Protecting Chester’s Heritage with Smart Fire Safety
Few cities in the UK blend history and community quite like Chester. Its cobbled streets, black-and-white timber buildings, and world-famous Rows make it one of the most distinctive cityscapes in the country — a living reminder of centuries of craftsmanship, trade and culture.
Now, thanks to a new aspirating smoke detection system, these historic structures have been given a twenty-first-century layer of protection.
A pioneering upgrade for Chester’s Rows
The Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, working in partnership with Chester City Council, has completed a major fire-safety upgrade to the Rows — the unique elevated walkways and interconnected shops that run through the city centre.
According to the Fire Service, the project represents “a groundbreaking solution that provides early detection and ensures protection for some of Chester’s most iconic heritage buildings.”
(Source: Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service)
The system uses aspirating smoke detection (ASD) — a cutting-edge technology that continuously samples the air for microscopic smoke particles, often identifying potential fire risks before smoke is even visible to the human eye.
For buildings like the Rows, where timber structures, narrow passageways and interconnected units present a unique mix of risks, early detection is everything.
Why heritage buildings need smarter fire safety
Protecting historic environments brings a distinct set of challenges. Many heritage buildings were constructed long before modern fire regulations or materials existed. They often feature:
Exposed timber frames and beams, which can allow fire to spread rapidly once ignited.
Shared ceilings, floors and voids that make compartmentation difficult.
Limited space for installing traditional detection systems without damaging historic fabric.
High visitor numbers, with tourists, shoppers and staff moving through complex layouts.
Balancing preservation with protection requires both technical innovation and careful planning. The new ASD installation allows for early warning without intrusive installation, blending seamlessly into the fabric of the Rows while providing a vital safety net for the people and businesses within them.
More than compliance — protecting identity and livelihoods
Fire safety is often seen through the lens of regulation, but in Chester, it’s about far more than compliance.
The Rows are home to independent cafés, boutiques, and family-run shops — the kinds of small businesses that give the city its unique personality. For them, a serious fire wouldn’t just threaten property; it would risk livelihoods, supply chains, and the heritage character that draws visitors from around the world.
This initiative shows how proactive partnerships between local authorities, fire services, and property owners can protect not just buildings, but the very identity of a place.
Lessons for property owners and Responsible Persons
Whether your premises are heritage or modern, the principles remain the same:
Review your fire-detection systems regularly. Even well-maintained systems need reassessment as technology improves or occupancy changes.
Understand your building’s vulnerabilities. Heritage structures, listed properties and older sites require bespoke fire-risk assessments that account for construction type, access routes and historical limitations.
Coordinate with local fire services. Early engagement ensures your systems and evacuation plans align with emergency response expectations.
Integrate detection and management. Technology like ASD is most effective when supported by robust evacuation procedures, clear signage and trained staff.
Don’t rely on compliance alone. Meeting minimum standards is important — but true protection means going beyond them, particularly where history and community value are at stake.
How Fletcher Risk supports Chester’s buildings
At Fletcher Risk, we’re proud to be part of the Chester business community. Our work with local organisations, property managers and heritage custodians is focused on one goal: ensuring that fire safety supports the life of the city, not just its regulations.
We provide:
Comprehensive fire risk assessments tailored for both heritage and modern environments.
System integration reviews, ensuring new detection technology is matched with compliant procedures.
Ongoing compliance and maintenance planning, so protection doesn’t lapse over time.
Support for Responsible Persons, helping clarify duties under the Fire Safety Order and recent regulations.
Practical advice for small businesses, balancing safety, usability and cost-effectiveness.
By combining local insight with national best practice, we help Chester’s owners and occupiers protect both people and the character that makes this city special.
Final thoughts
The new aspirating smoke detection system for the Rows is more than a technical achievement — it’s a statement of values. It shows that innovation, collaboration and respect for history can coexist.
As Chester continues to evolve, projects like this remind us that fire safety is not about bureaucracy — it’s about stewardship: protecting the places that tell our shared story.
Whether you manage a listed property, a retail space or a new development, now is the perfect time to review your fire detection and evacuation arrangements.
👉 Contact Fletcher Risk to learn how we can help you protect your people, property and heritage — today and for the future.
Fletcher Risk Team - 30 October 2025
Disclaimer:
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, fire-safety requirements may vary depending on your building and local authority. For specific guidance or a formal Fire Risk Assessment, please contact Fletcher Risk or a qualified fire-safety professional.