Hart & Co, the Lancashire based fire window specialist, has worked with Salix Homes to supply PVC-U fire rated windows for nearly 60 flats across its Salford housing stock.
An independent fire risk assessment carried out for the social housing provider had identified specific flats opening onto communal areas which required a fire rated window as well as a fire rated door in order to comply with the relevant codes of practice under the Fire Safety Reform Order 2005. Salix Homes turned to Hart & Co for a solution.
The REHAU accredited fabricator was able to design and manufacture fixed pane, fire rated windows using the REHAU RAUFERNO system, providing a cost effective, low maintenance and attractive alternative to conventional frames in timber or steel.
The REHAU RAUFERNO windows from Hart & Co use the market leading REHAU TOTAL70 PVC-U profile system with an intumescent strip within the specially reinforced frame. This strip expands with heat to offer at least a 30-minute fire rating, complying with the requirements of BS476 Pts 20 and 22.
For the Salix Homes properties, largely located across the Beechfarm estate in the Swinton area of Salford, Greater Manchester, Hart & Co fabricated windows up to 2m wide using separate 1m square fixed light frames joined with an expansion coupler. These replicated the look of the windows with opening lights which had been in place previously. They are double glazed with 4mm float glass on the inside of the sealed unit and pyroshield wired glass on the outside.
Hart & Co, based in Skelmersdale, has been fully accredited by REHAU to manufacture the RAUFERNO system, having undergone certified REHAU training. It has a specialist division producing the fire windows (www.firewindows.co.uk) enabling it to respond quickly to the Salix Homes order.
Director Chris Hart said: “A surprising number of private and social housing landlords are unaware of the requirements regarding fitting fire rated windows adjacent to an external fire escape route or in a boundary wall within 1000mm of an adjoining property. We can provide help and advice, as well as manufacturing the windows and providing a list of our preferred installers.”
