Pyroguard Launches Game Changing Fire-Rated Balustrade Glass Range

Pyroguard, the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, has developed a  thinner, lighter glass specifically for balustrades that achieves A2 fire-rated performance and contains less encapsulated CO2. In partnership with Q-Railing, a specialist in balustrade systems, the product has been successfully tested and is the first approved balustrade system of its kind to reach the market.

The new Pyroguard Balustrades Evo range has been introduced to meet the growing demand for cost-effective, environmentally responsible glazed balustrade products - without compromising performance or aesthetic appeal.  Suitable for both new commercial installations or retrofit projects, the range offers a competitively priced alternative to aluminium railing style solutions.

Pyroguard Balustrades Evo reduces the interlayer thickness from 3 mm to 1.5 mm,  matching overall glass thicknesses of standard laminate equivalents – while delivering superior line load capabilities. The range includes streamlined options such as 13.5 mm, 17.5 mm, 21.5 mm and 25.5 mm for 1.5 kN/m line loads – with a weight saving of up to 6%.  The new range also offers a light transmission improvement compared to the existing Pyroguard Balustrades range and an embodied carbon improvement of up to 7.5%.

Existing Pyroguard Balustrades glass thicknesses will continue to be available.Andy Lake, Pyroguard’s Sales Director for UK & Ireland, said:  “Our new balustrade glazing options are a game-changing innovation. We developed the range to meet market demand for A2 fire-rated glazing panels at standard laminated glass thicknesses to deliver aesthetically pleasing balustrades at a competitive price.” 

He added: “The new range means balustrade manufacturers do not have to change their existing systems, making design and installation much easier, while also allowing them to use existing stock materials. Ultimately, our thinner, lighter balustrade glass delivers on cost, performance and sustainability.”

Darryl Holloway, Architectural Sales Manager, Q-railing explains: ““Over the past four years, we have supplied over 5,000 linear metres of fire-rated balconies for high-rise residential projects over 11 m, in conjunction with Pyroguard.  Pyroguard Balustrades Evo is an extension of our collaboration with the company to bring to market a fire-rated glass balustrade system which is a more commercially viable option for specifiers.”

By utilising conventional laminated glass thicknesses, Pyroguard’s Balustrades Evo range not only helps systems meet a wider range of budget expectations but also enhances environmental credentials by optimising the glass manufacturing process. With its A2 fire classification, Pyroguard Balustrades Evo complies with the latest industry standards for fire safety on balconies.  ​For more information about Pyroguard Balustrades Evo please visit https://www.pyroguard.eu 

Siderise Updates Its Masonry Cavity Barrier And Firestop Range With Pioneering Open State Solutions

Siderise has launched three new Masonry open state cavity barrier products for 25 and 50mm air-gaps. The fire resistance performance of the three new additions is IFC certified (IFCC), alongside the existing Siderise EWI Open State Cavity Barrier and Firestops, offering peace of mind that they are suitably tested and independently audited.

 The three new products that have been introduced are:

• EW25-FS60 with a 1-hour fire resistance (E 60 I 60) for air gaps up to 25mm. 

• EW50-CB30 with a 30-minute fire resistance (E 30 I 30) for air gaps up to 50mm. 

• EW50-FS60 with a 1-hour fire resistance (E 60 I 60) for air gaps up to 50mm. 

  
  

The complete range is available with 30-, 60- and 120-minute fire resistance performance ratings for voids up to 400mm and all products have been tested in accordance with the principles of the ASFP Technical Guidance Document TGD 19— the widely accepted standard for testing intumescent cavity barriers. Siderise are proud to have helped pioneer these types of open state cavity barriers as an effective compartmentation measure.

 Siderise open state cavity barrier products feature an integral heat activated intumescent strip that rapidly expands in the event of a fire to seal the cavity, which is particularly beneficial for overcoming the compartmentation challenges presented by inconsistent cavity widths that result from uneven, decorative or stepped brickwork.

 Another distinctive feature of Siderise EWI Open State Cavity Barrier and Firestops is that they are mechanically retained using full penetration brackets with bent tails for secure ‘positive’ retention. This fixing method helps prevent them from shifting forward and slipping off, which could otherwise obstruct ventilation and drainage in the cavity increasing the risk of moisture build-up, and could also result in the formation of unprotected gaps between the substrate and barrier exacerbating fire risk. Furthermore, in recognition of market demand, EWI products can potentially reduce the volume of cavity trays needed.

The Siderise EWI Open State Cavity Barrier and Firestop range is part of a complete suite of engineered Masonry passive fire protection and moisture management solutions for masonry external wall applications. www.siderise.com

Firefly® Phoenix Continues To Protect Home Bargains Chain

As value for money makes the Home Bargains brand an increasingly popular choice with price conscious shoppers, the national retailer is continuing to increase its coverage by building new stores in locations such as Camborne in Cornwall, with products from the FIREFLY® range repeatedly being included in the specification to help ensure the safety of staff and customers.  As with many of its outlets, the existing 9,150sq ft warehouse and sales floor on the Camborne Retail Park is being refurbished by Oakhurst (Southport) Ltd. with WPL Consulting filling the role of project architect. 

The Phoenix Vertical, Collaroll and ancillary FIREFLY® products have been used to create a semi-permanent fire barrier that is suspended from the underside of the pitched, metal decked roof. Installation of the 60- minute rated fire curtain and smoke barrier was carried out by sub-contractor S R Shopfitting over a period of just a couple of days in early July, with the new Home Bargains outlet scheduled for its official opening on August 22nd. Working from hydraulic platforms, the lightweight Phoenix fire barrier was fixed to sections of steel angle bolted onto the roof members, with all overlaps sealed using FIREFLY® High Temperature Adhesive, while butt joints were fixed using stainless steel staples. 

While the Collaroll was used to wrap the high-level steel beams, the manufacturer’s ablative batts – introduced into the range last year to assist with tasks like creating protected zones – fill voids beneath the soffit level. The Site Manager for Oakhurst, Kerry Humphrey’s, commented: “Along with a number of S R Shopfitting’s operatives, I have been on the FIREFLY® training course at its Rochdale premises and consider the systems to be far easier to install than the previous solution, which involved installing quite bulky sections of rock mineral wool which, even for those not directly involved with the work, tended to make you itch quite badly.  The Phoenix and other products, by contrast are light to handle and easy to fix.  It’s a brilliant system.”

“In respect of the Home Bargains stores we’ve been involved on, the fire requirements vary slightly between England and Scotland, where the regulation is for a full fire and smoke barrier and we know FIREFLY® will provide any special details we need for new jobs.  With the barrier now installed by SR Shopfitting, the internal construction will continue so that the Phoenix terminates on top of the ceiling structure.  Everything is going well and we are on schedule to handover the building on the 21st.” 

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.  www.tbafirefly.com