"fire protection"

With fire doors under close scrutiny in the aftermath of Grenfell, the public’s trust in their ability to protect lives and assets urgently needs to be restored. Rebuilding confidence in fire rated doorsets needs a focus on every element of its construction, with one of the most critical elements being the intumescent seal. Intumescent seals have now been used in fire rated doorsets for four decades. They help to stop the spread of fire and smoke, with the most common types in the UK being manufactured from compounds of sodium silicate or intercalated graphite.

Barry Fire Station / Altro case study

Coopers installed FireMaster fire curtains with smoke control over the lift door openings on each of the ground and upper seven floors and two on the basement so a total of forty eight curtains. An important part of the design of the building on the ground and first floor was to subtly integrate the fire curtain headbox and side guides into the lift opening.

Lindner SE | Partitions and Lindner SE | Interior Fit-Out and Furnishings were largely responsible for the detailed interior design with lots of glass, silver fir, brass, exposed concrete and a colour concept with 32 colours. Lindner developed a new glass partition wall in which the glass walls could be installed frameless thanks to grooves in the floor and ceiling. In order to fulfil all fire protection requirements in the various rooms, the doors and glass wall systems were designed in F0, F30 and F90 as required. Another special architectural detail: the wooden door leaves were integrated seamlessly into the glass walls without an additional frame. Silver fir or brass was chosen as the surface finish.These materials can also be found in the wall panelling and built-in furniture, which were manufactured by Lindner Objektdesign in its own factory. Other special solutions included an elliptical counter made of brass, curved lawns made of artificial turf, designer furniture in the group/ work areas as well as ultra-modern teaching kitchens and special teaching desks in the classrooms. Completed WorksPartitionsPartition Systems GlassLindner Life FireWall and ceiling panels

Project overviewJohnson Controls has upgraded the fire detection cover at Victoria Junior School from an analogue to digital addressable system with its advanced MZX Technology® solution. This advanced digital system provides smoke and heat detectors and sounder and sounder/beacon detector bases. Product and services applications MZX Technology® SystemTriple Technology Detection DevicesCustomer needsThe design is applicable to the risk from both a fire detection and false alarm management approach and includes both audible and visual alarms to comply with the Equalities Act 2010. This all ensures that the school buildings in Feltham, Middlesex benefit from a reliable and efficient system with increased safety for all occupants, particularly the children. With around 300 pupils and 44 different languages spoken, Victoria Junior is an ethnically rich, medium-sized, mixed gender school. Situated in the town of Feltham in the London Borough of Hounslow, the school’s buildings are single-storey, and date from the 1980s.A risk assessment was recently carried out at the school and the previous fire protection system (not supplied by Johnson Controls), was found to be inadequate. Johnson Controls had been invited, along with two other companies, to present the most appropriate fire detection and protection proposal for the school. Victoria Junior School awarded the contract to Johnson Controls as its MZX addressable fire alarm offered the best value solution. Johnson Controls solutionVictoria Junior School specified Johnson Controls fire alarm system for its excellent technical backup and support and for its working knowledge of the systems available. The new Johnson Controls control panels employ software with an open structure which allow the system owner service choices. The control panel selected for this project is part of the latest digital-based MZX Technology® system family and offers greater functionality and advanced capacity in the number of field devices available on each loop, from 100 to 250, which makes for a more efficient and cost effective technology. Triple technology detection devices (which detect smoke, heat and carbon monoxide gas (CO) from one device) were installed at key risk points, to provide a level of reassurance needed in a school where children’s safety is paramount.The MZX field detectors typically have a minimum service life of 20 years before needing to be changed, twice the industry average, which offers a superb cost of ownership footprint. 

