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The facilities director, vicar, sexton, and other staff members at the Old North Church in Boston's North End know a thing or two about the power of fire. It was here in this church's steeple where, on April 18, 1775, Sexton Robert Newman hung two lanterns to announce to Paul Revere that the British had arrived by sea and the war for independence was on. The people who work at this Episcopalian church today understand that, just as two lantern flames ignited a revolution, fire could also have a disastrous effect on this treasured facility, with its history, architectural beauty, an active congregation of 150 members, and hundreds of tourists visiting on a daily basis from all over the world.
Built in 1723, the Old North Church had relied for too long on antiquated fire safety equipment. In fact, until recently, the four buildings that comprise the church "campus" used one outdated master box to connect the church to the local fire department. Said Bob Modica, a sales consultant for Congress Alarm, "I'd be surprised if the black master box...