For more than a century, laminated glass is the most well-known fireproof glass. "Wired glass" was originally flat glass with a wire mesh placed under or around it. With the progress of the industrial revolution, flat glass embedded with wire mesh was developed. By 1894, many building codes, including Pennsylvania, required the product to be used.
However, the appearance of the mechanism is not as attractive as clear glass. Glass manufacturers continue to seek fire-resistant glass products that meet functional and aesthetic goals. Today's fireproof glass has transparency, safety, aesthetics and many design features.
For a long time, laminated glass has been an acceptable fireproof material, although it does not meet the International Building Code (IBC) impact safety requirements for doors, venues, and other hazardous locations. This belief believes that fire protection is more important than impact protection in terms of safety. However, over time, injuries created a demand for fire-resistant and impact-resistant glass products as standards. In 2006, IBC banned the use of non-safety fire-resistant glass in doors and side windows of education departments; in 2009, this work has covered all departments.
The earliest wireless fireproof glass on the market c. 2000. Although transparent, the product was damaged due to the heavy frame and obstructed view. In response, manufacturers developed rolled steel frames to make today's fire-resistant frame systems narrower, with no visible welds, fasteners or hardware. Recent advances have also allowed the use of insulating materials to construct the frame. With the concept of isolation, the frame can even obtain a fire resistance rating. Innovative glass products and frames are just the beginning.
Advances have brought larger and clearer lites and stronger frames, providing architects with more creative freedom. There are many fire-resistant glass products and systems on the market, and choices include all-glass doors, wall and floor components. More complex modern glass is larger, clearer, and versatile, with bulletproof, impact-safe, and weather-resistant options. Designers also have modern options to maintain the fire rating for up to 120 minutes and pass ASTM E119 and UL263 solid wall tests.
Fireproof glass separates and prevents the spread of fire and smoke by withstanding extreme heat without leaving the opening. Fire-resistant glass belongs to fire-resistant glass, including glass tape, glass compound, frame, etc. Under this umbrella, the grades of fire-resistant and fire-resistant products can range from 20 minutes to 3 hours. In the US market, current fire protection products can only reach a two-hour rating. Fire, heat transfer and smoke pose a huge threat to building occupants, which is why it is important to choose suitable fire protection products.
Fire prevention means that the glass prevents the spread of smoke and flames within a specified rated time. Traditional wired glass, glass ceramics and special tempered glass are examples of fire-resistant products. McGrory Glass’s SCHOTT PYRAN® Platinum is an example of fire-resistant glass ceramics manufactured using a proprietary process that does not require surface polishing to produce a float-like finish. It is manufactured without harmful heavy metals and is usually used as a refining agent in other fire-resistant glass ceramic products, which is an important environmental consideration.
Fire protection means that glass provides protection from flames and smoke, while preventing the transfer of radiation and conduction heat. The completely transparent fireproof glass product consists of multiple layers of glass, which contains an expanded interlayer or a sensitive polymer gel filled insulating glass unit (IGU). McGrory Glass’s AGC Pyrobel® is an example of Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM silver fire protection product.
Although both types of glass can block smoke and flames, the non-fire side of the fire-resistant glass will still become dangerous due to radiant heat transfer, while the fire-resistant glass will remain cool. For example, if you use fire-resistant glass in an evacuation route, the inner tunnel may become as hot as the surrounding flames.
On the contrary, fire-resistant glass is more meaningful for exit corridors. In evacuation routes, fire-resistant glass is most commonly used for small windows in stairwells or doors. The rated time for fire protection applications is usually 45 minutes or less, including less than 25% of the wall area. In contrast, refractory applications are usually rated for 60-120 minutes or more, and allow widening of wall openings.
The fireproof components can be interchanged with fireproof components that meet the performance standards to complete the opening, and the fireproof components must be tested and marked as a single unit. This means that using ASTM E119 frame and ASTM E119 glass to fit the opening with glass may not be a valid rated opening unless the glass and frame have been tested together.
Each fire protection component must meet the building safety code standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Protection Code (IFC). The fire rating of the door is determined by the fire rating of the surrounding walls specified in its building code. Fire doors must be self-locking, which means that each door must have a movable latch, which will automatically lock when the door is closed. In the event of a fire, a properly locked door will withstand the pressure of the fire and control the flame to prevent the spread of smoke, flame or gas.
Each product is marked with its fire rating (20/45/60/90/180 minutes). The temperature rise of the door-30 minutes before the calculation-can be measured at 250, 450 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature rise of the refractory insulation during the test is limited to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The fire rating of the component defaults to the lowest-rated component. For example, if a 60-minute rated door includes 45-minute rated glass, the door assembly is rated for 45 minutes. For more information, please see IBC Chapter 7: Fire and Smoke Prevention.