A significant redevelopment project at a specialist mental health hospital in Nottinghamshire is nearing a successful completion, with two of FIREFLY’s versatile and fully certified systems being employed by one of the manufacturer’s approved contractors installing the lightweight, but high performing fire barriers, to protect the ceiling spaces. The work at the Millbrook Mental Health Unit in the Sutton area of Mansfield is being carried out by Tilbury Douglas on behalf of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and includes the construction of a new dementia ward as well as the refurbishment of two existing wards.  The new facility will create a low-stimulus environment containing 18 single bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, while the refurbished building is being upgraded to meet current NHS guidelines, as well as to achieve compliance with the latest requirements of Approved Document B and the Building Safety Act.   Coventry based KRASI Fire Protection Limited – a specialist sub-contractor well experienced in hospital upgrades, including other projects across the East Midlands – was awarded its package under competitive tender and had up to 10 of its highly trained operatives on site during the four-month contract.  The company’s Contract Manager, Daniel Oldacre, commented: “When we were approached to install all of the fire barriers within the building at the Millbrook Hospital, we put forward the APOLLO LiteTM 30:30 and TITAN Lite™120:60 as being appropriate to the periods of protection being sought by the project team, including Tilbury Douglas’s fire consultant.  They were really the only products which would have worked in this situation. We have come to rely on FIREFLY® systems in recent years since we moved away from mineral wool solutions.  They ensure high performance with good technical back-up when required and, crucially, they carry the best testing.”  “In this instance, FIREFLY’s regional manager, Dave Allen attended the site to advise on some special details – provided as sketches backed up by email confirmation with photographs.  The TITAN Lite™120:60 provides 120 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation, while the APOLLO LiteTM 30:30 offers 30 minutes in each respect.  There were no horizontal barriers required on this job.” While Krasi carries out its own IFC certification work, FIREFLY’s technical consultants continued to visit the project at intervals to confirm that all of the work was being carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions: with the special staples and fire rated adhesive being used to attach the barrier materials to sub-frames of steel angles reaching down on top of the individual partition walls creating compliant compartmentation.  Krasi’s completed contract saw a total of 700 square metres of Titan Lite and Apollo Lite barriers installed throughout the refurbished ward building. Manufactured from woven and non-woven glass, the FIREFLY® range is designed to optimise resistance to flame and smoke as well as offer heat protection in a wide range of scenarios.  The barriers are easy to install horizontally or vertically using a full selection of FIREFLY® ancillary products to ensure a fully tested and certified installed system.The lightweight and flexible FIREFLY® Penowrap has been developed to compliment other FIREFLY® fire barrier systems and can be used to fully protect structural members as much as 300mm below the main barrier, offering additional protection.  It provides 60 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation when used to wrap around exposed sections of timber or steel during the construction or upgrade of a building.Tested to BS 476 Parts 20 & 22, FIREFLY® Penowrap is manufactured utilising a layer of non-woven silica with aluminium foil on the outward facing surface.  The product, which is non-toxic as well as easy to cut and shape, has additionally received a Pass for Parts 6 & 7 (propagation and surface spread of flame).  The 300mm wide fire wrap is supplied in 10 linear metre long rolls, and is just 12mm thick.  Furthermore, it only weighs 2.02kg/m2 so it is light to handle on site.  FIREFLY® Penowrap is installed using standard fixings and is fully compatible with the angles and high temperature adhesives to be found within the approved FIREFLY® range.  

The interior fit-out of the POST Headquarters is the largest contract to date for the Lindner Group in Luxembourg.Lindner installed the FLOOR and more®, FLOOR and more® comfort and NORTEC hollow and raised floor systems with modern carpeting. The glass partitions Lindner Life Freeze 137, Lindner Life Pure 620 and Lindner Life Stereo 125 as fire protection glazing in EI60 provide an elegant separation of the offices. The wooden partition wall Lindner Logic Timber with long-lasting varnish, on the other hand, acts as an antagonist to the transparent glass elements.Perfectly matched to the partition walls, the associated doors were also made of wood or glass.Completed WorksPartitionsPartition Systems GlassLindner Life Freeze 137Lindner Life Pure 620Partition Systems Full PanelLindner Logic 100 TimberCalcium sulphate panelsFLOOR and moreFLOOR and more comfortNORTEC

DRU has installed 89 gas fires into Ebury Square, a development of luxury 1-4 bedroom apartments and 5 bedroom penthouses by Berkeley Homes in Belgravia, London. The fires were selected for their contemporary design, easy installation and high energy efficiency. They consist of single-sided and double-sided tunnel models. Berkeley Homes selected DRU because of their unique PowerVent® flue system. Due to the configuration of the apartments, the flues had to be extended up to 64 metres throughout the service ducts in the complex, with most of the fires having external PowerVent® terminals on the roof.

