Pyroguard has partnered with Schüco to deliver a high-performance fire-rated façade solution for the landmark Belfast Grand Central Station development in Belfast city centre.
The £340 million transport hub replaces the former Great Victoria Street Station and Europa Buscentre and has been designed to accommodate up to 20 million passenger journeys each year. As the largest integrated transport interchange in Ireland, the scheme combines rail, bus and active travel connections within a single development intended to improve connectivity across the region.
Architects RPP Architects aimed to create a bright and open passenger environment through the use of expansive glazed façades and a spacious central concourse. The façade system therefore needed to do more than provide enclosure and weather protection. It also had to maximise transparency and daylight while meeting demanding fire, acoustic, thermal and structural performance requirements.
Pyroguard worked alongside Carey Glass International and specialist contractor Williaam Cox to develop a fully certified glazing solution integrated within Schüco’s curtain walling systems. More than 400m² of Pyroguard Protect fire safety glass was incorporated into the façade package to deliver the required balance of safety, performance and visual clarity.
Pyroguard Protect T-EI60/25-3 was selected for its ability to provide 60 minutes of fire resistance while accommodating large pane sizes that maintain uninterrupted sightlines across the building envelope. Installed within the Schüco FW 50+ FR 60 curtain walling system, the glazing forms a key part of the station’s fire strategy without compromising the architectural intent for openness and natural light.
The scale and complexity of the glazing package required detailed engineering coordination throughout the programme. Pyroguard’s technical team worked closely with project partners to ensure the system met all certification and compliance requirements while integrating effectively with the wider façade design.
In addition to its fire performance, the glazing specification delivers 1B1 impact classification, P1a attack resistance, acoustic insulation, thermal efficiency and light transmission levels of up to 80 per cent. These characteristics contribute to a highly transparent façade that improves passenger comfort while supporting operational and safety requirements within the transport hub.
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 later received recognition at the 2025 Schüco Excellence Awards, where judges highlighted the façade package for its engineered consistency, structural performance and integration across the station’s extensive glazePyroguard has partnered with Schüco to deliver a high-performance fire-rated façade solution for the landmark Belfast Grand Central Station development in Belfast city centre.
The £340 million transport hub replaces the former Great Victoria Street Station and Europa Buscentre and has been designed to accommodate up to 20 million passenger journeys each year. As the largest integrated transport interchange in Ireland, the scheme combines rail, bus and active travel connections within a single development intended to improve connectivity across the region.
Architects RPP aimed to create a bright and open passenger environment through the use of expansive glazed façades and a spacious central concourse. The façade system therefore needed to do more than provide enclosure and weather protection. It also had to maximise transparency and daylight while meeting demanding fire, acoustic, thermal and structural performance requirements.
Pyroguard worked alongside Carey Glass International and specialist contractor Williaam Cox to develop a fully certified glazing solution integrated within Schüco’s curtain walling systems. More than 400m² of Pyroguard Protect fire safety glass was incorporated into the façade package to deliver the required balance of safety, performance and visual clarity.
Pyroguard Protect T-EI60/25-3 was selected for its ability to provide 60 minutes of fire resistance while accommodating large pane sizes that maintain uninterrupted sightlines across the building envelope. Installed within the Schüco FW 50+ FR 60 curtain walling system, the glazing forms a key part of the station’s fire strategy without compromising the architectural intent for openness and natural light.
The scale and complexity of the glazing package required detailed engineering coordination throughout the programme. Pyroguard’s technical team worked closely with project partners to ensure the system met all certification and compliance requirements while integrating effectively with the wider façade design.
In addition to its fire performance, the glazing specification delivers 1B1 impact classification, P1a attack resistance, acoustic insulation, thermal efficiency and light transmission levels of up to 80 per cent. These characteristics contribute to a highly transparent façade that improves passenger comfort while supporting operational and safety requirements within the transport hub.
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 received recognition at the 2025 Schüco Excellence Awards, where judges highlighted the façade package for its engineered consistency, structural performance and integration across the station’s extensive glazed envelope.
