Two large internal glass screens which balance aesthetics with assured fire protection have been created using Promat SYSTEMGLAS F1 within a new multi-million pound facility to support the day-to-day operations of a major UK airline.
The twin glass screens measuring 6 metres wide by 2 metres high are featured inside the purpose-built 13,935.46 square metre ‘retail operations centre.’ The facility has been constructed to enable the airline to store, manage and distribute millions of in-flight retail products including food and drink, along with products sold in its onboard shops, including duty-free items.
Visibility and connection between the office spaces and the main warehouse and logistics zones has been maximised through the installation of two large, slim-framed fire resistant glazing screens, each formed of five panes. These were manufactured using the Promat SYSTEMGLAS F1 Ferro steel-framed glazing system following the architect’s specification, and installed by leading glazing contractor MD Glass Partitions.
Both screens offer EI120 (insulation and integrity) fire resistance and feature double glazed units manufactured by Promat which are filled with a highly UV-stable, water based intumescent gel. This type of glass unit provides excellent clarity and can be manufactured in sizes up to 1,500 millimetres wide by 3,500 millimetres high without being excessively heavy – the F1 glass units are, in fact around 30 percent lighter than the equivalent EI120 laminated glass.
The Ferro frame was manufactured using high quality steel, powder coated to give a stylish white finish. And with only 50 millimetres of the framing visible, the overall result is twin screens that maximise the amount of light transmission and visibility.
Installation was completed by Promat SYSTEMGLAS installer MD Glass Partitions, who have successfully delivered numerous glass elements for commercial projects across the UK. One of their biggest challenges was the lifting of the F1 glass units to a height of three metres during installation.
Richard Lawrence, Project Co-ordinator at MD Glass Partitions said, “The end result looks superb, and the client has the added peace of mind with Promat’s 360-degree ‘wheel of assurance.’ This meant Promat was able to provide the client with a certificate of conformity to reflect the fact that the glazing has been manufactured and installed to the standard required to meet the system’s stated fire protection level.”
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