"radiation shielding fire bricks"

To meet the passive fire protection requirements for a new 27 storey high-rise student accommodation in the centre of the thriving Welsh capital of Cardiff, Siderise, leaders in the development of fire, thermal and acoustics insulation solutions, has provided cavity barriers and firestops as part of the curtain walling system.

IntroductionThe Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has been installed as part of a major housing project , Park East in South East London, helping to improve efficiency onsite, and to exceed building regulations.OverviewPark East is a £95 million development in Erith, designed by ECD Architects and developed by Wates Group. The project comprises 320 new homes, of which 20% are for private sale, 24% for Shared Ownership, and 56% for rent in order to accommodate a mixed tenure community. The modern, stylish homes are in close proximity to the local amenities and parks, with excellent transport links to London.Working alongside brickwork contractor Lee Marley Brickwork, Keyfix supplied 3,772m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT), 3,528 units of corners, and 20,774 units of its Non-combustible Weep Vents to this project. Keyfix’s sister company Keystone Lintels supplied 890m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray Lintel, which was powder coated as per the client’s request.Challenge The main challenge faced on this project was the brevity of the programme, which ran from November 2020 to November 2021. As the project was time sensitive, the main contractor required an accredited solution which could be supplied in line with the tight-build programme. Keyfix’s NCCT presented the ideal solution to this challenge.SolutionKeyfix was able to meet the client’s objectives by providing products in accordance with their tight-build programme. To ensure the maximum efficiency of installation, Keyfix designed various types of bespoke units including preformed corners and pier units to assist Lee Marley brickwork in keeping to its the fast-paced build programme. Due to the scale of the project, the products were prefabricated, allowing the brickwork to be conducted swiftly. Despite the bespoke nature of the products, the first delivery was made just two months after the initial enquiry in September.Duncan Marley, Contracts Director at Lee Marley Brickwork commented: “On the Park East development we required various bespoke products and Keyfix were able to provide a quick turnaround on those. The Keyfix NCCT also helped us to save time significantly because the system is so quick to install. Keyfix also provided us with a scheduled breakdown of components which was a great help.”The Keyfix NCCT was specified due to its ‘one-piece system’ which allows for a very simple and efficient installation. The system is self-supporting as it doesn’t require fixing back to the internal frame, therefore saving valuable time. Additionally, the adjustability of the perp joint allows for the cavity trays to be shunted to match the brick coursing on site, ensuring consistency in the brickwork formation.The NCCT was also chosen due to its A1 fire rating. It is made from non-combustible Grade 304 stainless steel which will never contribute to fire loading in the building. This fully compliant system ensures that the Park East buildings will be future-proofed against the implementation of tighter regulations.The non-combustible nature of the product makes it an effective solution to provide DPC protection over lintels, masonry supports, soffit systems and other elements in the cavity such as fire barriers. Additionally, the fact that the Keyfix NCCT does not rely on tape or mastics to form its watertight joints negates the prevalent cause of product failure and creates a more robust system altogether.In addition to providing NCCTs, Keyfix identified where it could offer technical support, and provided a full technical review of architects drawings, a comprehensive mark-up, and a scheduled breakdown of component location. The team also attended design meetings to ensure that the products were being used correctly, as well as hosting a Tool Box Talk prior to the first install to ensure the system was installed properly.Commenting on the NCCT, Kieran Coyle of Keyfix stated, “The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray is an A1 fire rated system, ensuring our customers peace of mind as their buildings are future-proofed and safeguarded against fire, as well as our on-site benefits.”The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has played an important part in the creation of a safe new-build development for future tenants to enjoy.

