A multi-million pound project to create an exclusive residential development in a Cheshire conservation area, which has given a new lease of life to a beautiful unused Victorian church, has demonstrated how Promat UK’s high performance, fire-resistant glass range represents the assured choice for developers.
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. Designed by award-winning architects Ollier Smurthwaite, the new properties sensitively respond to the material and detailing of the impressive Grade II listed building, with new components sitting sympathetically within the volume of the historic structure, taking reference from existing forms and fabric.
One of the building’s key features, given its ecclesiastical heritage, is the 3m wide communal corridor which 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, whilst delivering superior quality properties with assured levels of fire protection and acoustic insulation, was the brief met by Promat UK, whose Glazing for Life® ethos is centred on delivering assured passive fire protection.
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 solution was a sealed unit specification incorporating EI60 fire rated insulated glass units. These are fitted into oak frames to deliver high quality windows which reflect the high-end specification of the development.
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.
Cath McLean, Segment Manager – Glass at Promat says: “The team at Promat worked with Hale Estates at an early stage to provide specialist guidance through the design and specification stages of the project, and we continued to work closely with them right through to installation. This ensured we were able to provide a high quality solution that met the full specification criteria and stringent fire ratings in what is ultimately a stunning residential development by Hale Estates.”
Promat UK is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of fire, thermal and acoustic solutions. Its extensive range of glazing products are widely used in residential, public and commercial buildings, providing passive fire protection in both integrity only (E) and integrity with insulation (EI) from 30 to 120 minutes. It is also the only company providing specifiers with the assurance of a complete fire-rated system in SYSTEMGLAS®, which is checked for fire safety compliance at every stage; design, manufacture and installation.
