Harris Calnan Construction Company (HCCC) is an established contractors specialising in the refurbishment of prestigious residential properties. Recognised by RIBA for transforming some of London’s most exclusive addresses into highly desirable modern homes, HCCC’s reputation is synonymous for working with the UK’s leading architects.
Harris Calnan Construction Company (HCCC) is one of London’s most established contractors specialising in the refurbishment of prestigious residential properties. Recognised by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), HCCC work with leading architects to transform some of London’s most exclusive addresses into modern, desirable homes.
Creating modern, open plan environments often requires the demolition of non-loadbearing walls that were originally built in accordance with building regulations at the time.
For HCCC, redeveloping an exclusive property in London’s Kensington & Chelsea borough required the demolision of a non-loadbearing firewall to create a large, open plan kitchen. However, removing this wall would result in the property’s failure to comply with enforced fire regulations.
If the new, open plan designs were to be realised, HCCC had to replace the firewall with a non-invasive means of providing 30 minutes fire resistance and heat protection. Furthermore, it would need to allow escaping occupants to pass this area safely, without this, the property would fail to meet fire regulations and be granted Building Control approval.
As one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of domestic fire curtains, Coopers were appointed by HCCC to develop a fire curtain system to compartmentalise the kitchen from the dining room in the event of a fire. Also required, was a standalone fire curtain that would protect the property’s internal balcony from the spread of smoke and fire.
Coopers installed and commissioned two FireMaster® Plus fire curtains, the first to protect the property from fire and smoke migrating from the kitchen whilst the second to protect the internal balcony from smoke and fire travelling between floors. Both fire curtains provide 2 hours fire and insulation zone protection and were installed into the ceiling to remain hidden from view until deployed by a fire alarm.
Coopers project managers worked to RBKC’s requirements, fitting the curtains with side guides and smoke seals, voice warning and beacon systems, emergency buttons to retract the curtain and beam detectors to keep the deployment zone clear of obstructing furniture.
From concept to full commissioning, Coopers worked with HCCC and liaised with RBKC to confirm that both FireMaster® fire curtains and accessories were installed to meet local authority building control approval. Furthermore, Coopers ensured that both fire curtain systems remained sympathetic to the property’s design.
Coopers unique experience and understanding of domestic fire curtain regulations also meant that the stress of achieving building control approval was avoided.
Increasingly specified by designers as an integral component for facilitating open plan living, Coopers domestic fire and smoke curtains are the modern alternative to firewalls and fire doors and give designers the freedom to design beautiful open plan spaces without compromising fire safety.
