We were specified by Designscape Architects to provide fire curtain solutions for the new Vanguard Self-Storage facility in Bath.
Located on the site of the former Regency Laundry, which operated since the 1880s, the facility now houses a meticulously restored Vampire T11 jet aircraft suspended in its atrium.
This unique feature added a layer of complexity to the project, requiring fire protection systems that ensured the safety of the building, the occupants, and the historic aircraft. Our team was tasked with manufacturing four high-performance fire curtains to provide fire integrity, radiation control, and smoke protection throughout the facility.
The Challenge
The project required fire protection systems that addressed multiple safety aspects: fire integrity, heat radiation control, and smoke management in the event of a fire. The system also needed to be adaptable to the varied room sizes and configurations of the storage facility, all while safeguarding the building and its occupants.
Building control regulations further specified the need for supplementary items to ensure proper functionality and occupant safety. These included Obstruction Warnings, Audio & Visual Alerts, and Photocells to detect any blockages in the curtain’s descent path.
Solution
After reviewing the project’s specifications, we recommended the AdexonFC60EW with integrated smoke seals. This system offers 60-minute fire integrity (E) and radiation protection (W) and complies with the current harmonised standards EN 16034:2014 and EN 1634-1:2014.
To meet the project requirements, we installed the following ancillary items:
- Audio & Visual Warnings to alert occupants when the fire curtains are in motion.
- Photocells to detect potential blockages and enhance overall safety.
Results
The installation of our fire curtains provided Vanguard Self Storage with a reliable, fully tested, and certified fire and smoke protection systems. Each curtain was bespoke-manufactured to fit the facility’s unique requirements, with sizes ranging from 2.6m W x 2.9m H to 4m W x 5.7m H. The visible components of the systems, are powder coated to RAL 7022 Umbra Grey.
Beyond safeguarding the facility and its occupants, these fire curtains play a crucial role in protecting the suspended Vampire T11 aircraft – a truly distinctive aspect of this project.
Our fire curtain systems ensure long-term fire protection, compliance, and peace of mind for both the premises and its historic display:
