With the advent of new and better performing fire-rated glazing products in the market today, there is much confusion on which products are appropriate for certain applications based on current IBC and testing requirements. This session clarifies the confusion and provides useful information to empower design professionals at all levels to choose the correct and code compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application.
Session Recording
Q&A with Tim Nass, SAFTI FIRST
Ceramic products are listed up to 3 hours. Does that mean they can be used in 1- and 2-hour fire-resistive applications, such as stairwells?
No, the ceramic product is listed up to 180 minutes. Limitations that the code applies to fire protected products.
What is the best way for designers to save on money in 1-hour corridors while meeting fire rated requirements? This application can be seen in schools, where safety and budget are real concerns.
There are a lot of options at one hour. The first thing to look at is enacting the 25% limitation requirement. If you limit fire-rated glass to 25% of the aggregated wall area, you’re allowed to reduce the rating to ¾ of the wall area. The second thing is to talk to your preferred vendor to look at design options to limit different types of entrances.
As mentioned in the program, using special-purpose deluge sprinklers in 1-2 hour fire rated areas requires prior AHJ approval. Do fire resistive glazing assemblies need the same prior AHJ approval?
No, because they're considered 100% code compliant. However, we do see AHJ request information listings on those resistive systems.
Standard hollow metal framing is fire rated up to 90 minutes. Does this mean I can use it in 1-hour window/wall applications with fire-resistive glazing?
No, it really depends on the product. Hollow metal does not have the ability to control radiant energy. It is not just the glass that has to stop the transfer of heat, its also the framing. Hollow metal cannot be used in resistive applications.
Can surface films be installed on any of the rated products?
We typically see surface applied films used in wired and ceramic glass, to comply with impact standards, either category 1 or category 2. The decorative products are based by listing for products. For example, our fire-resistant glass has a listing that has a decorative film to be applied in the field after installation. It could be signage or some sort of aesthetic add on, it depends on the listing
Can exterior glazing be tinted, like a solar grey, etc.?
Absolutely, typically we will take the selected high-performance low encoded product. We will incorporate any glass into our product for aesthetic continuity.
How can we make your products "COVID SAFE"?
That’s so new, certainly, we are working on documents that help direct people to clean the surface and framing of the glass, with specific types of solvent.
Has exterior glass been tested for any wind-borne debris ASTM test?
We have done hurricane impact testing, both large and small missile. There have been discussions around FEMA standards for wind-borne debris. Right now it is limited to large and small missile impact for hurricanes. We also have bullet and blast-resistant as well.
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