APPROVED DOCUMENTS
Published documents from the Department for Communities and Local Government that sets out guidance on how to meet the various requirements within Building Regulations; including those relating to fire safety, resistance to sound, protection from impact with glazing and the conservation of fuel and power. See www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents
ATTESTATION LEVEL 1
A declaration of performance required by those who manufacture glass and IGUs (link to IGUs) to confirm compliance with the relevant standards and that all manufactured products will carry the relevant CE Mark (link to CE Mark). The declaration of performance relates to the essential characteristics of the manufactured or processed product and includes a declaration in relation to factory production control and the testing of sample products. The accreditation of Attestation Level 1 confirms consistency of the product’s performance, initial inspection of the manufacturing facility and factory production control and continuous assessment and evaluation of factory production control.
CE MARKING
This demonstrates that a product complies with the relevant harmonised European standards (EN) relating to the type of product in question. All the products supplied and manufactured by Fire Glass UK Limited carry the required CE Mark as a declaration of performance and compliance with those relevant standards. Fire Glass UK Limited is accredited to Attestation Level 1 in terms of manufacturing glass and IGUs.
CERTIFICATION
Third party evidence of a product or material’s performance in relation to its level of fire resistance following a Fire Resistance Test. From a glass point of view, the evidence should include information relating to the integrity performance of the glass as well as any insulation, the size of the glass tested and the Fire Resistant Glazing System used – for more information see Test evidence.
CERTIFIRE
An independent third party certification scheme that assures performance, quality, reliability and traceability of fire protection products. Recognised by regulatory authorities worldwide, it is an internationally respected mark of fire safety and one of the most authoritative in the industry.
CRITICAL LOCATIONS
Specific areas where Safety Glass must be used to comply with Building Regulations in terms of protection from impact glazing – used to limit the risk of injury from glass and also useful for areas with a high risk of accidental damage or where there is an increased risk of vandalism. For further information see: Where to use safety glass.
DOORSET
A pre-assembled set of all the manufactured parts which a door usually consists of ready for installation; including the door, door frame, door lining, latches, locks etc. We supply Fire Rated Glass for all doorsets – timber or steel.
DOUBLE GLAZED UNIT
An individual sealed unit made up of multiple panes of glass which are separated and have an air vacuum or gas filled gap between them; usually made up of two (double glazed) or three (triple glazed) panes. Energy efficient and insulate against both heat and noise – the sealed air vacuum or gas filled gap between each pane acts as an added layer of insulation. Also known as Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) and can be made up of specialist glass such as laminated, acoustic or fire resistant. For more information and to see our product range click here: DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS
ENERGY EFFICIENT GLASS
Specially coated glass that gives greater protection against heat or cold (or both). Glass can be thermally insulated and/or have a conductive coating to increase solar activity. The thermal insulation helps prevent heat escaping and the conductive coating helps capture warmth from natural daylight. One example is Low-E Glass (a low emissivity glass which has an invisible coating on one of the internal panels which lets light and heat in but reduces the amount of heat that can get out).
Energy Efficient Glass can be used alongside IGUs to comply with Building Regulations requirements regarding the conservation of fuel and power. For more information see: www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-of-fuel-and-power-approved-document-l
FIRAS
An independent third party certification scheme relating to the installation and maintenance standards of fire protection products and systems. Accreditation demonstrates competency in the installation of such products and systems.
FIRE DOOR
A fire-resistant door used to compartmentalise and prevent the spread of fire in accordance with Building Regulations requirements for fire safety. Can act as a barrier (when closed) or provide a safe exit/means of escape in the event of a fire. We supply Fire Rated Glass for Fire Doors, for example where there is a requirement for a Vision Panel.
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FIRE PROTECTION RATING
Also known as a Fire Resistance Rating – a rating that evidences how a product or material (fire protection system) performs during a standard Fire Resistance Test. Often stated as a period of time, it indicates how long the product in question maintained it’s specific functions (withstood the simulated fire) during the standard testing process.
FIRE RATED GLASS
Also known as Fire Resistant Glass – glass that has been proven (during a Fire Resistance Test) to provide a defined period of protection against fire. The specialist glass acts as a barrier to help prevent the spread of flames, smoke and heat in the event of fire. The glass is tested on its Integrity and Insulation and must be used as specified within the Building Regulations on fire safety. For more information on the Building Regulations requirements see: www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safetyapproved-document-b
For more information about Fire Rated Glass and to see our product range click here: FIRE RATED GLASS
FIRE RESISTANT GLASS
Also known as Fire Rated Glass (see above).
