Choosing fire-rated glass for fire doors: 5 expert tips
Share this blog:
Need a batch of fire-rated glass for doors, but not sure what to choose? Here are 5 tips to make sure you get the right materials for the job.
In some settings, fire doors are a requirement, not an option.
This is the case in multi-occupied buildings such as flats and HMOs (houses in multiple occupation). Fire doors need to be installed in stairwells and corridors, and they should separate the property from an integrated garage.
In private homes, fire doors are legally required if the property has three or more storeys or two storeys and an integrated garage.
If you want to include glass in these doors, the glass must be fire-rated. This is a specialised glass product that contains fire and smoke. Different products can contain the fire for shorter or longer periods. The longer the containment, the more time occupants have to evacuate and emergency services have to arrive.
So, what do you need to know when shopping for fire-rated glass for fire doors? Here are five things to keep in mind.
1. Know your ratings
How do you know how fire-resistant a window is? You can't tell by looking or touching. Instead, you have to rely on fire resistance ratings.
There are two fire resistance ratings: E ratings and I ratings. They're often presented together as EI ratings.
An E rating measures the integrity of the glass product. In this context, integrity refers to the glass's ability to prevent flames from passing through. It doesn't cover any protection against heat. This is covered by the I rating, in which "I" stands for "insulation".
An EI rating tells you how long the product can block flames, gases and heat. These can go up to 180 minutes (EI180).
At ToughGlaze, our fire-rated glass is available in different specs. At its highest, it delivers protection from flames and heat for 120 minutes or more.
It's helpful to have a handle on fire ratings before entering into talks with a glass supplier. A good supplier, however, will be happy to answer any questions you have.
2. Know your building codes
Different buildings require different fire ratings. These requirements are based on several factors, including the type of building, its location and the nature of its occupancy.
To install the right kind of fire-rated glass, you need to check your local building codes and standards. You can find these in Approved Document B (Fire Safety) of the UK Building Regulations.
It's an area of building design where compromise isn't an option. So, make sure you know your building codes before placing an order for fire-rated glass.
3. Know your types of fire-rated glass
There are different kinds of fire-rated glass on the market. The three most common are wired glass, tempered (or toughened) fire-resistant glass and laminated fire-resistant glass.
Wired glass was the go-to for many years. It works by maintaining integrity with wire mesh embedded in the glass. These days, it's given way to toughened and laminated glass. These are safer products offering higher levels of all-around performance.
Toughened fire-resistance glass is strong – up to five times as strong as standard annealed glass. It's also impressively resistant to thermal stress. On its own, however, it's not considered suitable for high-level fire resistance.
For this, laminated fire-resistant glass is required. Laminated glass is a kind of unit made up of two sheets of glass with a plastic or gel interlayer.
Laminated glass is most often used for its durability and ability to withstand heavy impacts. In the case of fire resistance, however, the interlayer has a secondary purpose: to block the spread of fire and heat for a specified length of time.
At ToughGlaze, our fire-rated glass has a gel-like interlayer which expands when it reaches a certain temperature. It can resist fire for up to 120 minutes, giving building occupants time to evacuate and emergency services time to arrive.
4. Know your systems
Fire-rated glass isn't a standalone product. To work effectively, it needs to be compatible with its framing, seals and fixings. Taken together, this is known as a "system".
At the end of the day, a fire resistance rating doesn't amount to much if it's not part of a bigger system. So, before you buy your glass, make sure it's compatible with the other essential components.
Here at ToughGlaze, our team of glass fabrication experts has made sure that TG FR works with all major glazing and profile systems. You can be confident our glass will suit your purposes – but if in doubt, just ask.
5. Know what to look for in a supplier
It doesn't matter how good the fire-rated glass product is. If your supplier isn't reliable, professional and experienced, you could be putting your project at risk.
A good supplier won't hide behind a script or behind science. They'll answer any questions you have clearly and promptly – and they won't cut any corners when it comes to important details.
Of course, it's not immediately obvious whether a supplier will provide this kind of service. So, what can you look out for when finding the right supplier for the job?
First, you should check for testimonials. If no one is singing the firm's praises but the firm itself, look elsewhere.
Secondly, and equally importantly, you should keep an eye out for industry accreditations. In the context of fire-rated glass, these include the Kitemark seal of approval, BS EN standards and EI ratings.
Finally, you should be confident that any doubts you have will be answered promptly and professionally. Supplier dodging the question? It's time to take your business elsewhere.
Are you looking for high-quality, made-to-measure fire-rated glass? TG FR from ToughGlaze offers up to 120 minutes of protection without compromising optical clarity. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your requirements or request a quote.
