Protecting what matters: A complete life safety solution for a Whitstable freehouse

The Ship Centurion has been a fixture of Whitstable life since 1996. Founded by Jan and Armin Birk after returning from Germany, this Kent freehouse has built its reputation on cask ales, freshly prepared food and a genuine sense of community. Today, that legacy is in the hands of their son Roland, who is committed to keeping it exactly as his parents intended.

Preserving a building like the Ship Centurion takes the right protection. In a compact, characterful pub with a working kitchen, guest bedrooms, a bar, a games room and a cellar full of pipework, that protection needed to cover more than fire alone.

The challenge: Heritage, complexity and hidden Risk

When Acer Electrical, a Kent-based installer, was brought in to specify a life safety solution, they faced a building with real complexity. The pub's historical infrastructure made cabling a challenge, and the solution needed to be discreet as well as effective. Acer Electrical addressed this by routing cabling through the flooring void, keeping the pub's character intact while meeting the demands of a modern installation.

The fire detection system was built around Hochiki's ESP intelligent platform. Thirty-three ESP devices were installed across the building, each chosen to suit its environment. The kitchen received intelligent heat sensors; adjustable-sensitivity smoke sensors were installed throughout, reducing false alarm risk while maintaining reliable detection. Hochiki base sounders deliver up to 98 dB(A) of alarm volume, sitting discreetly within the building's fabric. The whole system is managed from a single Hochiki HFP addressable panel, keeping maintenance straightforward and expansion simple. The installation fully aligns with BS 5839-1, the code of practice for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises.

The water risk that cannot be ignored

For any facilities or property professional, the Ship Centurion's basement presents a familiar scenario. A cellar full of pipework, running continuously, largely out of sight. An undetected leak can accumulate quietly over weeks before it becomes visible. By that point, damage to flooring, structure and contents is already done.

Acer Electrical addressed this with Hochiki's LEAKtrace conventional water leak detection system. Operating independently from the fire alarm, LEAKtrace monitors the basement perimeter using a two-zone control panel, specialist detection cables and floor probes, activating at the first sign of moisture before water can spread or cause lasting damage. It is a cost-effective solution suited to smaller buildings, heritage environments and hospitality settings where water damage to a cellar or kitchen can mean days of lost revenue.

A solution that works as one

Roland Birk said: "Our new LEAKtrace and ESP system is much simpler and easy to use. The panel's interface is user-friendly and ensures we can monitor the entire system from one place. I would not hesitate to recommend Hochiki." 

To find out more about Hochiki's ESP and LEAKtrace ranges, visit the Hochiki website.