Safety Technology International have donated protective covers to help a local community charity with false alarms at a time when they need it most.Wildgoose Rural Training is a charitable care farm in Hallow, just outside of Worcester, that supports adults and young people with a variety of learning disabilities.Starting in 2000 with just a handful of students, Wildgoose has grown into a 42-acre site with a thriving 6-acre farm where students from all backgrounds can learn horticulture, animal care, woodworking, arts and crafts, and carry out conservation work.Wildgoose supports students in a ‘happy and inclusive family atmosphere’ and focuses on teaching practical and meaningful land-based skills.One student had recently taken a liking to setting off the fire alarms in the main building at Wildgoose, resulting in frequent unnecessary evacuations.Not only did this cause a great deal of upheaval in having to evacuate the students from their buildings to the fire assemble points, but in students with sensory sensitivity and hearing issues these fire alarms caused a great deal of distress, panic and shock.On contact with STI, Wildgoose were recommended the Euro Stopper® call point covers with a sounder alarm to discourage the student from setting off the fire alarm. The protective covers were duly installed over the call points in their main building to prevent accidental or malicious tampering with the fire alarm without restricting legitimate operation in an emergency.Managing director of Wildgoose Rural Training Centre, Jim Hidderley said: “The call point covers provided by STI have reduced our regular false fire alarms from a weekly occurrence down to 0, the covers with sounders prove to be a sufficient deterrent from any mischievous hands.”“More importantly, the cover has ensured that our students are not put under any stress that is unwarranted due to false fire alarm triggering”The Euro Stopper® is a tough polycarbonate cover that can withstand the toughest of knocks and has an optional 96dB integral sounder that draws immediate attention to the area to dissuade unwanted activation of call points, therefore reducing false fire alarms.

This stunning contemporary home situated in Waterford features Kingston Facing Brick from Tobermore. MDP + Partners’ concept was to create an introverted house, using two separate forms. These blocks were defined in material and scale, to create a private garden that the home is centred around. The one-off build incorporates indoor/outdoor living by connecting the south-facing garden.

This project in North London was created with the intention of enhancing the housing stock of the location and providing a positive contribution to the texture, grain and building types within the conservation area. To achieve this appearance, Wienerberger's Marziale brick was used. Additionally, a carefully selected mortar, using white cement, lime and washed river sand and a subtle manipulation of the surface, was applied to enhance the quality of the brickwork.

An independent residential mental health facility, which houses 16 residents with long-term mental health illnesses, has recently been completed in Bedwas South Wales. To ensure the facility complemented the local area, OMI Architects specified Wienerberger's Anglesey Weathered Buff brick, as its patina and worn nature generate harmony with its surrounding area.

Location: Tooley Street, London BridgeProject: RestaurantProduct: Raking Fascia Secret Fix Soffit Panels (facetted to both concave and convex radii)Finish: United Anodisers Anolok Bronze 541Fire Rating: A1 – Non-combustibleProduct: Plain Verge Fascia Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7013 Brown Grey MattFire Rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Tom Sellers Restaurant StoryArchitect: Spacecraft ArchitectsMain Contractor: McGee Ltd

The challengeA leading UK water company refurbished its headquarters in Warrington, which included a full office fit-out and building a staff gymnasium. The solutionThe project utilised glass in the new gym as the light transmission was a priority. Arkoni, a fabricator based in West Yorkshire worked with Pyroguard to deliver a clean cut glass screen without the unsightly black edges often found on other fire glass screens. The glass chosen for the gym was the EI30 INT fire glass in a butt joint format, offering clean almost invisible joints similar to standard non-fire-rated screens.

Selectaglaze helps create and enhance a computer suite at London homelessness charity, Caritas Anchor House as part of their on-going relationship with the CRASH charity. CRASH Chief Executive, Francesca Roberts contacted Selectaglaze asking if they would be willing to donate secondary glazing for the computer suite at Caritas Anchor House. Selectaglaze was happy to contribute and involved Pilkington with them donating the fire-resistant glass to support the installation. Three Series 40 units with 10mm Pyrodur fire-rated glass were installed, which has a beaded fixed frame system offering 30 minute fire integrity protection.

This central public transportation hub has a light-filled, vibrant and inviting atmosphere thanks to light columns – a structurally expressive skylight and walkable glass floor combination that brings sunshine into the building. This innovative solution has met the most demanding requirements for a fire-rated glass floor and skylight to date; 2-hour fire rating, blast, and seismic resistance, plus live loading for foot traffic. It involves horizontal fire-rated glass, structural glass, and spacers with air-gaps to avoid replacing glass due to dirt and condensation issues that would develop with foot traffic and the outdoor environment.

