Amax Security's Fire Security Apparatus Protects Prestigious Neasden Temple

Amax Security has provided a fire and protective systems for the prestigious Hindu ‘Neasden Temple' in London

Opened in 1995, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is Europe's first traditional Hindu temple, occupying a site of over 100,000ft². The temple site includes a substantial pillarless prayer hall, as well as facilities including a sports hall, kitchen, conference halls and office accommodation. In addition to protecting the temple site, Amax Security has provided similar equipment to safeguard The Swaminarayan School located opposite the temple, as well as a co-located Shayona shop and restaurant, plus an adjacent Akshar IT Centre.

Muniraj Swami, who acts as building manager for this complex of facilities, confirms that a sophisticated CCTV system, specified and installed through Amax Security, keeps watch on visitors, staff, pupils and others. A 24-hour security team overseeing all of the buildings uses the surveillance measures to monitor activities and confirm any alarms triggered by an intruder alarm system provided by Amax. This is used, for instance, to keep tabs on certain areas within the temple buildings and flag up potential problems.

"The temple is in use around the clock, so we are very busy," Muniraj explains. "We welcome visitors daily and these include school parties interested in learning more about Hinduism and our activities here. So it's important for us to have adequate arrangements in place to ensure safety for everyone, at all times - hence our ongoing relationship with Amax Security.

"We previously used one of the big multi-national security companies, but were dissatisfied with the service they provided. So when we met Pradeep Mehta from Amax Security and talked to him about the alternatives, we leapt at the chance, and since then Amax has given us consistently good response to our needs. We've found that Prad is trustworthy, honest and open - he bends over backwards to help us when we need it and is always someone I can confidently turn to. That's why we invited Amax to get involved with the fire and security measures at our school, as well as the shop and IT centre. Amax has also now protected our new Mandir in Wellingborough, Northants, which was inaugurated in August 2009."

Prad Mehta, Chairman of Amax Security, adds that the measures used at the different site buildings include fire alarm systems and extinguishers - an expanding area of Amax's portfolio. The equipment supplied and installed provides reassurance for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan staff including teachers at The Swaminarayan School, which predates the temple, having been founded in 1992. This co-educational facility, catering for children from 2½-18 years, is the first Hindu school in the Western Hemisphere.