250 St Vincent Street

Client: Union Property Development
Location: Vincent Street Glasgow
M&E Contractor: EMTEC Building Services Ltd

BSB Engineering supplied a complete fire and smoke damper package for the redevelopment of 250 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.

This Category B-listed building is being transformed into approximately 140 room purpose-built student accommodation ready for the 2026/2027 academic year, is led by Union Property Development, with Clark Contracts Ltd acting as principal contractor and Emtec Building Services as the mechanical contractor and BSB’s client.

Originally designed by James Thomson and completed in 1882, the building began life as Maclean’s Hotel before later becoming known as the Windsor Hotel. It holds historic significance within Glasgow, including its association with the formation of the Glasgow Society of Musicians. Having remained vacant since 2017, the redevelopment required a careful balance between preserving the character of the existing structure and introducing modern building services.

The Challenge

Delivering a compliant fire safety solution within a historic building brought a number of challenges. Existing structural constraints and restricted service zones required careful coordination to ensure dampers could be installed effectively. At the same time, the system needed to support long-term inspection, testing and maintenance, while integrating into a centralised control strategy suitable for a multi-occupancy residential building.

The Solution

BSB Engineering supplied a tailored package of FSD-C and FSD-TD Series fire and smoke dampers, complete with installation and angle frames to suit the building layout and installation conditions.

In total, 461 motorised dampers were provided, each fitted with a 230V spring return actuator to ensure reliable fail-safe operation. These were integrated into an addressable system using a combination of double and single damper modules, all managed via an ACP500 control panel.

This approach enabled centralised monitoring and control of the system, along with integration to the fire alarm and building management system via MODBUS and BACnet.

Installation was carried out across multiple levels, from basement through to fifth floor, with a wide range of damper sizes and configurations used to suit the varying ductwork and spatial constraints throughout the building.

Deliveries were coordinated through phased call-offs to align with the construction programme, ensuring that equipment arrived on site in line with installation progress and available working areas.

BSB Engineering supported the project through commissioning, including the setup of the ACP500 control system and integration of all 461 dampers into the network. This ensured the system was fully operational, compliant and ready for handover.

The Result

The completed installation delivers a fully integrated fire and smoke damper system that meets modern fire safety requirements while working within the constraints of a historic building. Centralised monitoring and control support ongoing inspection and maintenance, providing a robust, future-proof solution aligned with the building’s new use.

Want to work with us?

Whether you’re delivering a complex city-centre development or coordinating a multi-zone fire strategy, BSB Engineering can support your project from specification through to commissioning.

Get in touch with our technical team to discuss your next scheme.