Fire and acoustic solution

A £multi-million project to create an exclusive residential development in a Cheshire conservation area, which has given a new lease of life to a Victorian church, has included Promat UK’s fire-resistant glass range.

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.

One of the building’s key features, given its ecclesiastical heritage, is the 3m wide communal corridor that 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, while delivering assured levels of fire protection and acoustic insulation, was the brief met by Promat UK.

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 result was a sealed unit specification incorporating EI60 fire rated insulated glass units, fitted into oak frames.

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.

www.promat-glass.co.uk