Supporting the Next Generation of Education with Safe, High-Performance Balustrade Systems

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Project Overview

The Institute of Technology in Stafford represents a major investment in modern technical education, delivering new facilities designed to support teaching in engineering, construction and digital disciplines. Located on Castle Street in Stafford, the building provides contemporary teaching spaces supported by open circulation areas, internal voids and multi-level stair cores.

Main contractor Speller Metcalfe was responsible for delivering the scheme, coordinating a number of specialist packages to ensure the building achieved the required standards for safety, durability and architectural integration.

SMART Balustrades was appointed as the specialist subcontractor responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of internal balustrade and handrail systems throughout the building. The package involved a combination of stainless steel and structural glass balustrades installed to staircases and internal voids, forming an essential part of the building’s edge protection and circulation safety infrastructure.

Given the nature of education buildings, where staircases and walkways experience continuous daily use, the systems required careful specification to meet the required loading criteria while providing long-term durability.

Scope of Works

The works included the installation of multiple balustrade systems across internal staircases and elevated void areas.

 

To the internal staircases, SMART Balustrades installed grade 304 stainless steel balustrade systems comprising 48mm diameter satin brushed stainless steel posts and top rails with 10mm clear toughened glass infill panels. These systems were installed with plate-fixings, allowing the balustrade to be securely anchored while maintaining clean stair profiles.

The staircase balustrades were installed between 900mm and 1100mm high and designed to meet 1.5kN loading requirements, in accordance with the structural performance criteria typically applied to circulation staircases within public buildings.

Complementing these systems, wall-mounted stainless steel handrails were installed throughout the stair cores. These systems comprised 48mm diameter satin brushed stainless steel handrails with wall brackets, providing a durable and minimal detailing solution while ensuring reliable fixing performance.

In addition to the staircase systems, SMART Balustrades installed structural glass balustrades to the internal Level 01 and Level 02 voids using the SMART Vetro Guard system.

These installations comprised continuous aluminium top-mounted base tracks supporting 25.5mm laminated SentryGlas panels, finished with 42mm diameter satin brushed stainless steel handrails. The structural glass balustrades achieved an overall height of approximately 1500mm from finished floor level, with loading applied at 1100mm.

The system was engineered to achieve 3kN loading performance, reflecting the higher load requirements associated with large internal voids and public circulation areas.

Compliance and Technical Considerations

Education buildings require robust edge protection systems capable of performing safely under heavy daily use. The balustrade systems installed at the Institute of Technology were therefore designed in accordance with relevant standards, including:

 

  • BS 6180 barrier loadings
  • BS EN 12150 toughened glass standards
  • Building Regulations Approved Documents K, M and B

 

The use of laminated SentryGlas structural glass panels ensures enhanced structural performance and post-breakage integrity, while stainless steel components provide corrosion resistance and long-term durability.

These materials are particularly suited to education environments where maintenance requirements must be minimised while maintaining consistent performance.

Delivery and Installation

The successful delivery of the balustrade package required detailed site surveys and coordination with the wider construction programme.

SMART Balustrades worked closely with the main contractor to confirm fixing details, substrate conditions and installation sequencing before commencing works on site. The installation programme included:

Installation of aluminium base track systems for structural glass balustrades

Placement and alignment of laminated glass panels

Installation of stainless steel balustrade posts and handrails

Installation of wall-mounted handrail systems

Final alignment checks and quality inspections

All installations were completed safely and in line with the project programme.

Project Outcome

The Institute of Technology project demonstrates SMART Balustrades’ capability to deliver compliant stainless steel and structural glass balustrade systems for high-traffic education environments.
Working in collaboration with Speller Metcalfe, the completed installations provide safe circulation routes across staircases and internal voids while complementing the building’s contemporary architectural design.
Projects of this nature highlight the importance of early coordination, precise manufacturing and technically compliant installation to ensure balustrade systems perform reliably throughout the building’s lifecycle.

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