A year on: The impact of the Pyroguard TechLibrary
One year on from its launch, the Pyroguard TechLibrary has made a measurable impact on how fire safety glass is specified and delivered. We sat down with Dr Vince Crook, our Technical Development Director, to reflect on the platform’s progress, its benefits for the industry and what lies ahead.
Vince, it’s been a year since TechLibrary launched. How has it improved access to technical information?
Over the past 12 months, our TechLibrary has grown quickly, both in terms of users and the volume of information available. Today, it provides instant access to over 6,000 certified products, all in one centralised platform. That was always the goal, to tackle the industry’s long-standing issue of fragmented and often outdated or difficult-to-access product data.
By bringing everything into one place, TechLibrary eliminates the need to search across multiple sources. It saves time, reduces uncertainty during specification and ultimately improves accuracy when it comes to quoting.
Who did you have in mind when designing TechLibrary?
It was built for everyone involved in the specification and decision-making process around fire safety glass. That includes architects, specifiers, fabricators, estimators, contractors and installers. Each of these roles needs reliable, accessible technical data, but they use it in different ways. Whether you are designing a system, sourcing compliant glass solutions or looking for installation and technical support. TechLibrary supports them with the information they need, instantly.
What kind of technical data can users expect to find?
There is an extensive range of technical resources available. This includes classification reports, certification documents, system datasheets and performance specifications. We’ve also included tested system solutions in collaboration with market-leading frame manufacturers. This means users can access verified glass and framing configurations straight away, improving compatibility and giving greater confidence in design decisions.
What about functionality, how easy is it to find the right solution?
Ease of use was a key focus. The platform includes a range of filters so users can quickly narrow down options based on fire-resistant ratings, glass type, dimensions and other criteria. Alternatively, the quick search bar delivers results in less than a second, with the ability to refine them further by specification or application requirements.
This makes it much easier to identify compliant solutions that still meet the design intent. And for more complex applications, like oversized panels or unusual geometries, users can connect directly with our dedicated product development team for bespoke technical advice.
Specification errors can be costly. How does the TechLibrary help reduce risk?
Most errors come from using outdated data or combining incompatible components. TechLibrary addresses this by providing validated, up-to-date information supported by third-party certification. It removes ambiguity from the process and helps ensure that what’s specified is aligned with the project requirements, which reduces the likelihood of revisions or rework further down the line.
Has it had an impact on the quoting process?
Absolutely! TechLibrary is now one of the largest consolidated fire-glass data libraries available, with recognised regional-specific third-party certifications built in. For fabricators in particular, it simplifies the process significantly as all the relevant product data and documentation are already linked, so there’s no need to compile information manually. It saves time and provides reassurance that every quote is backed by verified evidence.
Compliant is a major focus in the industry. How does the platform support this?
TechLibrary makes compliance much more straightforward by giving users direct access to approved products and the latest technical information in one place. We’re also very aware of the industry’s transition from BS 476 to EN 1634-1 and EN 13501-2, which place greater emphasis on third-party accreditation, traceability and verified performance.
The platform helps users navigate that shift by making it easy to filter products by country-specific approvals, fire classifications and supporting test evidence. Users can also quickly download the relevant approvals, certification documents and datasheets, helping ensure they have the information needed for specification, quoting and building control submissions.
What kind of feedback have you received over the past year?
The response has been very positive. Specifiers and designers often highlight how easy the platform is to navigate, while fabricators appreciate the time savings and clarity it brings to their work. Overall, users tell us they feel more confident, both in selecting the right products and in pricing their projects more accurately.
Looking ahead, what’s next for TechLibrary?
We see this as an evolving platform. In the near future, we’ll be introducing more detailed datasheets and installation videos to support both specification and on-site application. We’re also planning to expand the database to include acoustic data, which will help address both standard and more complex project requirements. We’re also exploring how AI-driven functionality could make it even easier for users to find the right solutions and technical information quickly.
Beyond that, personalisation is a big focus. We’re looking at user-specific dashboards and tailored documentation recommendations, so that users can access exactly what they need, when they need it.
Ultimately, the Pyroguard TechLibrary was built with our customers in mind and everything we do next will continue to support greater control, efficiency and confidence in the specification and estimating process.