Fire security at National Library

Alberta, the fire-fighting and security company, has had its fire security installation work on Malta`s National Library featured in The Monitor, the newsletter produced and distributed by Apollo Fire Detectors of the UK.

Alberta and Apollo jointly undertook the project to install a fire detection and suppression system.

Alberta said there was previously no adequate protection at the library, even though it contained unique and valuable volumes dating back several centuries.

Though the need for such protection had long been acknowledged, financing only became possible through funding under the 4th Italo-Maltese financial protocol.

A survey of the building revealed that its entire electrical system had to be replaced. The wiring had been adapted over the years to meet the changing needs of the library, and had become a fire risk, Alberta said.

The library building was compartmentalised and timber doors between halls were replaced by fire-doors providing a two-hour resistance time to flames.

The doors are designed to close automatically as soon as fire is detected anywhere within the building.