One of FIREFLY’s regular customers is currently making use of Titan Lite™ 120:60 fire barriers to create compartmentations to protect multiple zones within a huge new Amazon Data Centre at Hemel Hempstead, where the possible degree of structural movement predicted for the building prevented the manufacturer’s competitors from offering a viable solution. Amersham based GSI Contract Services Ltd. is approximately halfway through a year-long specialist sub-contract for TSL, installing the high-performance Titan Lite™ 120:60 along all of the floor and roof junctions to the internal partitions, providing both integrity and insulation while accommodating relative movement of +/- 200mm.  FIREFLY’s area Technical Sales Manager, Andy Greenwood, was closely involved in offering advice on the specification and supplying project specific installation details.  Site training of GSI’s operatives has also been delivered. The Site Manager for GSI Contract Services, Stan Tsenkov, commented: “We carry out specialist fire protection work in healthcare, commercial, schools, residential and other premises – including airports – from the South-east as far up country as Birmingham and have been making use of FIREFLY’s Titan Lite™ product on multiple projects over the past two years – particularly protecting roof spaces in blocks of flats for Kier.” “For this project, our FIREFLY® consultant was involved in pre-contract meetings before recommending the Titan Lite™ as being ideal to offer the periods of integrity and insulation required, as well as being able to cope with the unusually high levels of movement which could occur, when other suppliers in the country said they could not help.  We have already had up to 15 operatives on site for eight months and are due to complete this summer.  One team of eight, who have all received training from FIREFLY®, are using flat metal straps to fit the Titan Lite™ material along the sides of junctions, while we have also purchased a dozen of the heavy duty B16 staple guns via the company.  Over all the work has gone very well.”Commenting on the degree of movement accommodated at the data centre, FIREFLY’s Andy Greenwood commented: “This is a very high specification building and the +/- 200mm movement included in the design of the Titan Lite™ fire barrier would accommodate earth tremors as well as any thermal movement in the structure and if any significant movement does occur, the material will simply concertina back down again.” FIREFLY® Titan Lite™ 120:60 has been developed as a flexible fire barrier to provide compartmentation of larger concealed spaces within different types of buildings including factories, warehouses, healthcare facilities and even railway stations. By offering 120 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation, Titan Lite™ 120:60 exceeds the minimum requirements relating to Fire Barriers as detailed in the UK Building Regulations: Approved Document B (Fire Safety). FIREFLY ‘s barrier products are manufactured using specially treated woven glass fibre fabrics. Specifiers and specialist fire contractors wishing to find more information about the full range of products available from FIREFLY®can visit www.tbafirefly.com

The Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour, and the guardian of a unique collection of over 8,500 objects displayed across five themed galleries at its Leeds museum, some of which have transformed the world as we know it.As well as the museum and exhibition spaces, the Royal Armouries also provides conference and theatre facilities to hire for public, theatrical or corporate events.One such facility, the Bury Theatre, with an audience capacity of 100, was receiving damage to the lobby and entrance doors from the footfall of people, being further exacerbated with the movement of technical and performance equipment.Stephen Cohen, Building Contract Manager at the Royal Armouries, took time to explain:“We strive to offer a high-quality visitor experience throughout our organisation and after the floods that affected some of the building in 2015, the Bury Theatre had undergone a minor refurbishment.“As part of the project we decided to improve the look of the fire doors in the theatre lobby and auditorium area which had suffered some marking and damage. As an organisation that receives funding, sponsorship and public donations it is important we invest stakeholder’s money wisely and so we were looking for a product that would also damage-proof the doors for the future, eliminating the need for further repair and replacement costs.”Yeoman Shield were able to provide such a product in the form of their fire rated door protection systems which were installed by their own directly employed operatives.Full height, 2.0mm thick FalmouthEx door protection panels were fitted to the outer doors in graphite grey. Door edge protectors were added to the clashing and hinged edges to protect these vulnerable parts from damage that could impede the functioning of the door in the event of a fire.The theatre’s internal doors also received full height protection panels and door edges, this time in black to suit the requirements of the auditorium.All Yeoman Shield’s door protection products are fire rated and have been tested to the current standard required.“We are very pleased with the outcome of the Yeoman Shield door protection installed. Having received favourable feedback from members of the team we hope to roll out the product to other areas of the building in due course”. commented Mr Cohen.For more information on Yeoman Shield’s wall & door protection products go to www.yeomanshield.com or call 0113 279 5854.

