Designing with Fire-Rated Glass: Integrating Life Safety, Transparency, and Aesthetics

Technology creates new glazing options
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Jerry Razwick

Some fire-rated steel framing systems utilize an insulated steel profile, and have achieved ratings up to 90 minutes in doors, and up to 2 hours for other applications. Acting as a barrier to heat transfer, these frames and transparent panels allow an unrestricted amount of glass in walls and doors, and are compatible with glass fire wall products.

Such systems allow for full-lite doors and large expanses of glass, creating new possibilities for designers. For example, in a 4' x 8' door, it is now possible to have a single piece of glass providing a full-lite, narrow-stile door.


Fire-rated steel framing offers narrower profiles than traditional hollow metal steel frames.
Project: L'Anse Creuse High School North, L'Anse Creuse, Michigan. Architect: Wakely Associates, Inc.
Photo: Courtesy Technical Glass Products

As with other recent developments in steel framing, solutions now address curtainwall applications as well, including a fire-rated framing system spanning several stories, like an aluminum curtainwall. Whether interior stairwells or exterior property line applications, curtainwalls have been developed with up to 2-hour ratings. Similar to the fire-rated storefront systems, these steel curtainwalls are difficult to distinguish from aluminum systems.

Although steel remains the most widely used material for fire-rated framing, significant advancements have also been made using wood. For many interior applications, nothing can compare to the warmth and beauty of natural wood. With recently developed systems, wood doors and frames can be used in fire-rated openings. Available with fire ratings from 20 to 60 minutes, these hardwood framing systems can incorporate a wide range of fire-rated glazing materials with glass sizes that surpass traditional systems. Hardwood frames are typically available in a wide variety of species, from red oak or cherry, to mahogany and maple.

Glass and Sprinklers

A comprehensive fire protection program should address three basic needs: detection, suppression, and compartmentation. Components in the first two categories generally require some type of activation, while components of the third category work without any type of trigger. For instance, smoke alarms, which provide detection, and sprinklers, which provide suppression, both require a signal to switch into active mode. Smoke or heat sets them off. In contrast, fire walls, doors, and ceilings compartmentalize and contain smoke and flames without any activation process. They offer passive, round-the-clock protection by acting as physical barriers to fire and smoke.

With active systems, there is always the danger of mechanical failure, human error, or poor maintenance interfering with the way the systems function. A sudden loss of power or an unexpected drop in water pressure can render smoke alarms or sprinklers ineffective. Manufacturing defects can further interfere with product performance.

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record.
Originally published in December 2005

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