Ordinary polished glass, laminated glass (triplex), double glazed units do not withstand thermal shock during a rapid rise in temperature during a fire and burst within 8-10 minutes.

To protect against fire, smoke and combustion products, there are 2 types of fire-resistant glass:

● Monolithic fire-resistant glass

● Laminated fire-resistant glass

Monolithic fire-resistant glass is a monolithic specially tempered glass that meets the integrity criteria for fire resistance classes from E15 to E60 (as part of an insulated glass unit). Due to exposure to high temperatures on such glass, it does not become cloudy and does not expand, retains its integrity for the time specified in the formula (in minutes).

Laminated fire-resistant glass is laminated glass with transparent, heat-expanding intermediate layers. In the event of a fire at a temperature of about 120°C, these layers change their physical properties and the glass turns into a rigid and opaque protective structure, allowing the glazing to maintain:

• ● integrity, i.e. to ensure the absence of through cracks or holes through which combustion products or flames penetrate;

  ● thermal insulation capacity, i.e. to prevent the transfer of heat to the protected space by means of radiation.

Based on the capacity to maintain integrity, limit or completely prevent thermal radiation (transfer of thermal energy), fire-resistant glass is divided into 3 classes of fire resistance (fire rating):

Fire Rating Class E –glass retains its integrity, prevents the penetration of flame, smoke and hot gases (but not thermal radiation) for a certain time without the formation of through cracks or holes.

Fire Rating Class EW – structure retains its integrity and limits thermal radiation (heat transfer) to the protected space.

Fire Rating Class EI - structure retains its integrity and completely prevents the penetration of thermal radiation (heat transfer) to the protected space. The glass temperature on the side opposite to the fire is not more than 140°C (average) or 180°C (at one measurement point) higher than the glass temperature under normal conditions.

The fire rating of each element is determined by the time (in minutes) during which this element can satisfy all the evaluation criteria: at least 15 - 30 - 45 - 60 - 90 - 120 - 180 minutes.

Examples of Fire Rating Designation:

Facade E 30 - the structure maintains integrity for 30 minutes.

Partition EIW 45 - the structure maintains integrity and prevents the penetration of thermal radiation for 45 minutes.

Functions:

• Provision of human safety
• Protection of building infrastructure and limitation of fire damage
• Provision of safe evacuation and access for rescue and fire-fighting services

Unlike other fire-resistant materials, fire-resistant glazing provides natural light and comfortable living conditions, and also allows you to implement a variety of design solutions.

Application:

Fire-resistant glazing shall be used in cases where building codes require a certain fire rating and where natural light and visibility are important: hospitals, schools, hotels and restaurants, shops, shopping malls, office buildings, industrial buildings, warehouses, airports.

Standard Use of Fire-Resistant Glass:

• Partial or full use in fire doors
• Glazing of partitions along escape passages, division of premises into compartments
• Roof and floor glazing
• Glazing of facades, zenith skylights and atriums
• In windows to prevent the propagation of fire up and along the facade, as well as its transfer from one building to another