Winner of the MIPM 2010 award for Hotels and Tourism, which is presented for outstanding real state projects worldwide, the Kameha Grand was designed by architect Karl-Heinz Schommer Bonner. The unique elliptical section design did however make serious demands on the requirement for protection against thermal bridging. The architect discussed the issue with Schöck, the European specialists in thermal bridging solutions and it was agreed that a combination of three product variants would meet the requirement.The outer concrete arches on the roof and facade of the building cantilever 1.30 m on each side and this, combined with the subtle design of the facade, meant that it was not possible to use a standard thermal break solution. To minimise any thermal bridging problems along the two outer arcs an inventive solution had to be found by the Schöck design team. This was achieved by dividing the projecting element of the framework into a number of sections and using the appropriate Isokorb® T for the required forces. At the ground floor Isokorb® T type Q is used, with T type D being installed higher up the structure, followed by T type K on the top floor. Because of the arch profile, the Isokorb® T type D was cut and installed at 90 degrees and run under the curved edge of the roof emergency exits, providing F90 fire protection.

Fire-rated mailboxes and fire-rated parcel lockers integrated in the same unit. Recessed into the wall.

Our range of products meant all of the fire curtain requirements were met and the fire regulations could be adhered to keep the occupants of the building safe. Coopers FireMaster Concertina is a great way to offer compartmentation between floors and was installed because there were no columns at the atrium to install side guides and there is no smoke extraction system on the atrium so functional gaps were not allowed.

Architect Tamas Deilinger and his wife chose a DRU Maestro 75 contemporary gas fire to be the main focal point in the living room of their classic town house It was installed by London fireplace specialists Acquisitions. They adapted the existing chimney, creating a larger opening for the fire and inserting the balanced flue all the way up to the roof. The Maestro 75 has the exclusive DRU Dynamic log burner, which generates high, dense, realistic flames underpinned by a comforting glow. The flame picture can be controlled with a smartphone or tablet using the unique DRU Eco Wave app.

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

Lorient supplied LAS8001 si drop seals with bespoke 'Battersea bronze' end caps, Batwing® perimeter seals, Finesse™ acoustic, smoke and fire seals, and lock and latch protection kits to the residential project.

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.

Five new towers at the University of Brighton’s Moulsecoomb Campus are now protected by a fault-tolerant network of MxPro 5 fire panels from Advanced.The 13 networked MxPro 5 panels have been installed to protect the five student accommodation towers varying between eight and 18 storeys, which will provide more than 800 student bedrooms as well as ground-floor fitness facilities and amenities for the students’ union. Responsible for the fire system design, supply and commissioning were West Sussex-based Southern Fire Alarms (SFA) Ltd, who installed the equipment alongside mechanical and electrical engineers J&B Hopkins.The fire system is integrated with multiple third-party interfaces, including automatic opening vents (AOVs), sprinklers and access control. Careful consideration was given to the complex cause and effect programming that needed to be applied across the site. Each building is configured with a six-minute investigation period, with sounders on the floor of origin initiated after a single device activation. A single subsequent device activation will escalate into full evacuation of the specific tower. A master key switch has also been introduced, to allow for full evacuation of all towers if required.

