> Prepared in Haapajärvi
> Source: https://pap.fi/en/2019/03/haapajarvella-on-varauduttu/
> Full site in machine-readable form (in Finnish): https://pap.fi/llms-full.txt
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# Prepared in Haapajärvi

**The Kirkkonummi parish union knows that churches are immeasurably valuable national treasures that nothing can replace if they are destroyed. That is why careful preparations have been made, for example, for the possibility of arson.**

The first church in Haapajärvi, Kirkkonummi, was built in 1749. Its successor, a small red-ochre cruciform church, has been part of the rural landscape of Haapajärvi since 1823. During its history, the first of the churches suffered badly from floodwater and fire. The current church has also been in danger of being destroyed by a fire started by a lightning strike. In Kirkkonummi, it is understood that natural disasters can still happen today and that, in addition, the church could also be the target of a fire started by vandalism. That is why the fire protection of Haapajärvi church has been taken to a high level, both inside and outside the building.

## From old to new during a renovation

**Anna Antikainen**, property manager at the Kirkkonummi parish union, says that Haapajärvi moved into the modern era of fire protection during a larger renovation carried out in 2015–2016. “Repair work was carried out on the roof structure of our church, and as part of it the electrical installations were also renewed. The fire alarm system we had been using until then had hopelessly reached the end of its life, so it was natural to renew it as part of the renovation as well.”

Of the options available, PAP was chosen to carry out the renewal of the fire systems at Haapajärvi church thanks to the best price–quality ratio. In addition, Haapajärvi already knew from experience that PAP’s service was of high quality, as PAP had also been responsible for the annual maintenance and servicing of the church’s old fire alarm system.

In the comprehensive renewal, Haapajärvi church received not only a fire alarm system to protect its interior, but also an [aspirating sampling pipe](https://pap.fi/en/tuotteemme/naytteenottojarjestelmat/) installed in the attic, which detects smoke in the indoor air extremely sensitively. In addition, at PAP’s suggestion, fire protection was also extended to the outside of the church. “We had not thought of protecting the outside of the church ourselves, and PAP’s suggestion of a system installed outside the building was a very interesting idea. We thought that if a single linear heat detection cable could protect the church this well against arson and the damage it causes, then of course we would take up this means of protection.”

### A quick decision, an unobtrusive result

In practice, the decision to procure the external protection system was straightforward. The total cost of the system remained at a level that allowed Anna Antikainen to make the procurement decision under the purchasing authority granted to her as an office holder.

When considering the external protection system, Anna Antikainen thought about how new technology and an old, protected building would fit together. “When making the decision, I wondered how visible the linear heat detection cable installed on the outer wall of the church would be on the façade. After installation, however, I was pleased to find that the cable disappears well into the joint between the church’s stone base and the external cladding. Unless you know what to look for, you can hardly see it.”

Since commissioning, the system has otherwise required pleasingly little attention. “We do not have to keep track of the annual service dates ourselves. Whenever a service is due, PAP gets in touch with us and reminds us. At the agreed time, they also take care of the condition inspection and maintenance work on the system.”

### Prepare in advance, because sentimental value is priceless

When a building like a church is destroyed in a fire, no amount of insurance compensation can fully make good the damage. “Haapajärvi church is an irreplaceable building in terms of cultural history, and its sentimental value to the community is immeasurable. What is lost can never be recovered. That is why we chose to protect the church against destruction as well as possible in advance.”

Anna Antikainen urges parishes to pay special attention to the fire protection of the buildings they take pride in. “Log-built churches are often large buildings, and if a fire has time to break out into open flames before the rescue department arrives, the result is devastating. Far too much valuable cultural heritage has already been lost in Finland as a result of church arsons and attempted arsons.”