-zone installation techniques now allow sprinklers to be retrofitted without major downtime.
Low-water mist systems, in particular, are well suited to heritage buildings where water damage must be minimised.
Emergency Lighting: Smarter, Safer, Simpler
LED emergency lighting with self-test capability has become the standard for retrofits. These systems reduce maintenance visits, avoid corridor disruption, and improve compliance accuracy through automated reporting.
For buildings with architectural constraints, discreet or custom-finish luminaires help maintain aesthetic integrity.
Collaborative Working Is Key
Retrofitting in occupied or sensitive buildings requires exceptional communication. FM teams now rely on:
- Phased installation programmes
- Night-time or term-break scheduling
- Temporary detection zones to maintain safety
- Real-time communication with building users
- Tight integration with conservation officers on heritage sites
Bringing Legacy Estates Into the Future
With modern wireless systems, smarter lighting, low-impact suppression technologies and rigorous planning, upgrading fire safety systems no longer requires major disruption or compromise. FM leaders can deliver fully compliant, future-ready fire protection, even in the most challenging legacy estates.
Are you searching for Fire Safety & Equipment solutions for your organisation? The FM Forum can help!
Photo by Anthony Riera on Unsplash
