Objective
To bring Prairie View A&M University’s vision of an open and visually stunning new EnCARB Building to life, providing the next generation of top engineers and computer scientists a place to hone their skills.
Background
The original design featured a three-story opening classified as an atrium, which would have required the vertical space to be a fully protected shaft enclosure using multiple fire-rated doors and solid-wall construction. It would also have altered the aesthetics. Griesenbeck worked with Stantec and the local code authority to address building safety requirements and allowed the overall vision to proceed into construction.
Solution
To separate the two-story space from the remaining single story, Griesenbeck installed three Model H200 horizontal steel fire shutters. Each shutter is almost 7′ wide and ranges from 23′ to 32′ in length. Using deployable, horizontally oriented fire shutters that close only in the case of a fire allowed the design to remain open yet code compliant.
Additionally, because the code allows only 50% of required exit stairs to open into an atrium space, Griesenbeck installed nine Model T2000 vertical coiling fire shutters with deployable egress doors to protect the three stairwells on levels one through three while allowing building occupants to exit safely via the stairs.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Type:
Higher Education
Manufacturer:
Product:
(3) Model H200 Horizontal Steel Fire Shutters &
(9) Model T2000 Vertical Coiling Fire Shutters with Deployable Egress Doors
Architect:
General Contractor:
Owner:
Location:
Prairie View, Texas
Photography:
Griesenbeck
Completion:
June 2022