PRESTON TEMPLE

Carrying out a complete transformation of the fire and safety systems on a complex site

PRESTON TEMPLE

The Preston Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, built in 1994, is a major spiritual and architectural landmark in the North West of England. Situated at the Chorley junction of the M61 motorway, its elegant white Italian granite façade and spire surmounted by the gilded Angel Moroni make it a striking presence in the heart of the countryside. Serving congregations in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland, it is one of the largest Church temples in Europe.

Challenge

In 2020, the Temple's existing fire safety system failed; with the original installer refusing to intervene and other providers reluctant to commit to an outdated infrastructure, the Facilities Manager turned to Scutum. A temporary solution was quickly put in place to stabilise the situation, while a full replacement and upgrade was planned.
The Temple sits at the heart of a 15-acre estate, comprising a number of buildings, including visitor accommodation, an education centre, offices, function rooms, a chapel and landscaped gardens used by church members and the local community. The Temple and its site only close twice a year for essential maintenance, so accurate and reliable timescales were crucial.

Solutions implemented

Scutum was commissioned to install a complete fire safety and intruder alarm system throughout the site. In eight weeks, a team of ten technicians and in-house designers installed and commissioned a fully integrated solution.

1 - Fire alarm system

More than 900 detection points spread over seven panels, all connected to a central platform with detailed floor plans. Staff can now monitor and manage alerts remotely with real-time precision.

2 - Burglar alarm system

Modernised to integrate with the same central software, offering complete visibility of all the site's security points.

Scutum operates to the highest quality standards. Their staff inspire confidence with a genuine and proactive approach, and their exemplary customer service clearly sets them apart. They have been remarkably helpful, even when our IT department has made changes to access and servers - the Scutum team has always been available and ready to help. We are delighted with the results and look forward to a long-term partnership.

Results

The installation not only ensured full regulatory compliance, but also provided an unprecedented level of operational control across the site. Preston Temple, an extraordinary and much-loved venue in the North West, required a complex upgrade within a strict timescale. Despite these challenges, the team of designers and technicians worked seamlessly together to deliver a system that performs well, is scalable and now gives facility staff complete confidence in their operations.