How Pyroguard helped Royal Holloway to create a modern study space without compromising on safety
When it comes to creating educational spaces which meet the needs of today’s students, there’s no room for compromise. Spaces need to be flexible to cater for different types of study; they require the capacity to accommodate the very best resources; and their design must balance these ambitions without detracting from existing facilities and surroundings. Of course, another area where compromises can’t be made is in safety. This was the scenario for Royal Holloway, University of London, as it embarked upon the development of The Emily Wilding Davison Building.
The Davison Building – which opened its doors for the 2017-18 academic year – sits at the heart of the renowned university’s scenic campus beside its iconic grade 1 listed Founder’s Building. Alongside a cutting-edge library stands a host of facilities: open study spaces which overlook the leafy Founder’s Square; individual study pods and collaborative study areas; and seminar, events and exhibition spaces. To make these spaces work for everybody, glass is integral. Whether it’s the bridge which spans the library atrium, exterior windows, or internal glazed panelling, the functionality of these defined spaces is made possible with glass. As a result, Pyroguard was approached by Moda Interiors to deliver a solution which would fulfil the architectural design while meeting specific safety regulations.
Specification
With the library open around the clock, the building rarely stands empty, so providing adequate fire protection was a must in ensuring the safety of students, staff and visitors. The solution was Pyroguard EI60 – toughened glass with double-sided fire protection capable of providing integrity and heat insulation for up to 160 minutes.
As is the case with many buildings, different areas within the Davison Building require different levels of protection to effectively prevent the spread and growth of fire, as well as protect escape routes for occupants as required by Building Regulation Approved Document B. Meeting EI classification, Pyroguard Protect provides the greatest levels of protection against flames, smoke and radiant heat, allowing valuable time to be gained in the event of evacuation. Providing a level of protection which far exceeds the legislative requirements, the glazing solution is fire tested to BS 476 and BS EN 1363-1 standards and is capable of providing protection for 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 minutes, depending upon its specification.
Martin Potter, Technical Sales Manager, said: “For many modern architectural designs, glass plays a fundamental role in bringing visually stunning designs to life, while simultaneously ensuring practicality. As a material, it can provide the critical safety features which are required of modern buildings and is capable of creating spaces which appear light, airy and open while providing privacy through compartmentation and noise reduction – something which is particularly important for a building of this nature.
“The Pyroguard Protect solution which we recommended for this unique project offers the highest levels of protection in the event of a fire. Its approved status from Certifire UK and EI classification mean it can be relied upon to perform in the event of a fire while also meeting the aesthetic demands of modern design.”
Speaking of the outcomes of the project, Richard Whittle, Director of Moda Interiors, said: “When we were contracted to install the interior fire resistant atrium screens and doors, Pyroguard was the natural choice to supply the glazing for these frames. The glass provides the highest levels of fire resistance, as well as providing noise reduction and barrier protection. Besides achieving these essential technical and safety requirements, the finished product effortlessly ties the building together and helps it to complement the surrounding buildings on campus.”
To explore this project further, or to discover more about Pyroguard Protect, please visit www.pyroguard.eu
