Fire Rated Glass Experts

FIRE PROTECTION RATINGS

Once tested the glass is given an official Fire Protection Rating.

The degree of protection offered is given in time periods, ranging upwards of 30 minutes. This period of protection is known as the Integrity Period – the length of time the glass remained in its frame and smoke when subjected to a simulated fire at a testing centre. During the testing process the glass is allowed to crack provided the glass remains in its frame and continues to act as an effective barrier to the flames and smoke.

The integrity period is usually classified by the letter E followed by the applicable period of protection. For example, a rating of E60 would mean that the glass in question had an integrity period of 60 minutes during which the glass will, if installed as per the test
evidence.

As stated above, some glass also acts as a barrier against heat (as well as flames and smoke). The is known as the Insulation Period – the length of time the glass will, on it’s non-fire side, limit the temperature to an average of no more than 140°C and in any one position by no more than 180°C. The insulation period is usually classified by the letters EI followed by the applicable period of protection for both integrity and insulation. For example, a rating of EI 60/30 would mean that the glass in question, when used as per the appropriate test evidence,
provides a 60 minute integrity period and 30 minutes insulation whereby the temperature on the non-fire side of the glass will be restricted.

Some glass may be rated by the letters EW, the W is reference to Radiated Heat which essentially means that unlike E rated glass alone it does provide a degree of heat resistance but no protection for a defined period (unlike EI rated glass). For example, glass rated E60 provides a 60 minute period of integrity with no heat resistance at all. Glass rated EW 60 still has a 60 minute period of integrity and does have some heat resistance but not sufficient for any given period and it does not restrict the temperature of the glass on its non-fire side in the same way that EI rated glass will.

Building Regulations specify where different integrity and insulation periods are required and this generally depends on the building type and how long it may take to evacuate the building, or a specific area of a building, in the event of fire. Generally speaking and from a Building Regulations point of view EW rated glass is effectively integrity only as it provides no set insulation period.

WHAT DOES INTEGRITY MEAN?
The ability of the fire rated glass to withstand fire exposure on one side for the defined period without the spread of fire from the passage of flames or hot gases. The integrity barrier helps prevent the spread of flames and hot gasses only for the defined period. It does not provide any heat resistance. Classified by the letter E; a rating of E30 means that glass in question has a 30 minute Integrity Period. This type of glass is also sometimes referred to as non-insulating.



WHAT DOES INSULATION MEAN?
The ability of the fire rated glass to withstand fire exposure on one side for the defined period without the spread of fire to the unexposed side by limiting heat transfer (in addition to the integrity barrier). Classified by the letters EI; a rating of EI 60/30 would mean that the glass in question has a 60 minute Integrity Period and a 30 minute Insulation Period.

TYPICAL FIRE RATED GLASS USAGE

Fire rated glass has many uses, comes in many different forms and is highly flexible. It comes as Polished, Wired or Laminated/Toughened. Certain fire rated glass can therefore be used where both Impact Safety Rating and fire resistance are needed.

It also comes as Single Glazed or as part of an Insulated Glass Unit. It can be used as a Vision Panel or Privacy Panel, side panel or even as a Glazed Partitions. Fire rated glass can also come with acoustic ratings (see Acoustic Glass) that can be vital for certain building projects.

We stock a comprehensive range of fire-rated glass products and to see the Features tab for more information.

FEATURES OF FIRE RATED GLASS:

• Extensively tested with systems evidence
• Wide product range
• Available with impact safety rating
• Available with acoustic rating
• Available as IGUs with internal blinds
• Certifire accredited

Listed below are our core Fire Rated Glass products, for our full product range please follow these links to our Glass Selector or
Certificates page.

NOTE: FIRE-RESISTANT GLASS MUST ONLY BE USED AS PART OF AN APPROPRIATELY APPROVED GLAZING SYSTEM.

THE BENEFITS OF FIRE RATED GLASS

The flexibility of fire rated glass and its ability to compartmentalise and restrict fire damage makes it a fundamental part of any building’s fire safety strategy. It is used for areas which are designed to provide a safe exit / access route in the event of a fire and to help prevent the spread of fire throughout a building (reducing structural damage).

Whilst fire rated glass may, at first glance, look much the same as any other type of glass this is misleading. The fact is that any glass without an official Fire Protection Rating will offer no protection against fire and will not comply with strict Building Regulations requirements. Even other specialist glass such as Safety Glass will provide little or no protection against fire. Only fire rated glass is capable of withstanding the temperatures reached during a fire and it is rigorously tested to ensure that the period of protection offered can be relied upon (provided it has been glazed in accordance with the relevant specifications and test evidence).

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR GLASS IS FIRE RATED?

below is a sample of one of our glass stamps. Where we label name and contact number of manufacturer can we change that to name and contact number of manufacturer / supplier

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ALL FIRE RATED GLASS

FIRE RATED GLASS IS PART OF A FIRE-RESISTANT STRUCTURE; IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USERS TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRE-RESISTANT ELEMENT AS A WHOLE SATISFIES THE CURRENT REGULATIONS AND TO OBTAIN THE APPROVAL FROM THE COMPETENT AUTHORITIES. FIRE GLASS UK DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY SHOULD FIRE RATED BE INSTALLED IN UNAPPROVED OR FAULTY CONSTRUCTION. THE APPEARANCE/VISUAL QUALITY OF THE FIRE RATED GLASS SUPPLIED/FITTED BY FIRE GLASS UK IS SCRUTINISED USING THE GGF GLAZING MANUAL, SECTIONS 4 (4.11) & 5 (5.16.1). FIRE RATED GLASS MUST ONLY BE USED AS PART OF AN APPROPRIATELY APPROVED GLAZED SYSTEM COMPLYING WITH THE APPLICABLE CERTIFIRE CERTIFICATE AND INSTALLED UNDER FIRAS INSTALLATION GUIDELINES.

GENERAL

• Fire Rated Glass Thickness Tolerance +/- 1mm (7mm), +/-2mm 10mm to 25mm
• Avoid all glass to metal/wooden contact
• Do not exercise any restraint on glass
• Do not damage the glazed edges nor the protection tape
• Use hardwood setting blocks or equivalent
• Provide an edge clearance of 4–5mm
• Provide a lateral clearance of 4–5mm
• Provide a rebate depth of minimum 20mm
• Keep the rebates dry and free from aggressive products (acids, organic solvents)
• Do not allow any contact of the glazed edges with water > Apply a neutral silicone join or dry gasket immediately after glazing
• Use an external grade structure with a UV filter, correctly orientated (External Glazing)
• Use a drained and ventilated frame (External Glazing)

TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND HANDLING

• Store in a dry, sheltered and ventilated place, not exposed to solar radiation
• Fire Rated Glass is designed to be used within the temperature range from -20o to +40o
• Soft spaces shall be placed between each unit
• Not more than 20 units per stack
• Never allow water to come into contact with the glass at any time
• GLASS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED OVER ITS FULL HEIGHT AND WIDTH AND NEVER STORED AGAINST ANY SURFACES SUCH AS WALLS, AS THIS WILL BOW THE GLASS.
• The back should be slightly inclined (6o to 10o from vertical) with the feet being at 90o to the back of the rack.