PYROGUARD AND SCHÜCO DELIVER HIGH-PERFORMANCE FIRE-RATED FAÇADE FOR BELFAST GRAND CENTRAL STATION

Pyroguard, a leading independent provider of high-performance fire safety glass, has partnered with leading framing manufacturer, Schüco to deliver a complex fire-rated façade solution for the landmark Belfast Grand Central Station.

Located in Belfast city centre, the £340 million facility replaces the former Great Victoria Street Station and Europa Buscentre and is designed to accommodate up to 20 million passenger journeys annually. As the largest integrated transport hub in Ireland, the development brings together rail, bus and active travel within a single, highly connected environment.

Architects RPP were looking to create a transformative customer experience at Grand Central Station through a spacious concourse and extensive use of natural light achieved with large glazed expanses across multiple façades.

The glazing system therefore needed to be more than just a building envelope. It had to create a feeling of openness and generate a positive user experience. This required a solution that could maximise natural light and transparency while meeting strict criteria for fire resistance, thermal efficiency, acoustic performance and structural integrity.

Pyroguard worked in close collaboration with Carey Glass and specialist contractor Williaam Cox to develop and deliver a fully certified system. More than 400 m² of Pyroguard Protect fire safety glass was supplied and integrated within Schüco’s curtain walling, ensuring a cohesive façade solution that met both design and compliance requirements.

Pyroguard Protect T-EI60/25-3 was specified for its ability to achieve 60 minutes of fire resistance while supporting large pane sizes, enabling uninterrupted sightlines across the façade. Installed within the Schüco FW 50+ FR 60 system, the glass plays a critical role in the building’s fire strategy while maintaining the visual lightness intended by the architects.

Delivering fire-rated glazing at this scale required precise engineering and close coordination. Pyroguard’s technical team provided critical support throughout the project, combining product expertise with system knowledge to ensure compliance with all performance criteria and seamless integration within the façade.

In addition to fire performance, the glass enhances safety and user comfort, offering 1B1 impact classification, P1a attack resistance, strong acoustic attenuation, excellent thermal performance and up to 80% light transmission. The result was a highly transparent building envelope that maximises daylight while meeting rigorous safety and performance standards.

Dennis Fahy, Sales Manager at Carey Glass International, explains: “This was a technically demanding project involving large glazed areas within the curtain wall, each needing to meet strict fire, thermal, structural and aesthetic criteria. Pyroguard’s technical expertise and collaborative approach ensured the final solution was fully certified and met every requirement. The result is a glazing solution that defines modern transport architecture in Belfast.”

The project was recognised at the 2025 Schüco Excellence Awards, where judges highlighted the engineered façade solution for its consistent sightlines, structural performance and integration across the extensive building envelope.

For more information about Pyroguard, please visit www.pyroguard.eu