Anyone can say they offer a ‘heavy duty’ loft ladder, but what does it really mean? Premier Loft Ladders explain what you need to know. Premier Loft Ladders have been supplying high-performance retractable ladders for 20 years to a wide range of projects throughout the UK and overseas. They have established themselves as experts in this field and provide architects and designers with help choosing the right ladder for even the most challenging applications.When specifying a heavy duty loft ladder, Premier Loft Ladders always recommend the following:-      Check the ladder conforms to BS EN 14975-      Aim for a load rating of at least 200 kg per tread-      Ensure that there is a good warranty with the ladder-      Prioritise loft ladders featuring large treads and a handrailDepending on the project, fire-protection, security and operation from above may also be essential requirements.For more information about specifying heavy duty loft ladders please read the full guide.

The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Natural History Museum's main frontage, however, is on Cromwell Road. The Natural History Museum in London stands as a revered institution, renowned for its priceless collections and historical significance. Ensuring the protection of both its artifacts and the safety of its visitors is of paramount importance. This case study highlights the successful collaboration between the Natural History Museum project and Rapid Access Ltd, a trusted supplier of Riser Doors equipped with Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and advanced 3-Way Locking Systems, bolstering fire safety and security.Challenges:1. Fire Safety and Security: Preserving the museum's invaluable collections and ensuring the safety of its visitors demanded robust fire safety measures and enhanced security.2. Architectural Sensitivity: The project necessitated access solutions that respected the museum's architectural and historical significance, ensuring minimal disruption to its aesthetics.3. Advanced Locking Systems: The museum sought advanced security measures to protect against unauthorized access and potential threats.Solution:Rapid Access Ltd, known for their expertise in access solutions, was selected to address the specific requirements of the Natural History Museum project. The solution included the installation of Riser Doors featuring Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and advanced 3-Way Locking Systems, designed to meet the following key criteria:1. Riser Doors: Rapid Access Ltd provided riser doors that seamlessly integrated with the museum's architecture while offering secure access to utility areas.2. Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs: Prominent signage was installed to ensure that fire doors remained locked shut when not in use, promoting fire safety awareness within the museum.3. 3-Way Locking Systems: Advanced locking systems were incorporated to provide an extra layer of security, protecting against unauthorized access and potential security threats.Implementation:The installation of Riser Doors with Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and 3-Way Locking Systems by Rapid Access Ltd was carried out meticulously, ensuring that the security measures were seamlessly integrated into the museum's architectural framework.Conclusion:The collaboration between the Natural History Museum project and Rapid Access Ltd exemplified the successful integration of fire safety and security measures into a historically significant and culturally important institution. The installation of Riser Doors with Fire Door Keep Lock Shut Signs and 3-Way Locking Systems not only met the museum's fire safety and security needs but also preserved its architectural integrity. This case study underscores the importance of selecting the right access solutions provider for projects that require a sensitive and integrated approach to safety and security in a historical setting.

This is what new lobbies will look like in Smart Buildings. Installed this week in the famous Lewisham Exchange in London:✔ Fire rated mailboxes✔ Fire rated electronic parcel boxes✔ Fire rated electronic control unitResidents will benefit from a secure way to receive both mail and parcels, while property management will have full control via our cloud based management platform.