Fire-resistant glass can be combined with other products to meet performance and aesthetic standards. For example, the use of insulating fireproof glass with fireproof partitions can provide almost unlimited possibilities. Low emission, decorative interlayer, acid etching, patterning, safety interlayer, one-way mirror and other glass can be incorporated into the fire protection system. Safety performance glass, such as anti-attack and bulletproof glass, can also be used in fire protection systems. As the only supplier with both manufacturing facilities and in-house printing department, McGrory Glass can provide all these manufacturing processes under one roof.
Designing safety facilities—from schools to hospitals to criminal justice centers—is to first choose the right combination of fireproof glass and safety glass to prevent fires and smoke, attacks, and weather-related disasters. When combined with fire-resistant glass, architects can confidently balance form and function.
An in-depth understanding of functional and aesthetic requirements ensures that the fire protection system makes the most sense. Remember, fire-resistant glass systems can not only protect people and objects in buildings from fire, smoke, and heat. Consider its ability to visually match other glass, allow natural light to enter, slow forced entry, or resist weather events. Keep in mind that modifications to existing frames may limit options due to thickness tolerances. Ask important questions in advance:
Work with your glass manufacturer early in the process
Early conversations can lead to strategic decisions and help get the right product for your schedule and budget. McGrory's strategic consultants will review the project goals, including budget, aesthetic vision and performance requirements. They can provide fire-rated product recommendations and provide creative problem solutions. Consider these questions:
Technical Glass Products (TGP) also provides fireproof glass and frames for the commercial market. TGP's "Glazier's Guide for Fire-Resistant Glass Components" provides best practices for specification and installation, stating that "glaziers—not just architects and material suppliers—need to fully understand these requirements." The article mentioned. A key point reminds the glassmaker to consider hardware compatibility with the specified system.
According to AGI member glass contractor Stephen Gilchrist (owner of GMI Contractors), “The hardware of the door should be specified and provided by the manufacturer. The GC, architect, and owner sometimes specify the wrong hardware.” GMI has The fire-resistant glass and glazing system were successfully installed, and few other installation problems were reported.
Special applications built to achieve maximum daylighting and visibility, such as McGrory Glass’s AGC Pyrobel® 120 Vision Line, which uses butt glass and requires direct but strict installation to meet the strict fire protection standards and weather conditions of third-party certification bodies (such as UL). Cheung.
LU252 glazier Tureka Dixon added that the fireproof glass she installed was “heavy and requires extra manpower” to lift and move it. As mentioned earlier, the project team should discuss installation requirements in advance.
Case Study: Affecting Patient Outcomes Lurie Children's Hospital | Chicago, Illinois
Research shows that hospital design has a huge impact on patient pressure, patient and employee safety, employee efficiency, and quality of care. In order to meet patients' expectations for a more warm and people-oriented environment, Lurie Children's Hospital hopes to install large, quiet family ward windows that can see the corridors with plenty of people.
"These openings in the corridor are both unique challenges and opportunities for our team," said Richard Whitcombe, head of McGrawley's fire department. "This wall separates the corridor from the family room and has a specific required fire resistance rating. However, according to the current healthcare building initiatives, the designer hopes to promote the flow of natural light, sight lines and colorful brand cohesion throughout the space."
The new eye-catching glass partitions include a custom gradation of the health care organization brand blue produced by McGrory's in-house printing department, while still maintaining the fire resistance rating.
BNP Media is a publisher of architectural records, building envelopes, walls and ceilings, and other industry magazines. It also provides on-demand webinars for design professionals, including "Fireproof Glass Design" sponsored by SAFTI FIRST Fireproof Glass Solutions and "In Fireproof Glass" and "Understanding How Glass Affects Safety and Fire Prevention" are sponsored by the National Glass Association.
About the excellent history of wired glass and its historical preservation: Wired glass: a history of technology and development | Columbia University History Preservation Master's Thesis (May 2013)
More information about the history, uses and types of fire-resistant glass:
McGrory Glass is one of the largest independent architectural and decorative glass companies in the United States, providing SCHOTT PYRAN® Platinum fire-resistant glass and AGC Pyrobel® fire-resistant glass. As a single-source solution provider, McGrory combines innovative systems and comprehensive decoration capabilities with high-quality performance products. McGrory Glass has a dedicated team of fire protection experts who have decades of experience in fire protection glass and frame systems, ready to help you navigate the complex world of life safety glass choices. For information, please contact:
Richard Whitcomb | Fire Division Lead 856-579-3271 | rw@mcgrory.com Helena A. Mutak | Marketing Director 856-579-3292 Direct dial | hmutak@mcgrory.com
McGrory provides a series of virtual lunches and learning demonstrations, each of which is worth 1 AIA HSW learning unit, including:
Learn more about McGrory's complete range of fire-rated glass here: https://mcgrory.com/glass/fire-rated-glass/
All images and graphics used in this article © McGrory Glass 2020.
The AGI Education Series illustrates and describes common glass challenges as a means of communicating best practices in the design and construction industry, rather than as the sole source of design guidance. AGI recommends that design professionals consult with AGI contractors on specific project challenges. AGI contractor profiles can be accessed at www.theagi.org. To share the details of your own evil, please contact Stephanie Staub at stephanie@theagi.org.
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