It has been an exceptional couple of weeks for the CastleForms team. Following the successful launch of its groundbreaking ICF FireBlock system at the Irish Building Control Institute Conference and the MMC Ireland National Conference, the company has now secured national recognition after picking up a trophy at the prestigious Irish Building and Design Awards.

The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony on 13 March at the five-star InterContinental Hotel in Dublin. Competing in a highly contested category against some of the construction sector’s most ground-breaking products, ICF FireBlock (Patent Pending) was crowned the winner of the Innovation in Construction Products category.

The Irish Building and Design Awards celebrate excellence, creativity and forward-thinking across Ireland’s construction and architectural industries. CastleForms success reflects the company’s commitment to developing pioneering solutions that enhance safety, sustainability and efficiency in modern construction.

A New Standard in Fire Safety

Setting a new benchmark for fire safety in Insulated Concrete Formwork, ICF FireBlock integrates high-density, A1-rated non-combustible mineral wool directly into a standard ICF Therm block.

Installed within standard ICF block courses at designated fire-stopping locations, ICF FireBlock eliminates the need for retrospectively installed fire-stopping systems. Crucially, the system remains fully visible and verifiable throughout the construction process, allowing simple walk-through inspections to confirm compliance.

This transparency provides architects, specifiers, contractors, fire consultants and building inspectors with clear assurance that fire protection measures have been installed correctly, consistently and to the highest safety standards.

Designed for Compliance and Confidence

By removing reliance on site-installed fire-stopping solutions, ICF FireBlock ensures consistent compartmentalisation while improving buildability and installation efficiency. The system supports safer construction practices and simplifies compliance with stringent fire regulations.

Combining robust protection, straightforward installation and built-in performance assurance, ICF FireBlock represents a major step forward in safety, compliance and long-term resilience for ICF construction.

Industry Recognition

Tom Maher, Director at CastleForms, said: “Winning the Innovation in Construction Products category is a tremendous honour for our entire team. It validates the dedication and creativity that went into developing ICF FireBlock – a solution designed to redefine fire safety within the Insulated Concrete Formwork construction sector.

“We are incredibly proud to see our commitment to innovation and sustainability recognised at a national level. ICF FireBlock delivers real peace of mind for design teams, certifiers and installers alike by making fire-stopping both visible and verifiable.

“We really enjoyed celebrating with other innovators in the industry who are helping to advance modern methods of construction.”

For more information about CastleForms visit: www.castleforms.com

www.irishbuildinganddesignawards.com

______________________________________________________________________________________

Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE