How PepsiCo India Upgrades Office Fire Safety With Vetrotech
At a Glance
At a Glance
PepsiCo Offices
Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, India
VDS® fire-resistant partitions and VDS® fire-resistant glazed sliding doors
PepsiCo India's Gurugram office is a perfect example of how modern workplaces can balance style, safety, and functionality. Spanning three floors and covering 70,000 square feet, this office was designed to make employees excited about returning to work while keeping their safety as the top priority.
The space features an open floor plan with personal cabins, meeting areas, and unique amenities like bicycle desks and treadmill stations. The office also includes wellness facilities such as yoga pods, meditation rooms, and even a nursery. However, behind all these modern features lies a crucial safety upgrade that often goes unnoticed - advanced fire resistant glass doors and partitions that protect employees in one of the most dangerous areas of any high-rise building.
Which Areas Need Special Fire Protection
In tall buildings, lift shafts can become dangerous pathways for fire and smoke to spread quickly from floor to floor. This is why office fire safety regulations, particularly the National Building Code (NBC 2016), require special protection for lift lobby areas.
The code specifically demands that lift lobbies must have fire doors with at least 120 minutes of fire resistance, especially in air-conditioned spaces like PepsiCo's modern office.
Without proper barriers, a fire that starts on one floor can spread to other floors in just seconds through the lift shaft. This creates a life-threatening situation for employees and can cause massive damage to the entire building.
That's why PepsiCo invested in advanced VDS® fire-resistant partitions and VDS® fire-resistant glazed sliding doors to create safe barriers that don't compromise the office's open and welcoming design.
Vetrotech's Advanced Fire Safety Solutions
To meet these strict safety requirements while maintaining the office's modern look, PepsiCo chose two specialised systems from Vetrotech that combine safety with transparency and style.
VDS® Fire Resistant Glazed Sliding Doors
The first solution involves VDS® fire-resistant glazed sliding doors that provide exceptional protection while maintaining easy access. These doors offer 120 minutes of fire integrity protection and 30 minutes of insulation, which means they can withstand extreme heat and prevent fire from spreading for extended periods.
What makes these doors special is their fully automatic operation. Employees don't need to touch anything - the doors slide open smoothly, promoting hygiene and convenience. The doors are made with EPD-certified materials, which means they meet strict environmental standards while providing top-level safety. Each door system has been tested at Thomas Bell-Wright, a globally recognised testing facility, ensuring they meet international fire safety standards.
The steel frames are designed to match the office's interior design, proving that office fire safety equipment doesn't have to look industrial or out of place. These fire resistant glass doors blend seamlessly with PepsiCo's modern aesthetic while providing life-saving protection.
VDS® Fire-Rated Glazed Partitions
The second component involves VDS® Fire Rated Fixed Partitions that offer 120 minutes of fire resistance. These partitions maintain the open-office feel that's so important to PepsiCo's collaborative work environment while creating effective fire barriers.
The steel-framed partitions have been laboratory-tested to ensure they perform under extreme conditions. They allow natural light to flow through the space and maintain visibility across different areas of the office, which helps preserve the open, connected feeling that modern employees value. These partitions prove that office fire safety solutions can enhance rather than detract from workplace design.
Meeting Global Safety Standards
PepsiCo's investment in these fire rated sliding glass doors and partition systems aligns with both local and international safety standards. The NBC 2016 requirements for lift lobby protection are just the starting point - these systems exceed those standards by incorporating Swiss engineering precision and UKAS accreditation.
The use of EPD-certified glass also supports PepsiCo's environmental goals, contributing to green building certifications while maintaining the highest safety standards. This shows that companies don't have to choose between sustainability and safety - they can have both with the right fire resistant glass doors.
Seamless Integration with Modern Design
One of the most impressive aspects of this project is how the safety systems enhance rather than interrupt the office design. The automatic sliding doors maintain the vibrant, modern feel of the space while eliminating the need for manual operation. This improves both convenience and hygiene, important considerations in today's workplace environment.
The fixed partitions preserve the open-plan clarity that's essential for collaboration and communication while providing invisible protection. Employees can work in a space that feels open and connected, knowing they're protected by advanced office fire safety systems that work silently in the background.
Business Continuity and Long-Term Benefits
Beyond immediate safety benefits, PepsiCo's investment in fire rated sliding glass doors and partitions supports business continuity. By compartmentalising lift lobbies and creating effective fire barriers, the company significantly reduces the risk of fire spreading throughout the building. This means fewer potential disruptions to operations and faster recovery if an emergency does occur, crucial factors for a global company that operates around the clock.
Setting New Standards for Office Fire Safety
PepsiCo's Gurugram office demonstrates that modern office fire safety doesn't require compromising on aesthetics, sustainability, or functionality. The integration of Vetrotech's fire resistant glass doors and partition systems proves that companies can create workspaces that are stylish, secure, and sustainable all at once.
As urban buildings continue to evolve, projects like this set the standard for how fire rated sliding glass doors and other advanced safety systems can be seamlessly integrated into modern office design. The result is a workplace that protects employees while supporting their well-being, productivity, and environmental values.
