Product category:
Insulation
News Release from: Rockwool | Subject: Rockwool Insulation
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 March 2006
Rockwool provides National Gallery fire
protection
Rockwool Insulation has been installed in one of London's most famous buildings, the National Gallery.
Rockwool Insulation has been installed in one of London's most famous buildings, the National Gallery The ongoing programme of development in its East Wing, forms part of a wider regenerative 'Masterplan' designed to enhance the facilities available to the gallery's five million annual visitors
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 13 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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As one of London's most widely accessed civic spaces, boasting some of Western Europe's finest paintings including Vincent Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and Sandro Botticelli's 'Venus and Mars', fire containment is an extremely important consideration.
An integral aspect of the programme was the installation of a smoke extraction system within the basement area.
Since few natural openings existed, smoke clearance via natural ventilation was virtually impossible and extensive ductwork was essential in order to remove smoke in the event of a fire.
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Crucially, the ductwork had to be capable of resisting the anticipated temperatures generated during the development of fire.
Consultant Engineer at Andrew Reid and Partners, Tony Nijhuis confirmed that the prevention of fire spread had to be taken extremely seriously.
"Rockwool FirePro Duct slab provides an extremely high level of fire protection, so it was a natural choice to use throughout the building".
"Its extensive use has significantly reduced the need for fire dampers on the conventional ductwork system, culminating in the uppermost standards of fire protection with little maintenance".
Lawdon Installations Limited was responsible for the installation of the FirePro Duct slab.
Jim Robertson, Director of Lawdons, commented on the vision of this project and the time Rockwool insulation saved his team.
"The aim of this regeneration is to ensure the National Gallery meets with the highest standard of fire protection".
"The combination of superior environmental performance and fire protection means that in most cases just one application of FirePro Duct slab is required".
"Complemented by its ease of use, we were able to save considerable man-hours".
Environmental issues also had to be closely addressed in this project, as Rockwool Senior Industrial Consultant Stuart Sargeant stated".
"The excellent environmental properties that Rockwool insulation possesses can save in application more than 1000 times the energy used for its production".
"This environmental quality was paramount to such a project with it being a public building".
"The aesthetic qualities of FirePro duct slab also ensured that the exposure of some of the ductwork in public access areas was complementary to the Gallery." The completion of Phase 1 of the East Wing Development reflects the gallery's continued capacity for creative renovation.
The development has included the creation of the new Sir Paul Getty entrance, which provides direct public access to Trafalgar Square for the first time.
Works have also been undertaken to improve visitor facilities with the completion of a new cafe, gallery shop and the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court which includes an impressive staircase that leads up to the newly-refurbished Central Hall.
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