CASE STUDY: FROM PROTECTIVE TO MULTI-PERFORMANCE

Protective glazing—from fire rated to security—continues to evolve to meet higher code standards, more complex design specifications, and increasing demand for multi-performance products. In addition to fire ratings, customers are asking for higher levels of security, whether forced entry or ballistic; higher levels of impact safety; and better thermal performance or solar control.

The key to maximizing product performance and design flexibility is early engagement with the glass supplier. “All too often, these products are incorporated without a supplier’s involvement, and there are negative impacts on both aesthetics and the bottom line,” says Tim Nass, vice president of sales for Safti First. The ability to recommend products coupled with design features make suppliers invaluable to ensuring the design and specifications meet code well within the owner’s budget.

The following two projects demonstrate the performance and aesthetic qualities protective glazing now offers. From a fire-rated system bringing needed daylighting to the collaborative workspace of a research facility to a hurricane-impact system contributing to the well-being of patients, glass suppliers are working with designers to show what protective glazing can do.

Fire-Rated Glass Breaks Barriers

At Juno Therapeutics in Seattle, fire-rated glass not only provides fire-resistant protection but also natural daylighting for the biopharmaceutical company. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows supplied by Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, researchers developing innovative cancer treatments can collaborate in a brightly lit environment. While a traditional research facility encloses and separates laboratories and office space, Juno features windows measuring more than 9 feet tall that separate the office area and labs.

Vetrotech Saint-Gobain and glazing contractor Goldfinch Bros. worked together on lead time, space, storage, and other logistics to create a fire-rated glazing solution that met project requirements and matched the design vision of the architectural firm, Flad. Vetrotech provided Contraflam Structure 120, a fire-rated seamless butt-glazed solution, to separate the labs from the conference and common rooms. In case of fire, Contraflam provides up to 2 hours of fire-resistant protection to help keep occupants safe from radiant heat transfer and gasses caused by smoke and flames. Contraflam Structure also provides needed sound reduction with a sound transmission class rating of 46 decibels. Vetrotech also supplied the project with its VDS framing and door systems, further allowing light into the tall, narrow building.

Photo courtesy of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain/Hannah Rankin Photography

Floor-to-ceiling windows made from fire-rated glass allow for fire protection and natural light to penetrate the cancer treatment facility at Juno Therapeutics, thus providing a cheery atmosphere for patients.

Impact System Provides Protection and Inspiration

Numerous studies have been conducted in the last two decades looking at the relationship between windows and occupant health and performance. The findings show a repeating theme: Access to daylight and views improves occupant health and comfort. In hospitals specifically, studies link daylight to decreases in patients’ stays and use of pain medications.

At the Lennar Foundation Medical Center, these facts were top of mind when designing the new building. Expansive views and daylight both contributed to the goal of providing quality preventative and outpatient care for a variety of patients and focusing on their overall well-being. Located on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, the glass building also had to meet Miami’s strict building codes. The result? A 206,000-square-foot building that incorporates a 9-inch, four-sided structurally glazed curtain wall system to meet South Florida’s Large Missile Impact requirements, manufactured and installed by Crawford-Tracey. In addition, the building can withstand water pressures of 100 psf.

Viracon fabricated the glass, which consists of 1⁵⁄₁₆-inch laminated, insulated vision glass and 1⁵⁄₁₆-inch laminated, insulated spandrel. Kuraray supplied the laminated glass interlayer. Perkins+Will was the architect for the project.

Photo courtesy of Crawford-Tracey

The large glass exterior windows at Lennar Foundation Medical Center provide daylighting and expansive views for patients while also meeting South Florida’s Large Missile Impact requirements and being able to withstand water pressures of 100 psf.