The Critical Importance of Fire Rated Glass in Building Design
What is Fire Rated Glass?
Fire-rated glass, also known as fire-resistant safety glass, provides a protective barrier against smoke and flames in the event of a fire. The level of protection offered varies depending on the specific type of glass used. All fire-rated glass is designed to prevent the spread of flames and smoke throughout buildings during a fire.
Unlike standard safety glass, which shares some high-strength properties, fire-rated glass undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it can withstand the extreme temperatures encountered during a fire, providing effective protection for a specified duration.
Designers and architects are increasingly incorporating fire-rated glass into their building designs. This choice allows them to maximise natural light and create open, connected interiors while ensuring the safety and well-being of occupants.
Independent companies conduct fire resistance tests, and the official fire protection rating is based on strict parameters, including the size, frame, and installation materials used. It is essential to ensure that the intended installation adheres to these parameters; otherwise, the fire protection rating will be invalid.
The level of protection is specified in time periods, starting at 30 minutes. This time period is called the “integrity period,” which indicates how long the glass will remain secured in its frame while effectively blocking smoke and flames from spreading. The integrity period is classified using the letter “E,” followed by the duration of protection offered—for example, E60 indicates 60 minutes of integrity.
Certain types of fire-rated glass provide heat insulation, acting as a barrier against the heat produced by a fire. This capability is measured during the “insulation period,” which indicates how long the glass can maintain the temperature on the non-fire side to an average of no more than 140°C, or up to 180°C at any single point. This is denoted by the letter “I” and follows the integrity period, with increments of 30 minutes indicating the level of insulation. For example, “EI 60/30” means the glass has 60 minutes of integrity and 30 minutes of insulation.
Additionally, some glass may be rated “EW,” which signifies a certain level of heat resistance but does not specify a measurable time period, unlike EI-rated glass.
Key areas requiring the use of fire-rated glass
Fire Escapes
Building regulations outline strict guidelines for the required protection periods for each element of a building’s escape route. Any modifications to the structure or layout must take updated requirements into account. For instance, if a balcony or flat roof is included in the escape route, the entire route—including its structure and any openings within 3 meters—must provide 30 minutes of fire resistance. Additionally, access to exit stairways, as well as the stairways themselves, must be protected from fire using fire-rated glass doors and frames, along with fire-rated glass walls. This protection is particularly crucial for projects such as loft conversions, where access is often unprotected initially.
Prevent fire spread in the lining
The materials used for a building’s internal lining can greatly influence fire growth. They affect both the fire’s ability to spread across their surfaces and the amount of heat released during combustion. Fire-rated glass panels with an EI rating serve as a crucial barrier, helping to prevent damage and injury when a fire spreads through a structure.
Stop fire spreading to the structure
Fire-rated glass should be used as part of a comprehensive system to confine a fire to the room where it starts, preventing it from spreading to other rooms or the overall building structure for as long as possible. Fire-rated glass partitions can effectively slow the spread of fire without creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. Merely using tempered glass with a sprinkler system is inadequate, as tempered glass can shatter when exposed to water in high-temperature environments. Building regulations vary for residential and commercial buildings, but the highest requirement for fire resistance is 120 minutes of integrity and insulation.
Resist external fire spread
External walls and roofs of commercial buildings are legally required to resist the spread of flames across their surfaces to prevent fire from spreading from one building to another. Unlike traditional building materials, fire-rated glass walls are non-combustible, providing enhanced protection against fire propagation. Additionally, fire-rated glass windows play a crucial role in containing fires and preventing them from escaping or entering a property. Any windows in an external wall may be considered unprotected if they do not use appropriate fire-rated glass.
Summary
Fire-resistant safety glass is an essential component of modern building design. It enhances health and safety while also providing benefits such as increased light, openness, and visibility, all of which contribute to people’s well-being. Additionally, we know that natural daylight is important for our mental and overall health.