United States
Client
Ringerike Church Council
Partner: Hønefoss Vaktselskap
The Ringerike Church Council is responsible for the preservation, daily operation, and community use of several historic churches in the region. Their work includes maintaining centuries-old wooden structures, ensuring visitor safety, and protecting cultural heritage against modern risks, such as vandalism and fire.
Challenge
Protecting a centuries-old church from fire and intrusion without invasive security system installation
The Ringerike Church Council needed to secure a choir church dating back to 1170. As the building is protected by the state antiquarian, all installation work had to comply with strict preservation requirements.
The existing wired system frequently triggered false alarms and required ongoing maintenance. The council therefore sought a modern solution that could deliver reliable fire safety, intrusion protection, and video surveillance — all without compromising the church's historical integrity.
Solution
Wireless 3-in-1 solution combining certified fire safety, intrusion protection, and video surveillance
Hønefoss Vaktselskap proposed a wireless Ajax security system as it offers fire safety, intrusion protection, and video surveillance in a single modern solution that required no invasive installation. Replacing multiple outdated systems with the unified Ajax ecosystem eliminated exposed wiring, reduced maintenance workload, enabled remote configuration, and centralized system control via a single app.
The church was equipped with devices from the EN54 Line — a fully wireless fire detection and alarm solution compliant with EN 54 requirements and designed for fast deployment and high reliability. The setup included EN54 Fire Hub Jeweller, smoke and heat detectors, and visual alarm devices (VADs).
EN54 Fire Hub Jeweller allows installers to combine EN 54 fire detection with EN 50131 (Grade 2) intrusion protection, automation, and video surveillance in a single system. Its sleek touch screen and intuitive interface provide detailed fire system states and alarm notifications, ensuring staff receive immediate, easy-to-understand alerts about any fire-related event.
EN54 FireProtect (Smoke) Jeweller and EN54 FireProtect (Heat) Jeweller devices provide reliable detection of smoke and rapid temperature changes, ensuring early fire identification. In an emergency, FireProtect (VAD) Jeweller activates visual alerts within three seconds. In addition, ManualCallPoint (Red) Jeweller devices were installed to allow personnel to trigger alarms manually when needed.
For intrusion protection, the system was expanded with a keypad, outdoor sirens, as well as opening and motion detectors. DoorProtect Jeweller secures doors, windows, and skylights by detecting opening events. MotionProtect Jeweller ensures reliable motion detection using advanced algorithms that minimize false alarms.
StreetSiren Jeweller delivers loud audible alerts and bright LED indication to draw attention to security events and deter intruders. KeyPad TouchScreen Jeweller is used for day-to-day system management, offering flexible authentication options and displaying recent alarms and events directly on its screen.
As for video surveillance, BulletCam and DomeCam Mini cameras were deployed to cover the church exterior — such as entrances, utilities, and surrounding areas — and interior elements, including the intricate pipe organ. Both cameras feature AI-powered object recognition and deliver 4K video streams with IR illumination, ensuring clear visibility at night and in low-light conditions. Recording scenarios were configured by installers, enabling quick archive navigation to locate the required footage. Recordings can be accessed via mobile, desktop, and TV apps, providing reliable oversight anytime, anywhere.
System configuration, testing, and daily operation can be handled via Ajax apps, either remotely or on site. Users can change security modes, receive instant notifications, get visual alarm verification, and monitor the on-site situation from anywhere. Fire alarms are transmitted directly to Hønefoss Vaktselskap's monitoring software, enabling professional supervision and rapid response.
Preserving history with minimal intervention
Ajax addresses all essential needs of the church council within a single ecosystem: EN 54 certified fire safety, Grade 2 intrusion protection, and 24/7 video surveillance. The system is easy to scale or reconfigure as requirements change, with all devices managed via Ajax apps — including remote maintenance, software updates, and scenario configuration.
This unified approach provides reliable, long-term protection while keeping daily operation simple. Following the successful deployment, the church council intends to extend the solution to other churches under its management and safeguard more heritage sites.
Why Ajax
- Wireless, non-invasive installation. The system was installed without drilling or structural modifications, preserving the historical integrity of the 12th-century church while meeting modern fire safety and security certification requirements.
- One system for fire safety, intrusion protection, and video surveillance. Instead of maintaining multiple outdated systems, the church now relies on a single ecosystem that covers all core security needs. This simplifies daily operation and reduces the risk of overlooked incidents.
- Unified remote management. The monitoring company supervises fire alarms, intrusion events, and camera feeds within a single system rather than across separate platforms. This enables faster response, easier maintenance, and efficient remote configuration.
