Project: Mill Brook Elementary School
Location: Concord, N.H.
Architect: HMFH Architects
Glazing Contractor: R & R Window Contractors
Product: Fireframes® Aluminum Series frames with Pilkington Pyrostop® glass firewall
A core objective of the Mill Brook Elementary School renovation in Concord, N.H., was creating an environment that promotes collaborative learning. HMFH Architects helped fulfill this vision by developing a multi-use “learning corridor” that brings education beyond the classroom.
The corridor weaves its way throughout the school’s shared spaces, incorporating areas for presentations, personal study and group projects. Vibrant colors evoke a playful, energetic ambiance to foster inter-grade learning, while easy access to technology and Wi-Fi support modern day curriculum needs and encourage interdisciplinary teaching methods.
Among the building elements contributing to the success of the elementary school’s public learning areas is a fire-rated stairwell that supports the school’s vision for collaboration. HMFH Architects designed the stairwell to be bright and open, reflecting the playful energy of students. They achieved this goal by pairing Fireframes® Aluminum Series fire-resistant frames with Pilkington Pyrostop® fire-resistant glass, both supplied by Technical Glass Products (TGP).
Rather than the bulky, wrap-around frames often associated with traditional fire-rated framing systems, the Fireframes Aluminum Series fire-rated frames have slender profiles that can be custom wet painted, anodized or powder coated in nearly any color. Custom aluminum face caps are also available for design teams seeking to create a unique look or maintain visual consistency with surrounding windows and curtain walls. In this application, the narrow fire-rated frames were powder coated a bright purple to match the interior color scheme—a key aesthetic benefit since learning areas are integrated into public spaces outside student classrooms.
The Fireframes Aluminum Series fire-rated frames also provided the design team with the flexibility to follow the stairwell’s custom corner angles and create a tall expanse of fire-rated glazing with minimal framing. These elements add to the assembly’s sleek design, and improve visibility for students using the stairway. As was the case in Mill Brook Elementary School, design professionals can use the Fireframes Aluminum Series in applications requiring a two-hour barrier to radiant and conductive heat transfer.
Pilkington Pyrostop is fire-tested as a wall assembly, allowing for unrestricted amounts of transparent glazing. In the elementary school stairwell, the clear glazed lites help draw daylight deep into the stairwell core and extend line of sight for students and faculty. Pilkington Pyrostop also meets the impact requirements of CPSC 16CFR1201 Category I and/or Category II – a critical performance benefit for glass used in busy stairwells.
Together, Fireframes Aluminum Series fire-resistant frames and Pilkington Pyrostop fire-resistant glass offer fire-ratings of up to two hours and block the transfer of radiant heat, providing essential protection should students need to exit a building during a fire. For more information on the products, along with TGP’s other specialty fire-rated and architectural glass and framing, visit www.fireglass.com.
Technical Glass Products
800.426.0279
800.451.9857 – fax
sales@fireglass.com
www.fireglass.com
Related Stories
| Feb 7, 2012
Kawneer and Traco combine portfolios
Portfolio includes curtain wall systems, windows, entrances and framing systems.
| Feb 7, 2012
Lubbers promoted to creative director at Wight & Co.
Lubbers has been instrumental in many recent high profile Wight projects, including the College of DuPage Student Resource Center, Seaton Computing Center, The Adler Planetarium Sky Theater transformation and UNO Charter Schools.
| Feb 7, 2012
Shepley Bulfinch opens San Francisco office
This expansion establishes a physical presence that builds on a portfolio of work for institutional clients on the West Coast, dating to the development of the original Stanford University campus in 1891
| Feb 7, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti opens new office in Denver
The firm, which now has 25 offices internationally, opened the new office to better serve current and potential clients in the western Central region and Mountain States.
| Feb 6, 2012
Slight increase in nonres construction spending expected in 2012, growth projected for 2013
Commercial sector expected to lead real estate recovery.
| Feb 6, 2012
FMI releases 2012 Construction Productivity Report
Downsizing has resulted in retaining the most experienced and best-trained personnel who are the most capable of working more efficiently and harder.
| Feb 6, 2012
Kirchhoff-Consigli begins Phase 2 renovations at FDR Presidential Library and Museum
EYP Architecture & Engineering is architect for the $35 million National Archives Administration project.
| Feb 6, 2012
Batson-Cook announces the appointment of Hall as president
Hall will manage and direct all aspects of the firm’s day-to-day operations. He will be based in Batson-Cook’s Atlanta office.
| Feb 6, 2012
Siemens gifts Worcester Polytechnic Institute $100,000 for fire protection lab renovation
Siemens support is earmarked for the school’s Fire Protection Engineering Lab, a facility that has been forwarding engineering and other advanced degrees, graduating fire protection engineers since 1979.
