what was the client looking for?
Stoneforce Ltd are a sub-contractor fit out company that work regularly with major high street brands such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge and BHS.
Stoneforce appointed Coopers Fire to offer a fire curtain solution for the new Topshop and Topman store in Oxford, offering a fire break around the escalator between the basement and ground floor.
The basement level mainly comprises of the Topshop retail store as well as the offices, store room and services. The ground floor is used by Topman.
The ground floor and basement are connected by a two way escalator for the shoppers and staff to use. As a fire break is required between these floors, it was necessary to install a fire curtain.
To retain an open plan feeling to the basement and allow more usable space at the bottom of the escalator for clothes rails and displays, the FireMaster Concertina was an ideal solution as no corner posts are required.
The FireMaster Concertina once deployed creates a ‘virtual wall’ and is invisible from view until required in the event of a fire.
HOW DID WE HELP?
Coopers FireMaster Concertina is a great way to offer compartmentation between floors and able to fully encapsulate an escalator and act as a fire break.
By installing the FireMaster Concertina meant it would provide the building with an approved, non-invasive means of fire protection that would satisfy the fire regulations as well as ensuring that the open plan design remained as intended.
Compartmentation and Protected Means of Escape were required as part of the fire safety solutions. A 5760mm by 3750mm with a drop of 3935mm, L shaped, open FireMaster Concertina was installed at the bottom of the escalator. The complete system is assessed in accordance with BS EN 1634-1:2008 for 240 minutes Integrity.
Due to its modern technology, well-engineered design and non invasive properties meant it fitted perfectly with this high specification, open plan retail store.
BENEFITS
Coopers were able to work closely with Stoneforce Ltd on this project to satisfy the fire regulations. As a manufacturer and installer that is fully project managed meant Coopers were able to ensure the final, fitted product satisfied the high quality finish required. Coopers are Independently Third Party Certified for Product Testing and Installation.
Coopers fire curtains are recognised as the modern alternative to firewalls, fire doors and glazing, giving designers the freedom to design modern, open plan spaces without compromising fire safety. They are increasingly specified by designers as a solution for open plan designs.
Coopers Fire is a turnkey business, offering the customer a product and service with full provenance. Coopers Fire designs, manufactures, tests, installs and maintains all its fire curtains from our business premises in Havant, Hampshire.
