Education

School buildings, where large numbers of children need increased protection, for example, create special demands. Architects and specialist engineers frequently use fire-resistant glazing to solve aspects such as reliable fire compartments, swift and safe evacuation together with clear organisation and visibility in the escape routes. Essential applications here include fire-resistant refuge areas and partitions with high level fire-resistant properties.

Example of application:

Christburger Str. Primary School, Berlin

The challenges posed by this listed building are typical for historical school and administration buildings: extremely long corridors without any compartmentation open into staircase areas that would soon become unsuitable as escape routes in the event of a fire because there are no barriers to hold back flames, smoke and dangerous radiant heat. In this case, the open space design and with it the character of the original architecture was preserved by using EI 90 glazing in the staircase sections and EI 30 doors to encase the escape routes. The discreet, slender structural steel system was implemented in compliance with the regulations with curved features and individually tailor-made fire-resistant model panes, receiving due approval from National Heritage authorities.