Fire-rated glass can save lives. Discover how it works, how it's rated and our revolutionary fire glass product.
Fire-rated glass is designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Often found in designated escape routes, staircases and common areas, it gives firefighters more time to battle the blaze and save lives.
It's "fire-rated" because it's rated according to how long it can withstand fire. This rating is measured in minutes and, depending on the product, can cover two things: how long the glass will remain in its frame and how long it will act as a barrier against the heat.
If you're overseeing the construction of a new building or the refurbishment of an old one, fire-rated glass is essential to ensure the safety of its inhabitants or occupants.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at fire-rated glass: how it works, how it's rated and how we can help.
How does fire-rated glass work?
In the world of glass fabrication, layers matter. Take laminated glass, which bonds a plastic interlayer between two sheets of glass. This structural innovation makes it exceptionally hard to break.
Or take double and triple glazing. These provide stability and security through structural layering.
Fire-rated glass works in a similar way. It's made out of layers of toughened glass with interlayers. In the event of a fire, the smoke and flames are compartmentalised between the panes of glass, preventing it from shattering.
The interlayer, whether made of plastic or gel, is intumescent, meaning it swells when exposed to heat. This provides insulation against the spread of the flames.
In other words, fire-rated glass is designed to maintain structural stability and provide insulation. Both of these slow the spread of fire, giving people longer to evacuate and the firefighters longer to fight the blaze.
To work correctly, however, fire-rated glass needs to be installed correctly into a fire-resistant frame system. Everything from the framework to the hinges, from the components to the handles, works together to provide the required level of fire safety.
How is fire-rated glass classified?
Fire-rated glass is classified in two ways: by structural integrity and insulation. These are both measured with a number that refers to the length of time it can withstand fire.
"E" refers to structural integrity. This refers to the length of time that the glass can remain in its frame when exposed to fire.
A glass product rated E30, for instance, can successfully retard flames and smoke for 30 minutes.
The second classification is "I" for insulation. This refers to the level of heat protection provided by the glass product. I30 glass would provide 30 minutes of insulation.
In some cases, fire-rated glass is classified with a W rating instead. This shows it provides resistance to heat but doesn't specify for how long.
Where is fire-rated glass used?
Fire-rated glass is required by law to be installed in buildings that have a lot of footfall. This is to help slow the spread of fire, protect lives and ensure safe exits for occupants. It tends to be installed in fire escape routes and stairwells.
In new-build homes and renovations, fire-rated doors must be installed to separate the stairwell from every adjoining room. They're also required in two-storey residential properties between the garage and the main house.
Why is fire-rated glass important?
Normal glass is vulnerable to fire. Faced with direct heat, annealed glass can fracture in a matter of minutes. In the event of a fire, this allows the flames to spread unchecked into the building's interior. Fire-rated glass has been developed to protect people by stopping this from happening.
By slowing the spread of fire, fire-rated glass gives people longer to exit the building and the fire service longer to arrive.
It's no exaggeration to say that fire-rated glass saves lives. But can it rightly be called "fireproof"?
Is there such a thing as "fireproof glass"?
"Fireproof." "Shatterproof." "Bomb-proof." These are all words used to describe building materials, including glass products.
The truth is that no material is fireproof. Some materials, however, are more resistant to fire than others. Fire-rated glass is the most fire-resistant glass on the market.
How does fire-rated glass differ from other types of glass?
For all its advantages, standard float glass isn't very fire-resistant, breaking at around 120°C (250°C). Toughened glass is better, withstanding temperatures of up to about 260°C (500°F).
Neither of these types of glass, however, can hold a candle to fire-rated glass. This can withstand temperatures of 870°C (1,600°F) and above.
What is toughened glass?
Some kinds of fire-rated glass are made out of toughened glass. This is a special kind of safety glass that's toughened for extra strength.
It's designated as "safety glass" because of the way it breaks. While standard float glass breaks into large, sharp shards, toughened glass shatters into lots of tiny pieces. This is less likely to cause injury to passersby and much easier to clean up.
Laminated glass is another kind of safety glass, which may or may not be toughened. It consists of a plastic interlayer sandwiched between two panes of glass. This shatters in its frame, maintaining structural stability. It's used for windscreens, glazing in hurricane areas and other settings requiring high levels of protection.
Fire-rated glass resembles laminated glass in that it consists of two sheets of glass and an interlayer. The type of interlayer, however, is different. At ToughGlaze, we use a gel interlayer and toughen the glass in our furnaces for improved structural integrity.
About our fire-rated glass
At ToughGlaze, we manufacture a revolutionary fire-rated glass product –
TG FR. It's exceptionally strong, provides hours of fire protection and is beautifully clear. So clear, in fact, that it's barely distinguishable from other types of laminated glass.
We believe TG FR is easily among the most effective and versatile forms of fire-rated glass on the UK market. But don't just take our word for it. TG FR meets British building regulations and is Kitemark-approved.
TG FR is rated up to EI120, providing at least two hours of integrity and protection against radiant heat when installed in a suitable frame. And like all of our products, it can be customised to meet the exact requirements of your project.
So, if you're looking for high-quality
toughened fire-rated glass, don't hesitate to
get in touch for a quick, competitive quote.
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