Understanding fire-resistant glazing systems - ASFP seminar 2014/2. RD Glazing.pdf · • Product standard e.g. BS EN 12150, BS EN 14449 ... EN 14449 = Laminated 2014 Understanding

Understanding fire-resistantglazing systems

Presented by Russell DayTechnical officerThe Glass and Glazing Federation

What is important when specifying and installingFire-resistant Glazing Systems?

• The framing system

• Timber

• Steel

• Aluminium

• The glass

• The glazing components/compounds

• Fire test or assessment evidence

• Quality of installation

www.ggf.org.uk

Understanding Fire-ResistantGlazing Systems

Potential issues with Framing Systems

• In particular, with timber framingsystems, the framing may bemanufactured and installed by differentcontractors to the glazing contractor. Theglazier must confirm:

• The framing has been manufactured inaccordance with the fire test or assessmentspecification

• It is installed into the building fabric correctly

www.ggf.org.uk


The Framing System

• Timber framing – critical factors

• Species and density of timber used

• Section sizes and profile

• Rebate upstand size

• Glazing bead profile, in particular:

• Square edge top face or

• Chamfered or beveled top face

• Bead fixing details

www.ggf.org.uk


The Framing System

• Steel and aluminium frame systems

• Generally supplied and fitted by a singlecompany or contractor

• Critical to ensure it is installed into thebuilding fabric correctly

www.ggf.org.uk


The Fire-Resistant Glass

• Performance of Fire-Resistant Glass

• When tested for Fire-Resistance, glass will becatagorised for use in the UK as:

• Exx (e.g. E30) – Integrity only glass, thenumber indicating the period it willprovide protection

• EIxx (e.g. EI60) – Integrity and insulationglass, the number indicting the period itwill provide protection

• EWxx (e.g. EW60) – Not recognized in UK

www.ggf.org.uk


The Fire-resistant Glass

• Marking of Fire-resistant Glass

• Glass to be used in fire-resistant systemsshould be permanently marked with thefollowing in a visible location:

• Manufacturers name, trading name or producttradename

• Product standard e.g. BS EN 12150, BS EN 14449etc.

• Safety classification if appropriate

• Fire-resistance e.g. E30, EI60 etc.

www.ggf.org.uk


Pilkington Pyrodur Plus (7mm)

EN 12150 = ToughenedEN 14449 = Laminated

2014


Pyroguard


VetroflamVetroflam Laminated

Pyroswiss

Pyroswiss Laminated

Contraflam DoorLite

Contraflam

ContraflamStructure

(Butt Jointed)

Swissflam DGU Stamp




Glazing components and compounds

• The glazing components and compoundsmust be as stated in the test orassessment evidence:

• Substitution without supporting evidence isnot allowed

www.ggf.org.uk


Quality of Installation

• Provided the framing material, glass andglazing components/compounds are asspecified in the test or assessmentevidence, the performance of the Fire-resistant Glazed System is reliant on:

• The correct installation of the frame into thebuilding fabric and

• The fire-resistant glass being installed in theframe correctly using the materials specified

www.ggf.org.uk



• The installation is as critical as thecomponent parts of a barrier to fire

• The GGF has developed installer trainingbased on 2 GGF documents:

A Best Practice Guide in theSpecification and Use of Fire-Resistant

Glazed Systems

• Referenced in Approved Document B

www.ggf.org.uk


www.ggf.org.uk



• The installation is as critical as the componentparts of a barrier to fire

• The GGF has developed installer training basedon 2 GGF documents:

A Best Practice Guide in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems

and

The Specification, Supply and Installationof Fire-Resistant Barriers containing Glassfor Resistance against the passage of Fire

and Products of Combustionwww.ggf.org.uk


www.ggf.org.uk



• The GGF installer training workshop:

• Knowledge based workshop

• Knowledge assessment at end of course

• Initial courses in Northern Ireland

• Will be rolled out in England, Scotland andWales during 2014

• Delegates received a certificate to showattainment

• Intend to move to a registered list and issue anapproved installer card

www.ggf.org.uk


What is the result if the wrong system, glassor components are used?

What happens if the quality of installation isnot ‘up-to-standard’?

Getting it Wrong - Getting it Right

www.ggf.org.uk


www.ggf.org.uk


Documents

Understanding fire-resistant glazing systems - ASFP seminar 2014/2. RD Glazing.pdf · • Product standard e.g. BS EN 12150, BS EN 14449 ... EN 14449 = Laminated 2014 Understanding