FIREFLY® Barrier System Ensures Fire Safety Of New Harwell Science Building
Critical work to ensure the fire performance across one elevation of a cavernous new research building, at a world-famous science campus in Oxfordshire, has been successfully carried out by a specialist installation company using a lightweight barrier system from the range of FIREFLY® and unusually for a solution which is concealed within roof structures or other hidden compartments to all types of building, in this instance the Zeus Lite Vertical is to remain permanently visible, requiring a novel upgrade to its appearance.
Harwell Science and Innovations Campus near Didcot in Oxfordshire, originally established in the 1940s as the country’s atomic energy research centre, but nowadays known as the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, offers a mix of manufacturing, flexible laboratory space, R&D facilities and office accommodation to start-ups; as well as major international businesses. As the designers of the Tech Edge, 1 AJA Architects chose to specify the Zeus Lite Vertical 90-30 system to protect the steel framed building from the close proximity of another, timber clad office structure. Following a site visit and design input by FIREFLY®’s Sales Manager, Coventry based KRASI Fire Protection was awarded the contract to carry out the installation on behalf of Feltham Construction Ltd.
KRASI’s Contract Manager, Daniel Oldacre, commented: “Due to the orientation and short distance to the existing building, a fire barrier was the only option and FIREFLY® Zeus Lite was specified. We installed it by shot-firing the normal steel angles against the inner frame of the building, stapling the barrier together and securing the barrier to it while we had to temporarily remove the cross bracing to achieve safe access for employing a cherry picker. However, while this would normally be left visible, we were required to conceal the staples by securing a strip of FIREFLY® Phoenix over the staples using high-temperature adhesive. The work went well – involving good cooperation with the client and architects and took us three weeks with four operatives on site.”
FIREFLY®’s Product Manager, Chris Boam, stated, “To meet the client’s requirement for fire protection that not only achieved the necessary fire resistance rating but also maintained a visually appealing finish, we worked closely with KRASI to ensure all fixings were concealed. To accomplish this, the typically exposed staples were covered using FIREFLY® Phoenix, secured with high-temperature adhesive, while ensuring full compliance with safety standards.
The Zeus Lite was also used to protect the two braces once reinstated, based on a special detail supplied by FIREFLY®. The finished installation, totalling 346 square metres, has the pristine appearance of high-performance architectural textiles often utilised for creating canopies at sports stadia and exhibition grounds.
FIREFLY® Zeus Lite Vertical 90:30 is a lightweight, non-rigid fire barrier designed to provide fire compartmentation of larger concealed spaces and voids within buildings, offering 90 minutes integrity and 30 minutes Insulation. It has been specifically designed and tested for vertical applications. 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 vertically using a full selection of FIREFLY® ancillary products to ensure a fully tested and certified installed system.