No.1 Forbury Place in Reading, UK, is the largest butt-jointed fire-rated glazing construction in Europe and features Vetrotech's oversize fire-resistant glass, Contraflam Mega. The project comprises more than 1,400 m2 of Vetrotech’s EI30 fire resistant glazing solution: Contraflam. On the ground floor of the 8-story atrium Contraflam Mega single panes are installed with heights of 4.5 m and weights up to almost 0.5 t. The 4-sided vitreous atrium from the first to the seventh floor has been fully equipped with Vetrotech’s Contraflam Structure flush glazing solution.

Safeshield XT Reflect A2-s1, d0 fire rated wall membrane was used in the recladding of the Genting Casino, Premier and Holiday Inns.RIVERLIGHTS DERBY, MORELEDGEA complete re-cladding on the exterior of the Genting Casino, Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, part of the Riverlights location in Derby city centre, including Safeshield XT Reflect A2-s1, d0 fire rated construction membrane.Oakleigh Contracts were chosen to undertake this large-scale project, their first re-cladding project of this size, with technical input from Permavent to ensure the correct technical specifications were achieved. Genting Casinos are a large chain of popular gaming destinations with locations across the UK and America. The property owner of the Riverlights location decided to take no risks with their new cladding, in an effort to protect people and the building in the face of the recent issues with fire spreading through and behind exterior cladding. They chose to change the existing boards to non-combustible alternatives and added Safeshield XT Reflect A2-s1, d0 fire rated construction membrane to the walls under the new boards. Safeshield was chosen for it’s high fire rating, adding another layer of protection against fire behind the cladding and inside the cavity, but also for its superior thermal properties. Safeshield XT Reflect’s reflective technology allows for greater energy efficiency in the building as it reflects heat, decreasing the emissivity of the wall cavity and reducing energy loss. Oakleigh Contracts also praised Safeshield for it’s easy and intuitive installation, as well as being extremely robust both during and after installation

Meadow House is a 17 storey, block of flats situated in Coventry. The residential apartment block was built in 1967 and is the second tower block, in Coventry, to be painted using KEIM for its fire-resistant certifications.Similarly to Falkener House, located near Coventry cite centre, this project required a fire-resistant coating and must classify to A2-s1,d0, to meet current building regulations.The applicator, Elhance Limited, who are Leicester based, contacted KEIM to provide a fire-resistant paint. The painted concrete balcony surrounds, and painted brickwork were in relatively good condition. There was general dirt from the urban environment as well as moss and green growth on the surface which required cleaning before any decoration was to take place.KEIM Soldalit-ME was specified due to its A2-s1,d0 fire classification. It is a durable exterior paint that has the added benefit of breaking down organic material and contaminants, which will keep the surfaces cleaners for longer.The facades will not require decoration for another 10-15 years, if not more.A final tower block, also situated in Coventry, has been commissioned to be painted using KEIM Soldalit-ME again due to its fire resistant and durable benefits.

The ChallengeAs a multinational business and leading employer within the region, the telecommunications giant was keen to lead the way in India’s fire safety standards, equipping its employees with both a comfortable and safe working environment. At the heart of this mission was the challenge of balancing the practical everyday needs of employees with the safety standards required of modern offices. In solving that challenge, Pyroguard – together with local partners, Pacific Fire Controls – was able to play an integral role by providing fire-rated safety glass specifically for the project.The SolutionUsing Pyroguard T EW 120, a toughened safety glass from Pyroguard’s Firesafe range which is capable of delivering radiant heat, smoke and flame protection for up to 120 minutes, the ambition of creating a light-filled workspace for employees could be realised.The glazing’s light transmission characteristics meant natural light could be maximised, while its sound reduction reflected the needs of the busy office.Having been fire-tested by Efectis France and certified for use with timber frames, Pyroguard and Pacific Fire Controls were able to install modern dividing walls to create break-out spaces, facilitating meetings and collaborative working – while still keeping safety in mind.

