Given the highly technical nature of fire-rated glass, building teams may sometimes be unsure about what type of glass can withstand fire and high heat. Read below to find out more about the specifics of fire-rated glass.

Fire-proof vs. Fire-rated

Not all glass is fireproof. In fact, some might argue that there is no such thing as fireproof glass because “fireproof” is not a term the glazing and architecture industry use to categorize glass. To refer generally to glass that can withstand fire and high heat, glaziers and designers use the term “fire-rated.”

When designers specify fire-rated glass, they will choose between fire-protective and fire-resistive glass. Both options will provide varying levels and durations of protection and have specific applications where they can be used as prescribed by building codes. Fire-protective glass is a thin glazing and will defend against the spread of flames and smoke for a designated period of time and is limited to less than 25% of the aggregate length of the wall. Fire-protective materials do not meet ASTM E119 standards and so are not allowed for 2-hour applications.

Thicker than fire-protective glass, fire-resistive glass will provide the same protection in addition to blocking radiant and conductive heat and is actually classified as a “wall” rather than an opening (or window). Fire-resistive assemblies have unlimited opening sizes. Each classification of glass can offer fire protection for times that range from 20 to 180 minutes.

INTRODUCTION TO FIRE RATED GLAZING

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