The Cradle

One of Germany‘s first buildings based on the so-called C2C principle (Cradle to Cradle) was constructed in a prime location in Düsseldorf. This highly sustainable construction method primarily uses materials that can be reused. The client of this pilot project on the Rhine is The Cradle GmbH & Co. KG. The Cradle is an architectural landmark project that sets new standards for the construction industry and the modern workplace. As such, it fits perfectly with the ambitious goal of the City of Düsseldorf to become climate-neutral by 2035.

The timber hybrid building features a diamond-shaped wooden supporting structure which, through its orientation following the path of the sun, simultaneously acts as a sunshade and reduces the need for artificial lighting and electrically operated blinds via strategically placed openings on each floor.
Inside, the C2C pilot project also offers impressive visual and health-promoting features such as green walls and activated carbon fine-dust filters, contributing to a healthy indoor climate.

FIRE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS

Responsible Use of Natural Resources – Structural Fire Protection Solutions by PRIORIT

The responsible yet efficient use of natural resources is a key environmental issue and an important focus for
PRIORIT. The raw boards are manufactured from natural components available in virtually unlimited quantities and contain no harmful additives. The extraction of the base material, the production of the boards, as well as the processing and manufacture of the finished fire protection products all take place in Germany.

For The Cradle project, inspection access panels from the PRIODOOR RTH and
PRIODOOR RTX product lines, as well as PRIODOOR ETX-RDA smoke extraction dampers, were installed.

Service Shafts:

Within the building, technical building services are routed to individual floors through vertical service shafts. To prevent the spread of fire and smoke to other floors in the event of a fire, service shafts, including the access panel closures installed within them, must be constructed from non-combustible materials and provide a fire resistance rating equivalent to the highest fire resistance requirement of the fire-separating elements they penetrate.

To maintain access to the service shafts while ensuring compliance with building regulations, PRIODOOR RTX inspection access panels were installed in sizes ranging from 500 mm (H) × 500 mm (W) up to 2010 mm (H) × 985 mm (W). Both raised installations and floor-level installations were used.

For walk-in shafts, PRIODOOR RTH inspection access panels proved to be the ideal solution. These panels were developed in accordance with high-rise building regulations and provide fire protection from both sides. Their fire resistance rating of 30 or 90 minutes, tested from both sides, also includes compliance with the maximum permissible temperature increase of 180 K on the side facing away from the fire, as required for walls, shafts and opening closures. In addition, they provide tested smoke-tightness. To preserve the discreet appearance, a concealed overhead door closer was intentionally selected. The internal door handle ensures safe and convenient opening from inside walk-in shafts.

Smoke Extraction:

According to building regulations, required corridors and stairwells, including associated lift lobbies, must remain usable for a sufficient period during a fire. Their use must not be endangered by smoke. For this reason, smoke extraction systems play a critical role in fire protection concepts. Smoke control pressurisation systems (RDA systems) are designed to keep escape routes free of smoke both vertically and horizontally, particularly in safety stairwells.

A smoke control pressurisation system was installed in The Cradle office building. To ensure sufficient smoke extraction from escape routes in the event of a fire, PRIODOOR ETX-RDA smoke extraction dampers with dimensions of 890 mm width × 2100 mm height were incorporated into the RDA system. These dampers provide a large, unobstructed free area for the discharge of smoke gases. Controlled by the building‘s smoke control pressurisation system, the dampers open automatically in the event of a fire. During normal operation, the dampers are smoke-tight and provide a fire resistance rating of 90 minutes.

Customisable Surface Finish Enables Individual Design:

Both the inspection access panels and the smoke extraction dampers were manufactured with a PRIOPAINT primer foil surface finish. This allows easy adaptation or the deliberate visual accentuation of these technical and functional fire protection products. In this project, the inspection access panels were seamlessly integrated into the wall surface, while the smoke extraction dampers were colour-coordinated with the lift lobby design.

Conclusion:

Safety, functionality, aesthetics and sustainability: PRIORIT‘s structural fire protection solutions excelled in all of these areas.