Fire-rated Glass Balustrade for Hanover & Winnipeg House

Installation of Fire-rated Glass Balustrade for Hanover & Winnipeg House, London

• Installer: Square 1 Architectural Solutions
• Location: Hanover & Winnipeg House, London
• System: Fire‑rated POSIglaze Base Drilled System with 23mm Pyroguard Balustrades Evo Glass

A new high-rise apartment building in London required safety barriers around its communal stairwell. The client wanted a contemporary, minimalist look and specifically requested a frameless glass balustrade system to keep the space light, open, and inviting.

Since the building has residential apartments above 11 meters, it is subject to the Building Regulations Amendment (2018) and Approved Document B – Fire Safety, which mandates that all balustrades must achieve an EN 13501-1 fire rating.

The installer summarised the core challenge clearly:

“The main challenge with any balustrade is always balancing the aesthetic requirements of the client against the structural capabilities of what we are fixing into.”

This challenge was heightened at Hanover & Winnipeg House, where the client specifically requested a frameless aesthetic:

“This was especially the case at Hanover and Winnipeg as they did not want the glass framed, which, of course, is essential with a fire-rated system.”

Fire-rated Glass Balustrade Regulations

Fire-rated glass balustrades have strict requirements:

•  Exposed laminated glass edges must be fully enclosed
•  Toughened glass must be supported with a continuous handrail to provide an additional barrier
•  Systems must be certified to EN 13501‑1.
•  Systems must also comply with BS 6180:2011

After careful explanation and consultation, the client understood the safety requirements:

“However, after explaining to them, it was accepted, and the finish was perfect for the location.”

Solution

To satisfy both aesthetic and safety requirements, Square 1 Architectural Solutions installed the POSIglaze Fire-rated System, a fully tested and certified solution for high-rise environments.

POSIglaze Fire-rated system features include:

•  Vertical trims and a protective stainless-steel handrail, ensuring all laminated glass edges are safely enclosed.
•  Full system tested to EN 13501‑1, achieving a classification of A2-s1, d0– meeting regulatory demands for limited combustibility and minimal smoke production.
•  Accredited to 0.74Kn to BS 6180:2011

With the addition of 23mm Pyroguard Balustrades Evo fire-rated glass, the POSIglaze fire-rated system meets all required regulatory standards.

The installer also noted the support provided throughout the process:

“As ever, technical back‑up from the Pure Vista team was first class.”

Outcome

The result is a modern, fully compliant glass balustrade installation that allows light to flood the stairwell, creating a bright and welcoming area for residents.