The multi-award winning Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney has benefited from over 150m2 of Duplex Oak boarding treated with Arch's fire retardant Dricon as part of a two year, £4.5 million Lottery funded redevelopment.

Established in 1979 to provide a home for an important collection of British fine art, the Centre re-opened in July 2007. It is housed in a complex of buildings that sit on one of the many piers characterising the historic town of Stromness, and provides  a key landmark on the harbour.

The original listed buildings and pier, which once housed the office and stores of the Hudson’s Bay Company, have been sympathetically extended by Reiach & Hall Architects. Their design at the harbour edge has secured the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland’s Andrew Doolan Award for the Best Building in Scotland 2007, and a nomination for The Art Fund Prize 2008.

The Duplex Oak boarding has been treated with Dricon as it remains the only BBA Certified fire retardant and conforms to the specified building regulations. The treated timber is used in three areas throughout the Centre – the stairwell wall linings and upper balustrade section, the ground floor main entrance wall and ceiling linings and the ground floor concealed cupboard doors.

Richard Adams, fire retardants manager for Arch, said: “It is very satisfying to be associated with such a memorable and worthwhile project. The use of Dricon proves the performance credentials of Arch fire retardant treatments through their use in this delicate environment, while the aesthetics of treated Oak captures perfectly the natural and traditional atmosphere of the Centre.

“The specification of fire retardant treated timber, particularly for the staircase, is testament to its trusted performance in a fire situation. This is the main route linking the upper and ground floors, and the safety of the thousands of visitors passing through the Centre every year is obviously paramount. I am delighted both with the trust in Arch treatments for this end use, and also the finished result," he added.

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