Maximising light transmission and fire safety in lift shafts, enclosures and lobbies
Lifts have become an essential feature for multi-storey residential buildings over recent decades as the importance of maximising accessibility is increasingly prioritised in building design. In fact, ever since the publication of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995, which was subsequently replaced by the Equality Act 2010, there has been a much greater focus on installing passenger lifts within apartment blocks and flats.
In apartment buildings designed around a central atrium, lifts can become an attractive design feature by using glass walls for the car itself and on the lift shaft – these are sometimes referred to as scenic lifts. This enables passengers in the lift to transfer between floors with clear visibility throughout the height of the atrium, which can provide a unique visual spectacle in taller buildings. It also allows building users to see the lifts in motion from the ground floor and overlooking balconies.
Glass lift shafts, however, need to be designed in a way that balances the aesthetic and light transmission benefits with fire safety. Depending on the fire strategy for the building, it may be beneficial to ensure the lift shaft offers a certified period of resistance to the spread of fire, such as 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
This is why Promat SYSTEMGLAS® is an ideal solution for glass lift shafts as one recent apartment refurbishment project in central Prague illustrates. Here the fire resistant glazing system was used to achieve a contemporary design within a steel structure that sits sympathetically within a traditional building.
The fire protection specified here was integrity and insulation (EI) for a period of 45 minutes. In the UK, Promat SYSTEMGLAS® is more typically required with ratings of EI30, EI60 and EI120 minutes.
Designed by KPP in conjunction with the architect Knappová, the large building on Ve Smečkách close to the historic centre of Prague features apartments plus a tourist hostel. In addition to the glazing that forms the lift shaft, Promat SYSTEMGLAS® was also used to create a fire rated glass partition.
Projects like this illustrate the versatility of Promat SYSTEMGLAS® which makes is ideal for numerous applications in the communal areas of residential buildings. In other projects, it is regularly used for creating timber, steel or glass fire doors as well as entrance lobbies and other types of glass enclosures.
