Royal Caribbean’s ‘Wonder of the Seas’, France
Pyroguard and Novum work in partnership to deliver an innovative clear view façade glazing system that meets fire and performance requirements of a luxury cruise liner.
Novum Structures, a globally recognised specialist marine contractor in glass, steel and ETFE and Pyroguard have worked in partnership to design a fire-rated, clear-view façade glazing system that is fully tested and accredited to meet A30 and A60 fire resistance criteria for use on cruise liners.
The innovative solution was developed for the Royal Caribbean Group and first used as part of its latest ‘Wonder of the Seas’ liner, which was launched in 2022.
The Challenge
Novum Structures partnered with Pyroguard to deliver a lightweight glazed façade for a cruise ship that met strict fire safety and aesthetic requirements.
Supplying fire-rated glass to the marine sector brings unique challenges, particularly around weight, which directly impacts fuel efficiency, stability, and performance. Novum’s design maximised glazed areas with minimal steel framing to provide passengers with clear views—while still meeting A30 and A60 fire-resistance standards, as well as noise reduction, impact resistance, and load-bearing demands.
A further challenge was the façade’s curved configuration. Unlike traditional curtain wall systems that rely on heavy steel supports, Pyroguard’s solution achieved the required safety and performance without compromising visibility or adding unnecessary weight.
Testing
The system was tested to ensure that it met the required fire safety standards for the marine environment. The testing was carried out by the accredited test laboratory Efectis in France. To meet the A60 class requirement, the system must withstand flame for 60 minutes without catching fire on the unexposed side. The system successfully achieved an A60 class rating for straight walls and an A30 class rating for facetted walls.
The Pyroguard and Novum glazing solution achieved IMO MED (International Maritime Organisation Marine Equipment Directive) certifications, which ensure the system meets strict fire and safety performance for marine applications.
The Solution
To overcome the project’s weight and design challenges, Pyroguard and Novum developed a butt-jointed glazing system—lightweight, flexible, and structurally efficient. The design minimised steel reinforcement, reducing load while enhancing visual clarity, light transmission, and UV stability without compromising safety.
The installation features 280 m² of 32 mm thick, fire-rated glass, comprising three layers of toughened safety glass with gel interlayers. Combined with non-combustible insulating materials, the system provides up to 60 minutes’ fire resistance, preventing the spread of flames, smoke, and heat.
A stainless steel profile structure, made from 1.4401 grade steel, was chosen for its strength and corrosion resistance in marine environments, ensuring long-term durability and performance.
To learn more about the development of this solution, you can download our project case study or watch our recent YouTube video
Download project PDF
What the client said:
“We are excited to offer the cruise market a fully tested and certified fire-glazed system, and it was fantastic that its first use was on such a prestigious cruise liner. The project had its challenges and complexities but by working closely with Pyroguard, we were able to meet all the fire safety and performance requirements of the glazing system. Together we have pushed the boundaries of design and innovation with this newly developed curved glazing façade that complements the aesthetic requirements with maximum light transmission and minimum weight.”
Richard Mattocks – Managing Director, Novum Structures