Preserving History and Life Safety at Ten Trinity Square, London
Originally opened in 1922 as the grand headquarters of the Port of London Authority, Ten Trinity Square is a Grade II* listed landmark building directly overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Following an extensive restoration and redevelopment programme, this historic structure reopened in its current prestigious role as the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square.
When housing thousands of guests and visitors each year, protecting high-occupancy luxury environments whilst respecting heritage architecture requires uncompromised life safety infrastructure. The Mineral Insulated Copper Clad (MICC) cable installation at Ten Trinity Square predates the building's current use as a hotel, delivering continuous, uninterrupted fire survival protection for over two decades.
Key Project Specification Summary
- Project Location: Ten Trinity Square, London (Four Seasons Hotel London)
- Building Status: Grade II* Listed Landmark
- Cable Manufacturer: Wrexham Mineral Cables (WMC)
- Distributor / Wholesaler: CEF Stratford
- Main Contractor Representative: Ardmore Construction
- Cable Specifications:
- 1,000+ metres of 500V Orange MICC Cable (Emergency Lighting)
- 500+ metres of Red MICC Cable (Fire Alarm Network)
- Coverage: Installed across 4 floors
- Service Life to Date: 20+ years of proven, maintenance-free operation
The Challenge: Uncompromising Fire Resistance for a Heritage Landmark
Specifying fire-resistant cabling for a major Grade II* listed building presents unique engineering and architectural challenges. The installation required a cabling solution capable of meeting stringent safety parameters:
- Protect Critical Life Safety Circuits: Safeguard vital emergency systems throughout the building.
- Ensure Uninterrupted Fire Performance: Maintain complete circuit integrity and operational status under real fire conditions.
- Support Historic Preservation: Minimise physical interventions and structural disruptions within a landmark building.
- Low Lifetime Maintenance: Deliver decades of reliable performance without requiring frequent servicing or cable replacement.
- High-Occupancy Reliability: Provide absolute dependability for thousands of hotel guests, staff, and visitors.
Because heritage buildings involve complex layouts and high occupancy, any delay or failure in life safety circuits during an incident can have severe consequences. The project demanded a long-term solution that contractors could trust for decades to come.
The Solution: Proven MICC Cable Infrastructure from Wrexham Mineral Cables
To meet these strict demands, Mineral Insulated Copper Clad (MICC) cable was specified for its inherent fire performance, durability, and long service life.
Installed across four floors, MICC cables power critical life safety systems designed to remain operational during an emergency. Unlike conventional cable systems, MICC features inorganic construction that does not burn, contribute to flame spread, or emit smoke and toxic fumes. It continues functioning under extreme fire conditions, ensuring emergency lighting and fire alarm networks remain fully powered when needed most.
Cable Volumes and Accessories Supplied
Wrexham Mineral Cables supplied:
- 1,000+ metres of 500V Orange MICC Cable dedicated to the emergency lighting system.
- 500+ metres of Red MICC Cable supporting the building-wide fire alarm network.
- Complete System Accessories: A full suite of matching glands, seals, clips, and specialised installation tools to ensure seamless execution.
Efficient Supply Chain Execution via CEF Stratford
The cabling project was supplied locally through CEF Stratford, enabling electrical contractors to call off stock as required. This reliable supply line ensured materials arrived on-site in line with strict timelines, keeping installation schedules strictly on track.
Contractor Insight: Why MICC Was Chosen
At the time of specification, representatives from the construction company highlighted the iconic status of Ten Trinity Square and long-term maintenance expectations as key factors in selecting MICC:
"In the event of a fire we need reliable cabling systems that will work when required and reduce the number of false alarms within the building. MICC was also chosen for its lifespan, as we anticipate the cables won’t require maintenance for the next 20 years plus."
Key Project Results and Long-Term Value
- 20+ Years of Dependable Service: The installed MICC cable has exceeded its initial 20-year benchmark without performance degradation.
- Four Floors of Life Safety Protection: Comprehensive emergency lighting and fire alarm network coverage.
- Unrivalled Circuit Integrity: Complete fire survival infrastructure designed to keep critical life safety systems live under extreme heat.
- Reduced Life-Cycle Costs: Exceptionally low maintenance requirements over more than two decades, protecting both the building and operating budgets.
- UK-Manufactured Assurance: Supplied with nationwide stock availability and next-day delivery capabilities from Wrexham Mineral Cables.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes MICC cable suitable for listed buildings like Ten Trinity Square?
MICC cable has a compact outer diameter and incredible physical durability, allowing it to fit into tight architectural spaces with minimal structural intrusion. Its inorganic copper sheath and magnesium oxide insulation mean it will not degrade over time, protecting historic building fabric from disruptive replacement works.
How does MICC cable maintain circuit integrity during a fire?
Unlike organic polymeric cables that burn or melt under direct exposure to flame, MICC cable is constructed purely from inorganic materials (copper and magnesium oxide). It can withstand extreme temperatures approaching the melting point of copper (1,083°C), continuing to carry electrical current to keep emergency lighting and fire alarms fully operational when needed most.
Why use red and orange MICC cables for life safety installations?
Colour coding aids quick identification during maintenance and routine inspection. Standard UK installation practise typically specifies orange MICC cable for emergency lighting systems, whilst red MICC cable is dedicated to fire alarm and detection networks.
Partner with Wrexham Mineral Cables for Your Next Project
With a long-standing history of supplying high-performance, UK-manufactured fire survival cables, Wrexham Mineral Cables delivers safety solutions built to last generations.
Whether you are restoring a heritage landmark or specifying critical safety infrastructure for a new high-occupancy commercial project, contact our technical team today to discuss your project specifications or arrange next-day stock delivery.
For further information download the Ten Trinity Square Report or alternatively Contact Us directly.