Zaun was contracted to supply high security and anti-protestor fencing for leading fracking companies to protect their sites from trespass or intrusion by protesters.This case study investigates the fundamental role of temporary high-security fencing in protecting sites from protesters.Why was it important to protect the site?Fracking is a subject that often dominates the news and can generate heightened emotions. In addition, fracking regularly attracts protesters, resulting in the crucial necessity for site protection, such as high-security fencing.Protesters could pose a significant danger to the site's running and risk their own health if they could get onto the site.What Fencing Was Selected?Zaun installed two types of high-security temporary fencing systems to protect the site. One of these fencing systems was MultiFence temporary security fencing. Multifence is durable and mobile. In addition, concrete blocks are utilised for mounting the fencing, which can be a viable space-saving option and extremely secure and robust.The second temporary security fencing used at the fracking site was RDS Original, Zaun’s Rapid Deploy Fencing system. Why Were They Selected?Zaun’s Multifence system and RDS system are high-security solutions to temporary fencing needs. Both robust, strong and durable, they have extensive intrinsic security features that deliver the highest level of protection.Both systems have been mob tested, which means they can withstand considerable force from crowds. Thus, they are ideally suited for this purpose. Due to a lack of footholds, protesters cannot climb or scale the fence. This offers dual protection because not only does it prevent protesters from intruding onto the site, but it also significantly reduces the risk of injury to the protesters too.The Multifence and RDS systems have the potential for hostile vehicle mitigation security upgrades to the fencing if necessary. This can be crucial if there is the possibility of hostile vehicles attacking the site.As no ground penetration is necessary for installing either the Multifence or RDS, this protects the environment around the site’s perimeter. It also maintains the integrity of the site ground. They are also easily movable and redeployed over multiple sites.

London Fire Brigade chose Jewers Doors to design and manufacture 46 setsof fast acting exit doors for emergency vehicle bays at nine new Fires Stationsas part of a £51 million refurbishment program.

Elmau Castle, June 2015: The heads of state of the seven major economic nations are meeting for the G7-summit at the foot of the Alpes. The mountain panorama and the prestigious hotel dominates the world press front pages and TV news for two days. A large staff of security personnel transforms the hotel into a high-security zone for these two days. In the background, Teckentrup fire and smoke doors ensure that protection from the spread of fire is in place at the hotel which opened in the spring.

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.

Gradus has supplied and installed a range of wall protectionsolutions at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre, helping to create an engaging, child-friendly atmosphere while making the building interior more hygienic, easier to clean and cheaper to maintain.The Gradus products installed include SureProtect Design wall cladding, finished with a bespoke printed design that shows a cartoon solar system to give the corridors a different feel to the wider hospital environment. The bespoke design is printed onto the back of a clear textured sheet meaning the cladding is easy to clean and features a textured surface to conceal the effects of impact and abrasion.Elsewhere in the hospital, Gradus installed its SureProtect Endure protective wall cladding, a durable layer of wall protection that is through-coloured and textured so surface damage does not show.Standard corner guards have also been installed, offering acost-effective solution to protect vulnerable corners, as well as door frame protectors also made from SureProtect Endure. All have been carefully positioned to provide maximum protection against the constant stream of pedestrian and wheeled traffic that hospitals experience.Gradus provided Leicester Royal Infirmary with its supply and fit service, which sees the dedicated Gradus Contracts Team take the project from initial survey to design, manufacture and through to installation.

Coopers Fire proudly installed multiple fire and smoke curtains in this iconic building in London.Coopers Fire was approached in 2013 to support multiple Architects and Fire Engineers to work through the difficult interface designs on the historic Battersea building that posed multiple challenges in incorporating smoke and fire strategies whilst maintaining the legacy build design.This was a great opportunity to once again put forward the innovative solutions that have attracted Architects to Coopers Fire on many occasions previously.These challenges followed with the introduction of bespoke curtain systems stretching the designs beyond the norm. There was also a need to carry out support testing to validate their capability and to offer comfort to the stakeholders.Coopers Fire offered continual support to the key stakeholders including the Architect and Fire Engineer community, giving them confidence in ongoing collaboration with Coopers Fire for future projects.The Coopers Fire product design and interfacing, complete with valid specifications, went a long way to assist a Contractors partnership decision in supplying and installing the finished product whilst enabling live design changes with the aligned Architect engaged on the project.The project required FireMaster® Concertina curtains 25m width and 12m in height of straight sections, with an integrity rating of 30 minutes.The Coopers Fire Concertina product portfolio allowed for 12m width and 8m height of straight length sections so the product needed re-designing and bespoke engineering to suit the requirements of the project.A specimen of the engineered solution was tested at an accredited fire testing lab. The specimen achieved 66 minutes integrity rating, without failure.The combined engineering design, testing and fire test data allowed Coopers Fire to meet the requirements of supplying a 25m wide and 12m high FireMaster® Open Concertina fire curtain.One major challenge of the large Concertina products was installation. The 12m drop Concertina fire curtains were installed successfully on site using a combination of scaffolding and mobile platforms and at some points with minimal headspace to work within.The Concertinas were so long that onsite redesign and engineering were required to ensure the bottom tray engaged perfectly with the headbox.The Concertina retaining guides were also so long they required onsite welding. A further four levels below the curtain drop, meant that total installation height was higher than 12 metres from the ground spanning over the voids either side of the bridge below.The Coopers Fire production and installation teams collaborated to manufacture the individual parts of the Concertina fabric off site to ensure the programme of installation was kept on time.Coopers Fire installed:47 x Vertical fire curtains7 x Concertina curtains32 x Vertical smoke curtainsThe team used for the Concertina installation specialise in this product and were able to overcome onsite challenges to ensure the huge Concertina fire curtains operated as expected and deployed effectively.

