Case Studies

Bord Na Mona HQ, Kildare

TEAM

Fire Safety & Health & Safety Management Teams

Sector

Services Provided

Assigned Certifier

Overview of service

ORS provided Fire Safety and Disability Access consultancy services for Irish semi-state climate solutions company, Bord na Mona’s new corporate HQ in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

The proposed building will be an impressive 5-storey hybrid Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure, designed by Plus Architecture, which incorporates an agile workplace for staff, wellness rooms, a sensory room, a gym, a prayer room, a mothering room and flexible team working areas. The building features numerous architectural features such as the triple height atria at the front of the building to accommodate tall planters and the double height reception void between the ground and first floor.

The upper floors of the building step back to create an open environment, allowing the roof to be visible from each upper floor. An external common green terrace will also be provided on the fourth floor overlooking Newbridge Main Street. ORS successfully received Part B and Part M approval for the design which will ultimately result in the tallest building in Ireland using CLT as the main structure.

Screenshot 2023 02 13 at 10.25.00
Farran Mullingar
Screenshot 2023 02 13 at 10.25.00

WHAT IS CLT?

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is a construction material where lengths of solid timber are glued together, and each layer is laid perpendicularly from the adjacent layers. This results in the natural grain of timber being crossed which increases the load-bearing capacity of the final product. CLT is a renewable and more environmentally friendly approach to standard construction materials such as steel and concrete.

Group 4987
Castleforbes 3
Screenshot 2023 02 13 at 10.25.00

Project challenges

Cross Laminated Timber

The main challenge for this building was the Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) primary structure and how this would achieve compliance with Part B of the building regulations.

The standard method of compliance (TGD-B Ireland) could not be adopted in this case as the guidance document does not allow such a large-scale building to use timber as the main structure. The fire design of the building required careful consideration and the UK guidance document BS 9999: 2017 was successfully adopted as the method of compliance for Part B.

ORS prepared an expertly tailored application, complete with a compliance report specific to the design of the building, and carefully considered fire engineering drawings. The application successfully demonstrated to the Fire Authority that the design of the building is fully compliant with the guidance set out in BS 9999: 2017, including the specifications of the CLT itself requiring a load bearing fire resistance of at least 60 minutes.  

The other challenge presented was the southwest elevation, which was almost fully glazed, and the potential of external fire spread was a concern.

An expert value engineered approach was used to avoid the need for such a substantial amount of fire rated glazing on the elevation. The solution was to provide active and passive fire safety provisions internally. Fire curtains were provided to the open stairs, and a limited amount of fire rated glazing to certain locations of the atria were specified. This resulted in the building effectively being split into two fire compartments. The provision of the fire rated curtains ensured that the building maintained it’s open connections between floors, and only forming compartmentation between floors on activation of the fire detection and alarm system.

Leads

Key Contacts

  • Gleneavon Apts 3 (1)
    Group 8501 2
    View Bio
    Des Fortune

    Technical Fire Lead

  • Brian Collentine Director 2
    Group 8501 2
    View Bio
    Brian Collentine

    Director

  • Damian Kenny Commercial Manager
    Group 8501 2
    View Bio
    Damian Kenny

    Commercial Manager

  • Bord Na Mona HQ, Kildare

    ORS provided fire safety and disability access consultancy for Bord na Mona’s new corporate HQ in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

    Fire Safety

    View project
  • Lidl Distribution Centre

    Supermarket giant Lidl appointed ORS to provide multidisciplinary services on the development of a 57,611 sqm world-class distribution centre in Westmeath.

    Fire Safety

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  • Center Parcs Ireland

    ORS provided multidisciplinary services for Center Parcs’ Longford Forest establishment from early design to project completion.

    Fire Safety

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  • Bluebell Residential Development

    The ORS fire safety team provided fire safety and disability access consultancy for residential development Bluebell on the Grand Canal in Dublin.

    Fire Safety

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  • Dr Pepper Manufacturing Plant

    ORS led the design team in delivering fire safety, disability access, PSDP, and assigned certifier services for Keurig Dr Pepper’s world-class manufacturing plant.

    Fire Safety

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  • Dublin Airport Logistics Park

    ORS provided fire safety and disability access consultancy services for a 150-acre site development near Dublin Airport.

    Fire Safety

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  • Stemple Exchange

    ORS provided assigned certifier, fire safety, and disability access consultancy services for Stemple Exchange, a 17,000 sq. ft office development in Blanchardstown Corporate Park.

    Assigned Certifier

    View project

Talk to A specialist

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Contact us

Block A, Marlinstown
Business Park, Mullingar,
Co.Westmeath, Ireland.
N91 W5NN

Pembr, 127 Baggot Street Lower, Baggotrath Dublin, D02 F634

Portershed,
Eyre Square,
Galway,
H91 HY51

Office 4, Spencer House,
High Road, Letterkenny,
Co. Donegal,
Ireland. F92 PX8N

Republic of Work,
12 S Mall,
Centre, Cork,
T12 RD43

ORS has satellite offices in Newry and Maynooth.

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