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As part of a massive fit out project for a Global Investment bank, a glazed central stairwell was required to meet the client’s brief of creating open spaces. Being the main access point for the fire service, the glazing had to satisfy stringent conditions from the District Surveyor and achieve a 2 hour integrity and Insulation fire rating. With its expertise in architectural glazing and its ability to engineer innovative solutions, specialist contractor OAG provided the answer.

Being completed by Mace fit-out subsidiary, Como, the scheme at One Angel Lane in the City of London, will see the Investment Bank Nomura, double its office space in the building by extending its trading floors into the 11-storey atrium.

As part of the creation of additional office space, Nomura decided that one of the original dry lined stairwells should be opened up and glazed. In addition, further architectural glazing was required, including the installation of balustrades on internal bridges and new lift lobby wall cladding. The original building known as Watermark Place was designed by Fletcher Priest with TTSP taking on the design for all the building modifications and space planning for what is now called One Angel Lane. Working alongside TTSP, OAG had the expertise to deliver the client’s requirements.

The core 3 stairs, which cover four floors of the building, had originally been dry lined, providing the necessary protection for both fire fighters and building occupants, in the event of a fire. With the dry lining removed, OAG was tasked with engineering a glazed solution that would maintain this level of protection.

Working with leading glass manufacturer, Pilkington, OAG undertook considerable research to satisfy the requirements of the District Surveyor. Conforming to British Standard BS 9999 Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings, the team created a solution that included 2 hour fire rated glass and glazed doors to achieve a rating of EI-120 – the highest fire rating possible.

The solution comprised Forster insulated 120/120 frame sections and Pilkington 120/120 glazed units. This was acknowledged as passing the test specified by BS 476: Part 22:1987 in respect of both integrity and insulation.

As part of the design process, TTSP sought approval of the design from the District Surveyor and the local Fire Officer. The design was also approved by fire safety consultants, LFCDA.

In addition to the fire rated glazed stairwell, OAG also installed black painted glass within the lift lobbies and glass balustrades on the internal bridges that intersect the building, further demonstrating their ability to tackle the most challenging architectural glazing project.