Spain’s AVE rail system is the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, running on 3,100km on track and enabling passengers to travel between Madrid and Barcelona in less than three hours. This extensive, modern network connects the majority of Spanish cities and, as a key priority of the country’s government, has recently been refurbished and extended at many points. One example is the Estación AVE Granada, which was upgraded to join and enhance the network. The redevelopment of the main station will completely modify the square, the tracks and the look and feel of the station. Its new use of natural light and modern design was taken from proposal to reality by fire glass specialists, Pyroguard.
Estación AVE Granada’s contemporary design is a vision in to the future of a connected Spain. Faced with the challenge of designing a welcoming, light filled and vibrant station, the use of natural daylight through high glass windows was the chosen way to deliver this vision.
However, with this being a public place which has thousands of passengers travelling through every year, safety was of the utmost importance when it came to the glass required for the station. The specification outlined by the customer – installer Taviart Carlet - was a glass which provides protection against the passage of flames, smoke and toxic gases for 30 minutes (E Classification) to allow for the safe evacuation of passengers.
After working closely with Taviart Carlet on what was required, Pyroguard used its technical expertise to develop a bespoke test using its in-house test furnace to ensure a fire-rated glass that met the required specification.
Pyroguard Integrity is a range of toughened fire rated glass which provides integrity and radiant heat reduction for 30 minutes, with EW classification. The technical solution delivers a lightweight solution allowing exceptional light transmission, providing a light and airy public space.
Additionally, due to the average temperature of 24°C in Granada – rising to 32°C in the summer months – a UV-stable solution was required, which Integrity Plus ably provided.
The Estación AVE Granada now has over 230sqm of Integrity Plus EW30 fitted – a total of 235 double-glazed units – delivering the best in product performance. And, by upgrading to double-glazing within a steel frame system, additional performance characteristics were made possible – including achieving the desired U-rating and increasing the acoustic value.
For further information on Pyroguard Integrity, please visit www.pyroguard.eu
