Fire protection in Magdeburg Cathedral – with GEZE’s wireless solutions for hold-open systems

As the tragic fire at Notre Dame has shown, modern fire protection is extremely important in a building as historically valuable and frequently visited as Magdeburg Cathedral. At the same time, building work on historical monuments must adhere to the applicable monument protection regulations when using fire protection doors to set up fire sections and installing additional smoke alarm systems. What’s more, there should be as little interference as possible in the architecture and structure of protected historical buildings.

The modernisation and fire protection measures commissioned by the Foundation for Cathedrals and Castles in Saxony-Anhalt (Stiftung Dome und Schlösser in Sachsen-Anhalt) were planned by Sußmann + Sußmann AR Magdeburg and constructed by Tischlerei Wagner, whilst the hold-open systems were installed and approved by Kötter & Siefker Bernburg.

The so-called Carpenter and Stonemason Room, which was long used as a storage area for parts and minor restoration works (jambs, statues, stucco areas, pillars etc.), is to be transformed into an exhibition and event space in future. The high number of visitors expected to use the space requires a possible hold-holding open of the doors. As the Carpenter Room is also planned as a separate fire protection section, the fire protection doors need to close automatically in case of alarm.

Due to the extremely high ceilings, two additional ceiling-mounted detectors are required here. Cables would need to have been concealed in the joints, which would have meant significant additional expenses in the joint area as well as some chiselling and slitting work. Monument protection issues would have required complex and time-consuming legal and regulatory approvals.

A good example of the interplay between ease of use and modern fire protection measures can be seen in the access to the organ loft, which can be reached via two doors. One side serves as an entry, the other side as an exit – meaning there is no scramble when the church choir comes and goes. Because of the many comings and goings at certain times, it is crucial that the doors close quietly and can be kept open if necessary – after all, a solemn service should not be disturbed by slamming doors.

At the same time, the hold-open systems must automatically close the fire doors in case of fire to prevent the spread of smoke and flames. It was particularly important to set up new fire protection closers for the organ loft, as only normal building doors were used here previously. There were no fire protection closers or other fire protection measures, only fire alarm systems.

Two new wooden fire protection doors were manufactured by Tischlerei Wagner from Körbelitz, Germany. GEZE TS 5000 R guide rail door closers with an electrical hold-open device, continuously adjustable closing force and integrated back check ensure that the doors close quietly and are kept open if necessary. The smoke switch control unit integrated in the hold-open system makes sure that the doors close automatically in case of fire.