PFI Protection

Pilkington Pyrostop™ glass from Pilkington Processing and Merchanting UK has been used to give high performance fire resistance and aesthetic appeal to the construction of Swindon's new £100 million Private Finance Initiative hospital. The entire project was developed for the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust by The Hospital Company of whom Carillion are a stakeholder.

Work on the massive 32 acre site development began in October 1999. The new hospital building itself is an L-shaped structure with a dramatic curved quadrant forming the main entrance. Once completed, the building will provide over 55,000 sq. m of floor space.

Construction and the specification of building materials embraces the best in environmental practice and sustainable development, involving the incorporation of energy efficient features. For the glazed screen in the atrium of the building, Baydale Architectural Systems Ltd supplied over 100sq m of Pilkington Pyrostop™ specialist fire resistant glass, which provided the twin benefits of fire protection and visual appeal.

Being a clear multi-laminate material, Pilkington Pyrostop™ allows the maximum ingress of light, creating the impression of light and space in the main entrance foyer. Part of the Pilkington fire resistant range, Pilkington Pyrostop™ has been specifically formulated to offer up to 120 minutes fire integrity (the ability to keep back flames, smoke and hot gases) and fire insulation (the restriction of the temperature rise on the non fire side), enabling safe and fast evacuation procedures to be carried out successfully if necessary in the case of fire outbreak.

Pilkington specialises in the manufacture of specialist glass, which combines a high level of fire protection with impact resistant qualities, essential for use in a hospital environment where traffic, including trolleys and large equipment is heavy and constant.

Pilkington Processing and Merchanting UK is the specialist business of Pilkington UK merchanting bulk glass and processed bespoke products for the industry, and is renowned for the assurance it offers in terms of the quality of the end product and throughout all stages of the manufacturing process.