Passive fire protection solutions from Nullifire safeguard Chester leisure complex

The £72 million complex consists of open streets, an arcade and a square that serve to integrate a six-screen cinema, cafes, restaurants, an indoor market, four office suites and a multi-storey parking and cycle hub.

The project was initiated with a determined focus on creating jobs, increasing tourism and driving economic growth in Chester and to provide a crucial catalyst for the city’s ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working in partnership with Vinci Construction and Fire Industry Specialists Ltd, Nullifire’s full fire stopping range and steel coatings were selected for installation at the site due to performance factors including durability as well as testing, certifications and a reference emanating from a similar project in Warrington involving both Vinci Concentration and Fire Industry Specialists Ltd.

Fire safety requirements

Nullifire’s passive fire protection solutions were selected to comply with industry and client-centric fire safety requirements. The complete installed fire stopping solution incorporates FB750 Intubatt Coated Batt, FS702 Intumastic Fire Resistant Acrylic Sealant, FP170 Intucollar, FR230 Intucompound Fire Mortar and the FJ220 Intubatt 3 Cavity Barrier.

These solutions’ high fire performance profile, swift installation times and accompanying testing and technical support from the Nullifire team were some of the main factors influencing the decision-making process. In addition, most of these products – namely FB750, FS702, FR230 and FJ220 – also incorporate Nullifire’s Optifire and Optifire+, which allow for peace of mind and product assurance through guaranteed traceability.

Nullifire’s steel coatings range complements the fire stopping solutions selected to provide ‘whole building’-style passive fire protection. SC801, which is a highly efficient and water-based coating solution, offers 120 minutes’ worth of fire protection, while SC802 (itself also a water-based coating solution) is optimised to 60 minutes of fire resistance.

Both intumescent coatings were selected due to their high level of fire protection. SC902 Intumescent Steel Coating was used here due to its fast-drying characteristics and high build application. On this project, it allows for a single coat application and long-term exposure to all weather conditions, thereby ensuring that construction could continue irrespective of the environmental conditions. Together, these coatings are the most cost-effective combination for protecting structural steel from fire.

Training and technical support

Application of the Nullifier solutions began on site back in April 2021. Nullifire installed circa 750 m² of the company’s fire stopping solution and between 10,000 m² and 12,000 m² of intumescent coatings and topcoats to supplement the building of Chester Northgate.

Alongside the provision of high-performance products, the Nullifire team also helped the project contractor with on-site training, detailed drawings, application guidance and technical support, including on-site visits to ensure a smooth installation process. All of this assisted on delivery of the project within the designated programme timescale.

Lin Turner, area sales manager at Nullifire, informed Fire Safety Matters: “This project demonstrates the true partnership approach between Nullifire and CPG UK and our partners. By working together with both contractors and providing training on our passive fire protection solutions, we’ve been able to add real value for the project team and meet the stringent needs of this development.”

Turner concluded: “We were delighted to be selected to work with both Vinci Construction and Fire Industry Specialists Ltd for this project, where our passive fire protection solutions will be helping to protect the location from fire.”

*Further information is available online at www.nullifire.com