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 successfully blocked flames 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, block flames and smoke.
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.
To ensure the expected fire performance is achieved, fire rated glass must always be glazed in accordance with the relevant specifications. Fire resistant glass must only be used as part of an appropriately approved and tested glazing system. We would also recommend that it be installed by specialists. Fire Glass UK is a FIRAS approved installer.
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.
To ensure the expected fire performance is achieved, fire rated glass must always be glazed in accordance with the relevant specifications. Fire resistant glass must only be used as part of an appropriately approved and tested glazing system. We would also recommend that it be installed by specialists. Fire Glass UK is a FIRAS approved installer.
TYPICAL FIRE RATED GLASS USAGE
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.
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
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.
SAFE EXITThe 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.
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.
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).
FIREGLASS STRUCTURE
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.
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.
TEMPERATURES
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.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR GLASS IS FIRE RATED
All fire rated glass is stamped to tell you what kind of glass is used.
This is a sample of our glass stamps.