The fire protection of critical movement joints within the main floor slabs of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham has consumed some 1,000 linear metres of FIREFLY™ TITAN Lite™ 120/60, as a well proven and widely specified passive fire protection product.

Northamptonshire based DC Fire Protection Ltd., a long-term customer of TBA FIREFLY™, has employed the manufacturer’s ZEUS Lite™ system to create a 90:30 minutes’ fire barrier within the first floor ceiling void of a commercial property in London’s Hyde Park area.

Based in the heart of Clerkenwell, Hangrohe’s newshowroom aims to create a hub of inspiration, excitementand resources for the international architect and designcommunity.Interior design company I-AM created a brandexperience, integrating moving, working water as well asmore abstract, artistic features.Working showerheads and mixers are set against thebackdrop of a 4D-mapped ‘digital waterfall’ animatedartwork, whilst window display features billowing fabricevocative of water flowing from a tap.Showcasing more than 200 products, the Water Studiostrikes a balance between inspiration and expertise. Itis a working space, a creative sanctuary and studio foreducation and collaboration.I-AM approached Allgood to provide a contrastingaddition to the showroom in the form of the Holt range.Comprising of door and bathroom accessories, Holt ismade oak and hand finished.Bespoke length pull handles were crafted for the existingglass entrance doors, continuing the interior’s warmingaesthetic. Due to their exterior use, a new externallacquer was applied, in order to shield the handles fromvarying outdoor conditions.In the bathroom area, the Holt approved documentM pack was installed, showcasing the range’s abilityto cater for the disabled, whilst contributing to thebathroom’s decor.

Due to proven technology and a proven track record, AkzoNobel was chosen to supply fire and corrosion protection coatings for the Akpo FPSO.The vessel is 310 meters in length with facilities for 240 crew members and storage for two million barrels of oil. With two processing trains for the separation of oil and water, and an average production capacity of 225,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, the Akpo FPSO is a high-value installation. The risk of catastrophic hydrocarbon fires was a significant concern during construction, as was the risk of metal corrosion in the harsh offshore conditions.With outstanding technical knowledge and a long, successful track record in the new-build FPSO market, AkzoNobel was selected as the protective coatings supplier for the project. Chosen from the market-leading Chartek range of fire protection products, Chartek 7 is a light-weight epoxy intumescent ideal for providing PFP (Passive Fire Protection) in offshore installations, due to its excellent water and chemical resistance.

“A great achievement by all involved”– Neil Turvey, UCL Estates Assistant Director Capital ProjectsOverviewUCL is one of the world’s leading universities, as well as being London’s number one university for Research Strength, where they have consistently led the way with not only their academic excellence but also their global impact.UCL PEARL (Person-Environment-Activity Research Lab) was completed in Autumn of 2021 and is a unique facility, designed to explore how people interact with their environment in a groundbreaking 4,000m² building. Sophisticated systems are used to gather a rich array of information which will help to understand these reactions and how they can be used to create a better urban environment for the future.PartnershipHAG Ltd. were tasked with protecting the building both through the supply & installation of essential fire protection systems, such as fire shutters & fire curtains and high security steel door sets throughout the building, located in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.As a UK wide company with nearly 40 years’ experience in dealing with large scale contracts of this size, we were able to assist the main contractor by ensuring reliability, professionalism, safety and ensuring that the project was completed on time.All our fire protection products are fully compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and certified to UKCA.All of HAG’s fire curtains have been independently tested and certified by the international fire testing experts at Warrington Fire, are tested to the latest standard BS EN 1634:2014 and marked to BS EN 13241-1:2003.HAG Ltd.’s steel doors offer an exceptional level of security, whilst not compromising on aesthetics. Our doors were made to the specification of UCL PEARL, to seamlessly sit in their surroundings and ensured not only security, but they are suitable for high levels of use and offer thermal insulation. The ProjectThe original UCL PEARL site consisted of various buildings, one of which was Grade II listed 1940’s. The new building is the first zero-carbon in-use building for UCL, and one it hopes will set the bar for future developments.Within the 10m high building, you will find life sized environments, such as a train station, village square, high street, even a pop-up theatre, all of which have fully controlled conditions and the ability to change materials, such as the flooring or wall cladding. UCL can adjust lighting, sounds and experiment with smells and the other senses to see the impact that these changes have on people. “A building that will be able to house the world”– Nick Tyler, Chadwick Professor of Engineering and Director of UCL Centre for Transport StudiesUp until now, assumptions have been made about how people react to environments, but this has been based on outdated data. UCL PEARL can now pave the way, with the use of sophisticated systems, such as eye trackers, brain scanners & accelerometers, to ensure a more informed suite of ground-breaking data going forward.UCL PEARL are already working in partnership with the London Underground and are researching the design of the built environment for people with dementia.Not only are there legal requirements and obligations for fire safety and protection within this building, but fire shutters & fire curtains should be regularly maintained to ensure they are suitable for intended use, they are safe to use, in good repair and subject to a program of monitoring & reviewing.This is another reason that HAG Ltd. were chosen to assist with this unique facility, as we can offer a full & comprehensive maintenance & repair service, to ensure that their fire shutters & curtains continue to work efficiently and with ease.

