Leigh Academy, Dartford, Kent

Fabricator : APiC UK Limited, Sandwell Business Park, Smethwick, B66 1RD www.apicuk.ltd.uk

Architects: BDP

Main Contractor: Galliford Try Construction Ltd. Uxbridge, UB8 2AL

Products: Wrightstyle SR Curtain Wall, Wrightstyle 6050 F1 Series fire resistant doors and screen system and WSL Fire resistant glass.

The Project: to build four three-storey colleges and a sports hall, with an indoor garden and large exterior glass frontage, was designed to allow light to flood through the building, and provide large and inspirational places for learning – a radically different approach to traditional educational architecture, which separates and segments classroom areas.

A complete package of systems and complementary fire glasses, Wrightstyle supplied its advanced SR curtain walling system, with protection from 30 to 60 minutes of integrity and insulation. This system seamlessly blended interior fire-rated elements with the exterior non-fire protected envelope, whilst also achieving advanced acoustic requirements.

The company also supplied their 6050 F1 Series doors and screens, to comply with the building’s fire evacuation strategy. So not only providing glazed fire doors but also protecting two lift shafts in the winter garden area – a complete glass and glazing system solution.

“The design was exceptionally challenging. I think one of the most important and difficult aspects of this project were the number of fire rated and non fire rated screens, all interfacing at the same point from different angles and different planes. This really highlights the versatility of both the system and the fabricator, APiC UK Limited,” said Lee Coates, Technical Director of Wrightstyle.