Fire Rated Glass
Fire rated glass stops the spread of fire throughout a building and helps protect essential exit routes to keep them fire-free for evacuation.
The level of fire rating that is needed from fire rated glass will be determined by external governing bodies and will depend on many aspects of the building from its primary use to its size.
Fire ratings for glass are denoted by numbers which signify the amount of time the glass will maintain its integrity under fire (remain standing as an effective barrier of smoke and toxic gases) and the amount of time the glass will insulate the protected space from the fire (how long the glass can stop radiant heat from the fire from passing into neighbouring areas.) Most modern fire rated installations require some element of insulation as well as integrity.
These insulating and integrity timings can be 30/60/90/120 minutes.
Fire rated glass is constructed from toughened glass so is automatically a safety glass. The toughened glass panels are layered with specialised transparent intumescent interlayers. The thickness and number of layers increase as the fire rating of the glass increases.
When exposed to fire, these intumescent seals expand like foam to create the fire retardant barrier within the glass units. In higher fire rated systems such as glass units with 120 minute insulation values, these intumescent interlayers also turn translucent to assist in the insulation of fire radiation. This stops the view of the fire through the glass units to reduce panic during escape.
Fire Rated Glass Applications
Fire rated glass can be used in numerous frameless structural applications such as fire rated glass floors and walls but can also be integrated into fire rated framing systems to allow for opening windows and doors.
Where a fire rated installation is required the glass is just one part of the whole system which includes the frame, fixings and installation methods. Ensure all areas of your fire rated installation are fully tested. Speak to the team at London Architectural Glass for more information.
Technical information
Transparent glass panels that effectively protect in the event of a fire
30/60/90/120 minute fire rated glass available
Maximum sizes
Please contact us to discuss