Sherwood Lodge – a new £18.5m joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham Fire & Rescue Service. Scheduled to open by the end 2021. Aspex products were selected by YMD Boon working with Gleeds for Nottinghamshire Police, Fire & Rescue.Products supplied: Ironmongery, Integra Doorsets and Novista Riser Timber Doorsets

Working with the project architects, our technical team helped to develop the door specification for this state of the art 86,000sqm medical research facility. Dortek designed and installed more than 500 bespoke hygienic door and automation solutions throughout the facility. This included non fire rated and fire rated single action and sliding doors and hermetically sealing sliding doors. Our doors were essential for providing protection across hazardous fire areas. Our void free doors are hygienic, easy to clean, non absorbent and do not harbour bacteria. This makes them ideally suited to research laboratories which are sensitive to contamination.

As part of a recent major re-development of London’s 40 year old National Army Museum there were a number of fire safety requirements to be considered. Large areas of glass characterise this modern building, enhancing the high ceilings and spacious exhibition rooms requiring correspondingly large internal fire doors. Moralt’s Laminesse FireSmoke 54mm door cores offered the architect the ability to achieve the requirement of high and wide double doors fire rated to 60 minutes. Officially re-opened in March 2017 by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip, it has been transformed into five bright thematic galleries.

Darling Associates and McLaren Group approached Planet Partitioning to undertake the internal atrium glazing and fire-rated glass doors for their fit-out of Ampersand, London. Planet was specified to design, manufacture and install all the glass partitioning for an internal atrium, balustrades and fire-rated and non–fire rated lift lobby doors. For the atrium, Planet Partitioning used full-height frameless 15.5mm low-iron toughened laminated glass. This highly curved atrium needed glass rising from the door plate to create a fluid feel, complementing the central spiral staircase. Planet then installed steel framework to support the atrium glazing.

Magazine B is a series of Grade II listed brick sheds inRochester, Kent. Its unusual name stems from the fact it wasoriginally used as a Victorian military installation – ‘magazines’were buildings constructed to store gunpowder andammunition.Long left derelict, the site was acquired to convert into aseries of offices – and Southern and County Roofing wereengaged to fit replacement slate.

The distinctive, semi-elliptical shape of the new 90m high glass and steel office building at 70 St Mary Axe in London required proven passive fire protection and acoustic solutions that could fit with the unique curved frame. Leading manufacturer of fire, acoustic and thermal insulation products, Siderise, met the challenge.

Products used: CW-FS | Perimeter Barriers and Firestops for Curtain WallingWhen it came to providing a proven range of fire protection solutions for a revitalised building in London highlighted by a sweeping and technically ambitious curved façade, Siderise was able to meet the challenge with its CW-FS curtain wall fire stop system.

