Wheel of assurance

Promat Systemglas in situ, which provides architects, clients and contractors with a 360º ‘wheel of assurance’ for fire rated interior glazing.
Promat Systemglas in situ, which provides architects, clients and contractors with a 360º ‘wheel of assurance’ for fire rated interior glazing.

Promat UK is offering a 360º ‘wheel of assurance’ for fire rated interior glazing through its glazing system, Promat Systemglas, to offer assured fire protection for up to 120 minutes.

Systemglas is designed to offer excellent aesthetic potential thanks to the availability of butt-joints, which are checked for quality and inspected by fire safety experts at every stage. 

Systemglas uses Promat’s comprehensive fire glass product range, which is suitable for all building applications with fire ratings of between 30 and 120 minutes.

Promat’s technical experts provide guidance on the right approach at the design and specification stage, and the system is manufactured in-house to ensure all cutting and processing is completed to the correct standard.

Concluding the wheel, Promat inspects Systemglas on completion to ensure it has been installed in accordance with its recommendations and provides a certificate of conformity for installation.

Promat said it can provide this 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.

Ian Cowley, general manager at Promat UK, said: “We have seen many changes in fire, thermal and acoustic insulation legislation and specification over the past three decades, but one of the most significant policy changes was arguably to allow performance specifications which include phrases such as ‘or similar approved’. 

“Despite being well-intentioned and giving clients greater choice, this has unfortunately given rise to various stakeholders in a project’s supply chain now offering their perspective on what materials are ‘fit for purpose’, and on occasions this could lead to an inappropriate specification. In the case of fire protection, this is putting specifiers in potentially risky situations, as the building may ultimately end up with a misrepresentation of what is actually required.

“All passive fire protection is only as good as its weakest link, which is why we have invested so much in setting up Promat UK to offer solutions that reduce risk.”

www.promat-glass.co.uk