FIRE RESISTANT GLAZING SYSTEM
A system of glazing that is proven to work with the relevant Fire Rated Glass and has been tested to provide a defined period of protection against fire during a Fire Resistance Test. The system includes the glass, the frame and all fixings, seals and beads – Fire Rated Glass must only be used with the compatible components as tested during the Fire Resistance Test. These will be detailed within the relevant Test Evidence.
FIRE RESISTANCE TEST
Testing to establish the resistance of a product or material to fire exposure in line with British and European standards (Fire Test Standards). Testing demonstrates the ability of the product or material to withstand exposure to a simulated fire in terms of temperature, time and pressure whilst maintaining its specific function. From a glass point of view, the glass and framing are installed into a test furnace and the temperature on the front of the glass is measured giving an Integrity Period based on the length of time the glass remains within its frame. Click on the following link to see a video of our most recent fire test: WATCH HERE
FIRE TEST STANDARDS
Tests on a product or material used for building construction must be carried out in accordance with the various British and European standards. The main British Standard is currently the BS 476 series with the European Standard including BS EN 1363, 1364 and 1365 together with BS EN 1634.
FLOAT GLASS
Sheet glass that gets its name from the floating molten glass used to create it. Available in various thicknesses and cut-sizes; the sheet is initially created from hot molten glass being poured onto a bed of molten tin. The glass ‘floats’ on the surface and, as it cools, the molten glass spreads out to create a flat, smooth sheet with uniform thickness.
GLASS AND GLAZING FEDERATION (GGF)
An organisation whose members sign up to a consumer code which aims to ensure excellent customer service.
GLASS SELECTOR
An interactive tool designed to help determine what type of glass
Fire Rated Glass is needed for any individual project – see our Glass Selector.
GLAZED PARTITION
A glass partition wall or divider that can be used to separate a room or partition off areas – for example within open space office / school environments. Glass partitions can be made from all types of specialist glass, including safety, fire rated, acoustic etc. They can also be made with different Manifestations of Glazing, using frosted glass, patterned glass or with company logos etc. For some examples see: GALLERY.
HERITAGE UNITS
Thin Double Glazed Units / IGUs which have been especially designed for use where standard-sized units would not be suitable / would not fit. Heritage Units can be used to replace a single-glazed pane of glass within its original frame/setting – an important issue when dealing with conservation and historical properties. Whilst not as energy efficient as a standard-sized unit, a Heritage Unit will still provide a significant improvement in terms of energy efficiency and noise insulation when compared to a single-glazed pane; it can also be used with specialist Energy Efficient Glass to improve its effectiveness. For more information and to see our product range click here: HERITAGE UNITS.
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IGUs
Insulated Glass Unit – an individual sealed unit made up of multiple panes of glass which are separated and have an air vacuum or gas filled gap between them; usually made up of two (double glazed) or three (triple glazed) panes. Energy efficient and insulate against both heat and noise – the sealed air vacuum or gas filled gap between each pane acts as an added layer of insulation. Also known as Double Glazed or Triple Glazed Units and can be made up of specialist glass such as laminated, acoustic or fire resistant. For more information and to see our product range click here: DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS
IMPACT SAFETY RATING
The classification given to glass under the relevant British and European standards (see Safety Glass Standards) with regard to its ability to withstand impact and the point at which the glass will ‘break safely”. During testing a weight is dropped from three heights onto a standard sized pane of glass – the glass is then classified at the point at which it breaks. The classifications are based on the drop heights: 190mm (3B3 (also known as Class C)), 450mm (2B2 (also known as Class B)) and 1200mm (1B1 (also known as Class A)) - the last being the highest classification of impact rating.
INTEGRITY PERIOD
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 as a 30 minute Integrity Period. This type of glass is also sometimes referred to as non-insulating.
INSULATION PERIOD
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.
LAMINATED GLASS
A type of safety glass that holds together upon impact. No stronger than ordinary glass but it will remain intact on impact as a result of its bonded interlayer (generally made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)) that prevents the glass from breaking into large pieces. It can therefore withstand repeated blows from heavy objects and remain as a barrier to entry even if the glass has been broken.