The ChallengeA former industrial area along the south bank of the Union Canal in Merchiston, Edinburgh required transformation with the expected outcome of becoming one of the places to live in the city centre. A housing development was to provide a stylish addition to the already thriving growing community.The development consists of 11 stylish, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The apartments feature high quality engineered flooring, bespoke kitchens, designer bathrooms and fitted wardrobes, and each has a terrace or balcony enjoying open views over the canal.It was important that the building materials used were sympathetic to the local sandstone buildings.The SolutionThe original intention had been to use extruded bricks for the project, however, it was decided instead to use Forterra’s buff, stock thrown, Belgravia Gault Blend from its Ecostock range. A total of 55,000 bricks were used in the construction of Horne Terrace.The BenefitsBelgravia Gault Blend complemented beautifully the sandstone aesthetic of the buildings in the locality, while at the same time delivering great technical specification of low water absorption and low embodied carbon.

Pavillion Point is a Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development on London Road in the centre of Brighton in East Sussex, close to the University of Brighton's main campus. Managed by student accommodation specialist Fresh, the building provides 232 student rooms, dedicated social and study areas, a gym, cafe, multimedia space and landscaped courtyard as well as retail units on the ground floor. The five storey development, designed by Corstorphine & Wright, targeted BREEAM Excellent standards as well as high levels of acoustic performance.In addition to the TECHNAL windows, curtain walling, doors and sliding systems chosen, the external facade features a clay brick slip system for the ground to third floors with a grey rainscreen cladding on the set-back fourth floor. The use of TECHNAL's aluminum systems contributed to creating an A1 rated non-combustible facade, a client requirement given the increased focus on fire safety.To ensure high levels of natural light in the student room, the design features large floor to ceiling windows. The aluminium tilt before turn windows were installed above a fixed glazing panel to create this feature. The TBT windows were selected as the inward tilt opening provides suitable ventilation whilst ensure the safety of the residents. The aim of achieving BREEAM Excellent certification as well as the building’s location on a busy road meant that the door, window and curtain walling systems had to also meet a number of specific performance requirements, not least a high level of acoustic performance. This was a challenge due to the size of some of the panels included in the design. TECHNAL system allowed a 41dB sound reduction to be achieved while optimising the weight of the glazed units.

THE LOCATIONThis brand-new student accommodation development is situated in the River Street neighbourhood of Manchester. The striking appearance of the development is down to the architectural design and materials used including the Cor-Ten steel alloy cladding which pairs perfectly with the dark blue painted panels.THE PROJECTThe development comprises 792 student bed spaces including a mix of studios and apartments and offers affordable, stylish, and accessible accommodation in the heart of Manchester whilst being a safe environment for students to learn, grow and live.THE PRODUCTSafety Letterbox discussed the design, layout and fire specifications of the project. After a few options were presented the client chose our FR2 mailbox. The FR2 mailbox is horizontal in front/ out front 2-hour fire-rated (integrity only) mailbox.Our 2-hour fire-rated mailbox range is commonly used within an evacuation route as they are capable of holding backfire or containing a fire for at least 2 hours, satisfying building and fire regulations.The mailboxes we’re powder coated in special colour – MATT Pearl Gold (RAL 1036) giving the mailboxes a stunning high-end aesthetic finish whilst being practical and completely secure. Multiple keys were also supplied, and doors were engraved for easy identification

Location: Southampton City Centre, HampshireProject Type: HousingProduct: Meridian Wall CopingsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7016 Matt Anthracite Grey: Marine SpecificationFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Main Contractor: Bouygues UK

Vetrotech supplied their very own Pyroswiss fire-resistant glass, which resists fire for up to 30 minutes, thus building a physical barrier against flames, hot smoke and toxic gases. The glasses were supplied in various colors, which bring a warm and creative touch to the facility while marking the different departments within the hospital.