Kendrick Homes has selected DRU gas fires for ‘The Ridings’, a development of nine executive properties in the commuter village of Balsall Common, near Coventry. DRU Metro 100XT frameless gas fires are situated in six of the properties, with the other three having DRU Global 70XT models in fire surrounds. Both fires are balanced flue models, which do not require a chimney and are installed into a false chimneybreast. The fires have heat outputs of 7 kW, enough for a large living room. They feature realistic log fire displays and are operated by remote control.

Emaar Address Residences Skyview Terraces is a striking hotel, residence and serviced apartment twin-tower complex offering 360-degree vistas of Downtown Dubai.Lorient supplied its intumescent protection kits, fire seals and LAS4001 threshold plates.

Refurbished and remodelled in 2021 to become the headquarters for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Edinburgh, was the McDonald Road Fire Station. We were pleased to work with Robertson Construction, Smith Scott Mullan Associates and HSR Building Services to supply Argeton terracotta and Corium brick cladding to complete the project.

An intelligent Advanced Go panel has been installed in The Steading, the home of sculptor and furniture maker, Tim Stead MBE.The Steading is an A-Listed building, located in Blainslie near Lauder in the Scottish Borders, and was both the creative centre and home to the Stead family across several decades. It was purchased by the Tim Stead Trust in 2021 and a programme of restoration work has included the addition of an Advanced Go new-generation, single-loop fire alarm control panel to protect this historic home.The Steading is considered Tim’s masterpiece with an interior that was transformed over many years. The interior is completely clad in sculpted wood: floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, cupboards, beds, a grandfather clock, sink, conservatory, hanging sculptures, desks and so on – all made by Stead himself. This exceptional building now aims to become a hub for practical expertise in everything to do with wood and the environment, hosting a variety of day and residential courses in the unique environment of The Steading.Fire and security service providers, Safe Services, installed the Advanced Go fire alarm panel in The Steading and were involved from the design stage though to installation and commissioning. The Advanced Go panel is integrated with EMS Firecell radio equipment for a complete cable-free fire system – which was an essential requirement to preserve and protect the unique interior of the building.

Television Centre in Shepherds Bush, West London, is the iconic former BBC HQ that was opened in 1960. Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and developers Stanhope have now created a multi-media environment that includes apartments, offices, studios, hotels, restaurants and retail, all based around the famous crescents that defined the original complex. DRU Metro 100XT/2 designer gas fires were specified for a selection of the apartments and were installed by DRU dealers Victoria Stone of Tunbridge Wells. They utilise the exclusive DRU PowerVent system, which enables the fires to be installed in apartment complexes and other challenging locations.

