Pyroguard representatives helped to regenerate the Capuchino Convent de San Antonio de Padua, in the Spanish city of Zaragoza. The project, which was completed in February, presented many challenges, including how to work within the parameters of a historic building and bring it in line with modern-day regulations while simultaneously respecting its heritage and aesthetics. The Capuchino Convent de San Antonio de Padua forms part of a wider historic complex built to honour Italian soldiers after the Spanish Civil War.
When it came to the building’s compartmentation, glass was key. Specifiers chose the Duramen System from AFVidrio– a timber frame with a varnished oak finish – to ensure that any new glazing was in keeping with the convent’s style and heritage.
Project workers then carried out a bespoke EI120 fire resistance test, using AFVidrio’s frame in collaboration with Pyroguard. This fire test was a critical phase of the project and provided assurances of the overall glazing system’s performance. Pyroguard’s technical knowledge was key in helping to design and pass the EI120 fire test, according to business leaders. The project also featured Pyroguard’s Protect fire safety glass.
Pyroguard Protect is the company’s range of toughened fire safety glass which can provide integrity and heat insulation protection from 30 up to 180 minutes. Certified to 1B1 impact classification, Pyroguard Protect can also offer high-performance acoustic properties and UV stability.
Another challenge of working within historic buildings, as opposed to a new development, is having to adapt the building products to suit the existing structure. On the Capuchino Convent de San Antonio de Padua project, a selection of the glazing units were semi-circular doors and other shaped glass, rather than standard rectangular panes. Pyroguard supplied bespoke glass components to suit the on-site framework.
Miguel Marin, project director at AFVidrio, said: “Undertaking any project with Pyroguard is a guarantee of success. Pyroguard provides you with confidence in terms of the product quality and local regulations.
“The knowledge and capabilities of Pyroguard’s technical team were instrumental in ensuring both a successful fire test and the on-site installation of the fire safety glass system. This, and the quality of their fire safety glass, contributed to us meeting the end client’s deadline in a timely manner. We were particularly impressed with the great light transmission that Pyroguard Protect glass delivered – a very important and valuable attribute within the fire safety glass market.”
Earlier this year, Pyroguard released a new brochure. Read more about that here.
