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Striking the optimum balance between aesthetics and fire safety in glazed partitions is a reality with new additions to the SYSTEMGLAS® range from passive fire protection market leader Promat UK.

Utilising the proven fire resistant material PROMATECT® H, two new Promat SYSTEMGLAS® options give designers and contractors the scope to create frameless, butt-jointed glazed screens that maximise light transmission, whilst offering fire integrity and insulation (EI) fire protection for 30 or 60 minutes.

SYSTEMGLAS® Celare is an EI30 and EI60 rated system that can be concealed in the floor, ceiling and side wall structures to give a virtually frameless result. And for applications where a visible frame is preferred, SYSTEMGLAS® Advenerat provides a solution to the same fire-rated standards whilst allowing for powder coated steel over-cladding or painting.

The fully certified systems – CERTIFIRE CF5452 – provide an alternative to metal or timber framing systems. Dependable fire protection for all products in the SYSTEMGLAS® range is guaranteed through Promat UK’s 360 degree wheel of assurance, where passive fire protection experts work with customers at every stage of the supply chain.

Promat starts by providing guidance on the right approach at the design and specification stage, and manufacturing consistency is assured as the system produced in-house. This ensures all cutting and processing is completed to the correct standard. Finally, Promat inspects SYSTEMGLAS® on completion to check that it has been installed in accordance with its recommendations and provides a certificate of conformity for installation.

Ian Cowley, General Manager at Promat UK says: “SYSTEMGLAS® Celare and Advenerat are innovative in the way we have combined advanced fire resistant materials to provide both integrity and insulation (EI) protection of up to 60 minutes in a system which can appear ‘frameless’.”

“As experts in fire protection, our R&D team leads the market. These new systems stem from our heritage, with our experience in manufacturing PROMATECT® H – a calcium silicate based material with excellent fire resistance properties – applied in a way that to enables architects and clients to benefit from this advanced product. And there’s more to come later in the year, with our timber framed SYSTEMGLAS® Ligna and steel framed SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro set to provide even more passive fire protection options.”

Promat provides assurance because it is in complete control of the design and manufacture process, and it has in-depth knowledge of the installation requirements. This means supply chain risks, such as product substitution or poor installation, can be eliminated. The resulting installation is peace of mind for building owners and users that they are protected as planned, should a fire incident occur.

Part of international building product manufacturing group the Etex Group, Promat UK has been producing fire, thermal and acoustic protection solutions for more than 30 years. In addition to its range of fire resistant glass, the company manufactures market leading high performance solutions which are used in numerous hi-tech, engineering and industrial sectors.

Find out more at www.promat-glass.co.uk.

A multi-million pound project to create an exclusive residential development in a Cheshire conservation area, which has given a new lease of life to a beautiful unused Victorian church, has demonstrated how Promat UK’s high performance, fire-resistant glass range represents the assured choice for developers.

The Trinity development at Bowdon near Altrincham by Hale Estates has created nine luxury residences in a variety of configurations and sizes from one to three bedrooms. The project has converted the former Trinity United Reformed Church, which dates from 1872 but was last used as a place of worship in 2004. Designed by award-winning architects Ollier Smurthwaite, the new properties sensitively respond to the material and detailing of the impressive Grade II listed building, with new components sitting sympathetically within the volume of the historic structure, taking reference from existing forms and fabric.

One of the building’s key features, given its ecclesiastical heritage, is the 3m wide communal corridor which passes through the centre of the church. This gives views up to the church roof and allows the original clerestory windows to provide natural light into the centre of the building. Maintaining this spectacular communal aspect with its original features and window shapes, whilst delivering superior quality properties with assured levels of fire protection and acoustic insulation, was the brief met by Promat UK, whose Glazing for Life® ethos is centred on delivering assured passive fire protection.

The 45mm glazing units provided by Promat UK were required to achieve strict acoustic and fire protection standards, in numerous shapes consistent with the Gothic style windows. The solution was a sealed unit specification incorporating EI60 fire rated insulated glass units. These are fitted into oak frames to deliver high quality windows which reflect the high-end specification of the development.

This sealed unit specification ensures the windows provide assured passive fire protection to EI60 – 60 minutes minimum for the window’s integrity as well as insulation from the heat of any fire. This protects the communal areas to provide a safe, sufficient window of opportunity for residents and visitors to exit the building safely in the event of a fire.

In addition to the fire protection dimension, the glazing units also work to provide residents with insulation from unwanted external noise in the communal areas. This is achieved through the glass types used and their thicknesses, to deliver windows with an acoustic sound reduction level of a minimum of 43db.

Cath McLean, Segment Manager – Glass at Promat says: “The team at Promat worked with Hale Estates at an early stage to provide specialist guidance through the design and specification stages of the project, and we continued to work closely with them right through to installation. This ensured we were able to provide a high quality solution that met the full specification criteria and stringent fire ratings in what is ultimately a stunning residential development by Hale Estates.”

Promat UK is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of fire, thermal and acoustic solutions. Its extensive range of glazing products are widely used in residential, public and commercial buildings, providing passive fire protection in both integrity only (E) and integrity with insulation (EI) from 30 to 120 minutes. It is also the only company providing specifiers with the assurance of a complete fire-rated system in SYSTEMGLAS®, which is checked for fire safety compliance at every stage; design, manufacture and installation.

Find out more about Promat UK’s fire-resistant glazing solutions at www.promat-glass.co.uk.