Glazing and Metalwork Features

The brand new Alder Hey in the Park children’s hospital on Merseyside, due to open later this year, showcases a host of glazing and metalwork features manufactured by Brighouse-based Arkoni.

Arkoni’s involvement at the ground breaking new hospital, the first in Europe to be built entirely within a park, included the manufacture and supply of external fire rated glazed roof lights and automatic fire rated smoke extraction vents. Internally fire rated glazed screens and door sets were supplied and fitted.

The total value of the project, delivered on behalf of contractors Laing O’Rourke under the auspices of Manchester-based BDP Architects, was just over £1,000,000 making it the second largest contract in Arkoni’s 24-year history.

Martin Quarmby of Arkoni explained: “We had to design an in-house test for the walk-on glass that leads to the roof lights. It had to take the weight of 2 adults when the glass was in a broken state.

“A test rig was developed by Arkoni and was successfully carried out at our Brighouse workshops overviewed by Laing O’Rourke and their structural engineers as well as representatives from Saint-Gobain glass and Jansen Steel Systems

“We also worked closely with Exova Warringtonfire to develop automatic smoke extraction vents which had to offer EI 60 fire protection from vehicles catching fire in the adjacent car park.

“We were on site at the new hospital for twelve months from August 2014 and we are delighted to have contributed towards such an important landmark building that will help to improve the lives of many thousands of children in the years to come,” added Martin.