Glazed fire doors, balustrades and screens for Waltham Forest College pool renovation

Product: Design, plan, and install glass fire doors, balustrades and screens.

Application: Waltham Forest College pool renovation.

Client: IMS Building Solutions 

Glasstec Systems designed and installed architectural glazing structures for the repurposing of a derelict swimming pool and associated spaces across two floors at Waltham Forest College.

The project

Glasstec Systems was commissioned by main contractor IMS Building Solutions to design, plan and install glass fire doors, balustrades and screens for Waltham Forest College’s swimming pool refurbishment. We have been appointed by IMS Building Solutions many times before, so were delighted to be working with them again.

On this project we also had the pleasure of collaborating with North London architect, Max Dewdney.

While striving to meet the government’s 2030 net zero target, Waltham Forest College wanted to transform the 1930s derelict swimming pool into teaching and learning zones to support college growth and tackle issues around the age of the estate.

By repurposing the swimming pool as a flexible teaching and learning space, the refurbishment project would address critical areas for reducing carbon emissions. Those included enhanced insulation and glazing, maximising natural light, reducing energy consumption, and the installation of renewable energy sources.

The brief

• Glasstec Systems was required to design and install glass balustrading above a new stage as part of a dedicated performance area in the deeper section of the former pool
• Sliding glass doors were to be installed underneath and to the rear of the stage
• New access controlled glass doors were required throughout the space
• Glazed screens were installed for partitioning and to facilitate the flow of natural light
• The existing glazing was to be replaced with high performance glazing which would provide enhanced thermal comfort to generate energy cost savings and reduced carbon footprint.

Glasstec Systems’ design solution

Glasstec Systems provided a dedicated team to oversee the project. Due to the size of the space, its derelict condition, the health and safety issues presented by the different depths of the former pool, and the time critical nature of the project due to funding criteria, we made many site visits to put the client at ease.

At the design stage we provided product samples so that the client could envisage the glazed structures we would be installing to fully understand their benefits, prior to manufacture and installation.

Using high performance glazing for optimised thermal comfort, we designed bespoke glazed doors and screens as follows:

• Black steel, single slimline, access controlled, glazed fire doors and screens (with sidelights)
• White steel, slimline telescopic bi-parting sliding double doors with fixed sidelights to create a room underneath the stage, separate from the wider space.

Two types of internal frameless glazed balustrades were chosen for this project:

• Approximately 19 linear metres, 1100mm high C-shaped glazed balustrades, side fixed into the existing steelwork
• Approximately 3640mm wide, 1200mm high glazed balustrades, base fixed into the existing steelwork

Both types of glazed balustrades were designed to the following specification:

• • Single-glazed with 25.5mm low iron toughened and laminated glass
  • Polished with Sentry Guard Interlayer
  • EazyPro 3kN aluminium U-channels – dry glazed and gasket sealed

To facilitate the installation of the glazed balustrades above the stage we designed bespoke channels and bracketry.

The project began in December 2024 and was completed by March 2025.

Challenges of the installation

We were under pressure to work to tight deadlines so that the college could receive the allocated funding. This became challenging due to architectural design changes, working around other contractors, and liaising with the client’s metalworkers and joinery teams to co-ordinate the glazing installations.

To overcome these challenges we conducted many site visits, and attended or hosted design meetings and team meetings. We liaised with suppliers and manufacturers to find the correct solutions within the agreed timescales.

Project outcomes

One of the most rewarding project outcomes was the teamwork between ourselves and other contractors to ensure the project was delivered on time to the client’s requirements.

We were able to achieve the colours, finishes, fire ratings and other elements of our glazing designs so that the client could hand over the finished work to the client as expected.

Why work with Glasstec Systems?

Glasstec Systems is a team of structural glass specialists with hands-on experience of collaborating on a wide range of multi-contractor renovations and new build projects to ensure completion within agreed timescales and specifications.

We are focused on finding solutions to challenges to meet the client brief.

Do you need structural glazing for an upcoming residential or commercial project? Get in touch with Glasstec Systems to find out how we can work together.