When the Indian Hotels Company commissioned the design of its five-star Vivanta by Taj hotel, fire safety regulations are reported to have scuppered the use of lifts which opened directly into the corridors of the hotel.
With the fire officer demanding fire safety partitioning around the base of the lift shafts, fire-resistant glass manufacturer, Pyroguard, tendered a solution.
Taking on board the design aspiration of the team at Indian Hotels, combined with the fire-safety requirements needed for design approval, Pyroguard envisaged a lobby encased in glass and steel, capable of delivering best-in-class performance credentials and aesthetic appeal in abundance.
Working closely with steel frame and glazing specialist, Pacific Fire Controls, Pyroguard designed a modern glass wall, with a glazed door and stylish, thin steel frames which were independently fire tested by Efectis France. The scheme amendment was accepted by both the architects and the fire officers.
Pyroguard supplied 390m2 of ultra-thin, lightweight Pyroguard Integrity Plus, which offers protection from flames, smoke and radiant heat for between 30 and 120 minutes. The EW classified product is UV stable, offering ‘exceptional’ light transmission. The toughened glass was installed in fire-resistant steel screens and door frames around the lobby, providing protection for hotel occupants making their escape in the event of an emergency.