MANIFESTATION OF GLASS
Markings on the glass that make large uninterrupted areas of transparent glass more visible in order to comply with Building Regulations requirements. These can take the form of company logos or broken or unbroken lines of pattern depending on aesthetic needs. For more information see: www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-from-falling-collision-and-impact-approved-document-k
MIRRORED GLASS
Glass with a metal reflective coating applied to one side (usually made of silver, aluminium, gold or chrome) that is then sealed with a protective layer to prevent it from shattering into pieces if broken - also known as Silvered Glass. For more information see: MIRRORED GLASS
PLATE GLASS
Very clear, thick glass that has been rolled, ground and polished into sheets. Available in cut-sizes but generally used for mirrors or larger windows. Also known as Polished Glass.
POLISHED GLASS
Very clear, thick glass that has been rolled, ground and polished into sheets. Available in cut-sizes but generally used for mirrors or larger windows. Also known as Plate Glass.
RADIATED HEAT
Classified by the letters EW, in this rating the W is a reference to radiated heat which means that unlike E rated glass alone (see Integrity Period) the glass does provide a degree of heat resistance but not for a defined period, unlike EI rated glass (see Insulation Period). For example: glass rated E60 has a 60 minute Integrity Period with no heat resistance at all, glass rated EW60 still has a 60 minute Integrity Period with some heat resistance but it does not have a defined period of insulation for Building Regulation purposes and will not restrict the temperature of the glass in the same way that EI rated glass will.
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SAFETY GLASS
Glass that has some form of safety function from an Impact Safety Rating point of view; for example, Toughened Glass or Laminated Glass or Wired Glass. Safety glass is harder to break and does not shatter in the same way as ordinary glass due to either the specific processing the glass has undertaken (toughened) or the bonded interlayer within the glass itself (laminated). For more information and to see our product range click here: SAFETY GLASS
SAFETY GLASS STANDARDS
Impact safety tests for glass must be carried out in accordance with the British and European standards which set out various provisions; including the definition of 'safe breakage'. BS EN 12600 is the European-wide standard for impact safety glass and BS 6206 is the British Standard.
SILVERED GLASS
Glass with a metal reflective coating applied to one side (usually made of silver, aluminium, gold or chrome) that is then sealed with a protective layer to prevent it from shattering into pieces if broken – also known as Mirrored Glass. For more information see: MIRRORED GLASS
SINGLE GLAZED
Windows or doors made up of a single pane of glass.
TEST EVIDENCE
Evidence provided by an independent test report, an assessment report or by third party certification of a product or material’s performance in a Fire Resistance Test and its Fire Protection Rating. For fire rated glass, the test evidence should include the integrity performance of the glass as well as any insulation, the size of the glass and the glazing system used.
TEMPERED GLASS
A type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Whilst it is significantly stronger than normal glass it is still breakable. However, on breaking it does not shatter in the same way as normal glass but falls apart in small cube-shaped pieces which, are less likely to cause injury, rather than larger shards of glass. Also known as Toughened Glass.
TOUGHENED GLASS
A type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Whilst it is significantly stronger than normal glass it is still breakable. However, on breaking it does not shatter in the same way as normal glass but falls apart in small cube-shaped pieces which, are less likely to cause injury, rather than larger shards of glass. Also known as Tempered Glass.
TOUGHENING PLANT
Manufacturing and production system that produces Toughened Glass to various cut-sizes.
U-VALUE
This is a measurement of thermal transmittance that provides a rating of how effective a product or material is in terms of insulation. The lower the u-value, the better the product or material is as a heat insulator.
VISION PANEL
Where a door or side panel is in excess of 450mm wide a viewing panel must be provided giving a minimum zone of visibility through the door or side panel. For more information see: www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-from-falling-collision-and-impact-approved-document-k
WIRED GLASS
A type of safety/fire rated glass with wire netting embedded within it during the manufacturing process. The wire netting reduces the probability of the glass shattering on impact/heat and is intended to hold the glass together if it cracks. However, this type of glass still breaks in the same way as ordinary glass and it will break into large jagged pieces on impact outside of its impact safety or fire rating.
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