Located on the south side of Trafalgar Square in London, Albannach is a new modern bar and restaurant, which features a 30-minute fire barrier at the top of the staircase.
Mann McGowan was contacted by the restaurant owner, as the district surveyor had stipulated that a barrier was needed to provide fire separation between the lower and ground floor levels. But the owner also wanted the barrier to be unobtrusive to visitors.
To meet this challenge, the company supplied a Pyrovista 30 screen, which measured over six metres in length and four metres high, incorporating both 90 and 135 degree angles. To provide 30 minutes integrity and insulation, the screens and doors were glazed with 15mm Pilkington Pyrostop glass, bedded on Pyroglaze 30 intumescent seals.
The fully-glazed doors were hung on Royd and Tucker Hi-load hinges, all backed with Pyrohinge intumescent gaskets, to provide insulation to the timber. Pyrostrip Flexifin seals, which are claimed to be Warrington Certifire-approved, were fitted to provide a barrier to both fire and cold smoke. According to the company, an added benefit of the specification is that the decibel reduction offered is 38dB.
Albannach features a ground floor bar, mezzanine restaurant and lower-ground vaulted cocktail lounge.