As part of a three-year programme by Birmingham City Council to install fire sprinklers in 10,000 flats across 213 tower blocks, Pendock MXF sprinkler boxing is being used to conceal surface mounted pipework.Manufactured from pre-formed plywood and incorporating a white finish, MXF fire sprinkler boxing was specified, rather than on-site fabrication to provide a consistent and uniform finish while minimising the visual impact of the new fire safety measures in each tenant’s home.Also, it doesn’t require painting and typically takes less time to fit than site made alternatives, which helps reduce labour costs and minimises tenant disruption.

The new complex of the elite boarding school “Le Rosey” in Rolle, Switzerland, houses a range of first-class facilities. Over 470 m2 of fire-resistant glass - Contraflam 30 - has been installed, including partitions, fire doors, staircases and meeting rooms. This solution - with glass sizes up to 1,800 x 3,800mm - offers supremely reliable fire resistance, 100% UV stability and, long lasting maximum transparency, keeping rooms and facades bright. Vetrotech provides large custom-made glass solutions that stand up to the demands of such iconic projects, offering uncompromised safety whilst enabling boundless design freedom for architects and constructors.

A fault-tolerant network of MxPro 5 intelligent fire panels from Advanced was chosen to protect the 3Ts Redevelopment programme at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.A total of 36 4-loop MxPro 5 panels, 46 repeater panels and two custom-built AdSpecials panels from Advanced were installed as part of 3Ts, a construction programme to modernise the front half of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Phase one involved the construction of a 13-storey building with two basement levels. Incorporating all the functions of a modern hospital. The building includes a three-storey atrium reception, outpatient departments, operating theatres, wards, a teaching facility and administration facilities.The fire system was installed by the team at Essex-based EA-RS Fire Engineering Ltd, who installed Advanced’s industry-leading MxPro 5 fire panels alongside bespoke sprinkler indication and ventilation override panels, all linked to approximately 5,000 Hochiki devices.

Project type: EducationLocation: Wimbledon High School, London, SW19 4ABProject Cost: £21mProduct: Rainscreen with ExtrusionsFinish (Extrusions): Syntha Pulvin RAL 7047 Matt Telegrau 4Finish (Panel): Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyProduct: Fascia Soffit to Eaves, Verge & RIdgeFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyProduct: Vertical Feature FinsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyProduct: Copings & Rainwater PipesFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7021 Matt Black GreyFire Rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Product: Monocoque Support System (Galv)Fire Rating: A1 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Neilcott Construction LTDArchitect: IID ArchitectsContractor: Neilcott Construction LTDPhotography: IID Architects & John Nason

The ChallengeA residential development exclusively for the over 55’s, Quantock House in Taunton, Somerset features a series of contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments set over the eight-storey building. The latest development from Platinum Skies, part of the Affordable Housing and Healthcare Group (AHH), Quantock House includes a bistro, bar, activity room and private, landscaped gardens. Designed with comfort and luxury in mind, each apartment features a modern glass balcony offering stunning views over the surrounding hills.Appointed by AHH, AMI was tasked with developing a fire-rated glass balustrade solution. Working closely with Pyroguard’s technical team, this collaboration resulted in the development of AMI’s Fire-Tek Balustrade system, featuring Pyroguard Balustrade fire safety glass. The system, fully backed by site specific structural calculations, is compliant with all the latest building regulation requirements for residential buildings over 18 metres tall (11 metres in Scotland).The SolutionDesigned specifically for balcony and balustrade applications and suitable for installation on buildings over 18-metres high (the first of its kind and patent pending), Pyroguard Balustrade is a toughened fire safety glass, manufactured to classification A2-s1. In addition to its fire reaction qualities, Pyroguard Balustrade also offers excellent light transmission and is certified to the 1B1 impact resistance rating (according to EN12600) – both key factors for the application.Quantock House is one of the first UK projects to have an NHBC accepted A2-s1 glass balustrade system installed on its apartment balconies – the result of a close working partnership between fire safety glass manufacturer Pyroguard and Architectural Metalwork Installations Limited (AMI), the architectural metalwork specialist.