Pyroguard Protect fire safety glass and the minimalistic Jansen steel framing profile have been specified for a new office development on Dublin’s iconic Fitzwilliam Street Lower.

KCC Group worked closely with the architects, design teams, contractors and client to deliver a range of glazing solutions for the project. One of those was the design and installation of fire-rated internal doors and screens in the lift and entrance lobbies on each floor of the project’s new office space as a means of compartmentation, providing up to 90 minutes fire performance.

Compartmentation is said to be a key part of a passive fire protection strategy and involves splitting the building into a series of fire-safe compartments, not only helping to control the spread of a blaze but also creating a safe means of escape for occupants and safe access for emergency services in the event of a fire.

A combination of Pyroguard Protect fire safety glass in classifications EI60 and EI90 were specified alongside Jansen’s steel system for doorsets and screens, providing 60 and 90 minutes fire performance respectively.

David Skelly, director at KCC Group said: “Working with both Jansen and Pyroguard, these glazing systems and screens were designed not only for their minimalistic aesthetic and ability to allow maximum light into the interior space, but more importantly to comply with the fire strategy of the building.”

As well as fire protection, Pyroguard’s products can also offer a range of other qualities, which proved valuable on this project, as Andy Lake, sales director UK & IRE at Pyroguard explained: “By combining our technical knowledge and the multi-functional capabilities of our fire safety glass, we were able to offer KCC Group a solution that also delivered high-performance impact resistance and acoustic properties – two qualities which are vital when you consider the application being central lobbies within a busy office space.”

Pyroguard Protect is a range of toughened fire safety glass suitable for both internal and external applications, offering integrity and heat insulation from 30-120 minutes (EW classification) and 30-180 minutes (EI classification). The glass can also provide a 1B1 impact rating, high-performance acoustics and excellent UV stability.

‘Project Fitzwilliam’ was completed in 2022, with Dublin’s ESB Headquarters opening shortly after.