The “Niccolò Machiavelli” State Classical High School is the oldest high school in the province of Lucca and one of the oldest in Italy. The school’s administration is housed in the historic Palazzo Lucchesini, which contains rooms of great historical value, such as the physics lab, the natural history museum, and the anatomical theater with its ancient semicircular auditorium. The building spans four floors, featuring an inner courtyard, an 18th-century stone staircase, and a loggia that has been converted into museum spaces. In such a delicate architectural setting, any systems installation must balance safety, respect for the historic structure, and logistical feasibility.
Client requirements
As part of the restoration project —which included seismic retrofitting and safety upgrades —sponsored by the Province of Lucca, it became necessary to install a fire suppression system for the second phase of the work, following the conservation and restoration of the facades and roof. The main challenge concerned logistics: the institute is located within the city walls, with narrow access points and passageways that are ill-suited for the vehicles normally used to transport and install fire suppression systems of this type.
Idroelettrica's proposal
To meet the project’s client requirements, Idroelettrica proposed a
FIREBLOCK, installed on a special
reinforced concrete support structure provided by the customer. The solution includes:
- FIREBLOCK with a FIREBOX module containing a pressurization unit compliant with UNI EN 12845;
- additional components as required by UNI EN 12845 and UNI 11292, already connected and operational;
- a steel sheet water reserve tank integrated into the system;
- Planning for special logistics, using vehicles suitable for transporting and positioning the system, while taking into account the access restrictions in the historic center.
The Result
The project presented a significant logistical challenge, which the Idroelettrica team successfully managed thanks to careful planning, appropriate equipment, and on-site experience. Attention to detail made it possible to overcome practical difficulties and provide a professional service that was consistent with the building’s historical value and the institution’s client requirements.
Maurizio Montecchi, Professional Engineer
Public Works Coordination and Land-Use Planning Department, Province of Lucca.
I was extremely pleased with how, once again, Idroelettrica brilliantly resolved these very complicated client requirements for rental and placement.
