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Pyroguard blazes a trail in UK fire glass production

In modern architecture, glass plays a critical role in equipping buildings with their unique character, as well as delivering a host of benefits for occupants while meeting the necessary regulatory requirements in terms of fire safety.

Pyroguard Made In Britain Balloons

So when it comes to sourcing fire-rated glazing, finding a manufacturer which can deliver on specification is just as important as one who can meet the demanding schedules of today’s construction projects, as Jason Walker of Pyroguard discusses.

For architects and specifiers in the UK, lead times have long been a challenge when bringing construction projects in on time – and on budget. With the integral role toughened fire glazing plays in some of today’s buildings, the pressure to secure the shortest lead times can sometimes result in projects being underspecified, ultimately leading to unsuitable products being used. That’s something the industry has been aware of for some years, and is something Pyroguard is determined to change with the opening of a brand new facility in the UK.

Focused solely on the production of toughened fire glass for the UK and Ireland, the new Haydock-based facility replicates the existing set-up of Pyroguard’s largest facility for toughened fire safety glass in France to deliver an enhanced service to customers in the UK. By directly transferring the practices and skills which have been developed in the French facility – where Pyroguard’s toughened ranges have been manufactured for over fifteen years – customers can be confident in the quality of products while benefiting from the advantages British-based production brings with it, including shorter lead times.

Developing capabilities

With the opening of a second production facility in Haydock, Pyroguard is proudly forging the way in fire-rated glass production in the UK. Having produced cuttable fire glass in Haydock since 2002, the additional plant means the entire Pyroguard range will now be produced in the UK, specifically serving the UK market.

In practice, that means fire-rated products which meet or exceed the specific regulatory requirements expected of building components in the UK and Ireland, as well as significantly reducing lead times in getting those products to site. That allows specifiers to focus on securing the right products for their projects, ensuring the highest quality components underpin their constructions to create buildings which tick every box in terms of design, safety and deliverability.

Beyond those core benefits, as constructors become more environmentally conscious and drive towards greener construction for the benefit of local residents, the ability to source all glazing requirements from a single manufacturer within the UK opens up a new option in achieving green credentials.

Investing in the UK

Beyond the clear benefits for customers of opening a dedicated toughened glazing production facility in the UK, it also represents a significant investment in Pyroguard’s UK infrastructure. To ensure the highest quality of production, the plant is fitted with the latest equipment. Operating that equipment is a team of 8 highly skilled workers, all of whom sit in newly-created posts and have been trained to directly replicate current production methods in France for consistent levels of quality. Combined, this means Pyroguard’s new facility is capable of producing products to meet the full requirements of the UK and Irish markets.

As the first phase of development following Pyroguard’s recent management buyout, this investment showcases a clear commitment to customers in the UK. With each of the facilities located just a stone’s throw away from one another in Haydock, with easy access to the motorway network, customers now have access to Pyroguard’s complete portfolio of products, safe in the knowledge they’re manufactured within the UK to national and European standards, with significantly reduced lead times and environmental footprint.

For more information about Pyroguard’s new facility and range of toughened products please contact us.

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