WJL Contracts have been providing high-quality, bespoke joinery solutions to some of the largest contractors in UK construction for over forty years. Known for their expertise and design flair, their fire-rated doorsets and panels have been installed in prestigious building projects spanning the education, entertainment, and commercial sectors. They also offer a full installation service which ensures that their fire-rated and acoustic products are installed competently, setting them apart from a lot of other joinery manufacturers. One of these projects was for Crawley Town Hall in West Sussex on behalf of Kier construction. They successfully delivered bespoke joinery and acoustic panelling doors, an elliptical ceiling, a feature wall, mirrors and kitchenettes. The team overcame significant challenges to hit the deadline including managing the installation of 2700 large 2.7m doors.Fire and Acoustic Seals Fire Door FoamTM and Intumescent Acrylic Sealant were used to install all fire-rated doorsets to guarantee their compliance. Joel Mayer, Buyer & Commercial Manager at WJL comments“We’ve been using Fire and Acoustic Seals’ own-label Fire Door FoamTM and Intumescent Acrylic Sealant on our large construction projects for many years. Our team particularly like the Fire Door FoamTM because they think the quality is excellent compared to others on the market, it’s quick and easy to install and it’s backed up by specific fire door test evidence.We also love the service we get from the team at Fire and Acoustic Seals which is why we’ve continued to work with them for over a decade. They’re incredibly reliable and have a fast turnaround service which ensures our onsite team are never without the products they need when they need them. This is really important to us as we are constantly working to tight deadlines.” For more details about this and other WJL projects visit https://wjlcontracts.co.uk/portfolioContact our team for more information about Fire Door FoamTM and Intumescent Acrylic Sealant.0121 521 2179 | sales@fireandacousticseals.co.uk 

ClientManchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) Market SectorHealthcare The Project BriefWythenshawe Hospital is a major acute teaching hospital part of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Its area of specialisms includes cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, heart and lung transplants as well as cancer and breast care services and supports patients from across the North West and beyond.During the upgrade of the Emergency Department (E.D) the team decided on both protection and preventative measures to ensure only the highest of standards were adhered to which were in line with the Hospital’s renowned reputation. The SolutionIntastop Ltd was chosen to supply and fit a range of protective products designed specifically to integrate seamlessly with the hospital aesthetics.They included Bed Head Protection, Hand Rails, Sanparrel® Wall Sheet and Corner Guards from the Inpro product range in addition to Intastop’s innovative I-Gienic Smooth Hygienic Sheet and Rigid Frame Guards. Impact protection sheet along with the other products installed at Wythenshawe Hospital boast a plethora of benefits including high impact resistance, Class ‘O’ Fire Rated; tested to BS476 Parts 6 & 7 and available in a variety of colours. Additional Benefits of Impact Protection SheetEnsures staff and patient safety in the event of a fire by maintaining fire integrity of the surface.Protects against localised damage.Maintains a clean, safe environmentAchieves colour contrast for critical surfaces to assist with visually impaired staff and patientsWhat the client saysMarcus Ashurst, project manager for the emergency department said“With a collaborative approach from the inception of the project through to completion, the Trust was mindful that the new emergency department operating 24 hours a day would require careful thought and consideration with regards to the finishes selected. With leading healthcare architects IBI plans were drafted with full engagement with the clinical teams to develop an extremely well-considered and effective design – fit for purpose.Working with Interserve, the principal supply chain partner appointed to construct the new development, Intastop were nominated to supply and install a fully comprehensive system of door and wall protection that would not only withstand and protect the built environment, but also enhance the aesthetics of the environment. The holistic approach taken and end result was indeed most satisfactory.”

Fire separation between floors reinstated with FireMaster® Fire Curtains

Architect: Frank Shaw AssociatesMain Contractor:  John Turner Construction GroupInstaller: Cubic FacadesLancaster Community Fire and Ambulance station was the first purpose built integrated fire and ambulance station in Lancashire. Designed by Frank Shaw Associates the project involved the construction of a new appliance bay while the facility remained fully active. Accommodating 2 fire engines, 7 ambulances and the North West Blood Bikes team. The bays are clad in Aztec Rainscreen faced with Peakmoor Sandstone in keeping with the area.Completed in September 2018 the stations Aztec cladding was fixed by Cubic Facades and has had excellent reviews including a commendation at the Lancaster & District Design Awards 2019.