Fire rated Glass
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certain degree of protection in the face of fire. That may
sound like a strange task for glass to perform. Obviously,
glass can’t extinguish a fire or warn a building’s occupants
that there’s any danger. But fire-rated glass can help
keep flames and smoke from spreading from one room
to another. The official term for this is compartmentation,
and it means that glass can play a vital role in restricting
fire damage to a limited area.
We are committed to delivering a premium level service –
providing speed, quality and simplicity throughout the
entire process. Please read about the following Fire Rated
Products offered by Bear Glass:
sound like a strange task for glass to perform. Obviously,
glass can’t extinguish a fire or warn a building’s occupants
that there’s any danger. But fire-rated glass can help
keep flames and smoke from spreading from one room
to another. The official term for this is compartmentation,
and it means that glass can play a vital role in restricting
fire damage to a limited area.
We are committed to delivering a premium level service –
providing speed, quality and simplicity throughout the
entire process. Please read about the following Fire Rated
Products offered by Bear Glass:
Polished Wired Glass
Ceramic Glass
Transparent and Wireless Glass
Specialty Tempered Glass
Transparent Wall Units
industry. Used for more than a century, it has a solid track record. Most
codes were originally written around wired glass, because for many years it
was the only glass that could pass the fire testing.
Wired glass is able to pass the hose stream test, and has earned a 45
minute rating (even higher in very small door sizes). Code and fire officials
have been able to instantly recognize the wire mesh as a sign that glass was
fire-rated. Read More
codes were originally written around wired glass, because for many years it
was the only glass that could pass the fire testing.
Wired glass is able to pass the hose stream test, and has earned a 45
minute rating (even higher in very small door sizes). Code and fire officials
have been able to instantly recognize the wire mesh as a sign that glass was
fire-rated. Read More
Ceramic Glass is a category of fire-rated glazing that has entered the
amazing ability to withstand heat and thermal shock. That’s why today you
can find ceramic in everything from cooktops to car engines. Once the take
long to see the potential for its use as a fire-rated glass. Read More
amazing ability to withstand heat and thermal shock. That’s why today you
can find ceramic in everything from cooktops to car engines. Once the take
long to see the potential for its use as a fire-rated glass. Read More
advantage. It comes in a range of make-ups that can provide many ratings,
sound reduction, etc. It can also be beveled, etched or sandblasted without
affecting the fire rating. It is even available in insulated glass unit (IGU)
make-ups that comply with energy codes for use in exterior applications.
Read More
sound reduction, etc. It can also be beveled, etched or sandblasted without
affecting the fire rating. It is even available in insulated glass unit (IGU)
make-ups that comply with energy codes for use in exterior applications.
Read More
Bear Glass Specialty Tempered Glass has become a popular alternative for
low level fire safety. It is clear, wireless and has a fairly moderate initial
investment. High impact ratings make it suitable for some door applications.
However, it does have some serious drawbacks that are important to note.
Read More
low level fire safety. It is clear, wireless and has a fairly moderate initial
investment. High impact ratings make it suitable for some door applications.
However, it does have some serious drawbacks that are important to note.
Read More
Bear Glass Transparent Wall Units make up the final category of fire-rated
glass, and in reality, they are in a class by themselves. They are tested and
classified as “walls,” even though they are made of glass. Their claim to
block significant amounts of heat from transfering through the glass.
Read More
glass, and in reality, they are in a class by themselves. They are tested and
classified as “walls,” even though they are made of glass. Their claim to
block significant amounts of heat from transfering through the glass.
Read More
Some FAQs about Fire Rated Glass:
known as compartmentalization. The framing and glass undergo independent testing from such
organizations as Underwriters Laboratories, where a fire is ignited and the temperature (which can be as
high as 1,000ºF after only five minutes) is measured on the surface of the glass. Ratings are given
based on the length of time the glass remains intact. The test concludes by blasting the heated glass
with water from a two-man fire hose to determine the system’s ability to withstand impact pressure and
its resistance to thermal water shock. Fire-rated glass ratings range from 20 minutes up to three hours,
depending on the product and framing system.
2. When using glass in fire-rated locations, is impact safety glass also required?
No. Building codes determine where impact safety glass is required. “Generally speaking, any glass 18
inches off the floor or 36 inches from a door—and any door glass itself—has to be safety glass,” says
Vermeulen. However, a transom over a door would not require the use of impact-rated glass, so a fire-
rated glass that is not impact rated could be used and is a less expensive option than glazing offering
both impact- and fire resistance.
3. What types of impact glazing are available?
There are two types: Category I and Category II.
Category I represents 150 foot-pounds of impact, which simulates a small child (approximately 85 lb)
running into the glass. Glass meeting this test is limited to a maximum size of nine sf per lite.
Category II represents 400 foot-pounds, which simulates an adult running into the glass, and is the
highest level of required impact-rated glass. With few exceptions, all tempered or laminated glass in
use falls into this category, and any opening over nine sf has to meet category II standards.
4. What types of fire-rated glass are available?
Two types: thin and thick.
Thin glass is approximately 1/4- to 5/16- inch thick and fits into standard fire-rated steel frames. Thin
glass is now available in larger sizes than previously offered—allowing greater design flexibility and
larger openings for increased daylighting transfer—with fire ratings from 20 to 90 minutes. Thin
products are classified as “opening protective” and block smoke and flames, but are not heat barriers.
Thin products are available with or without impact ratings.
Thick glass products, commonly called glass walls because they allow virtually unlimited expanses of
glass and are typically used in areas where glazing exceeds 25% of the wall area, measure ¾ inch or
more in thickness and are tested to the same standards as solid barrier walls. Fire ratings for thick
glass range from 45 minutes up to two hours, and the products block smoke and flames as well as
heat.
organizations as Underwriters Laboratories, where a fire is ignited and the temperature (which can be as
high as 1,000ºF after only five minutes) is measured on the surface of the glass. Ratings are given
based on the length of time the glass remains intact. The test concludes by blasting the heated glass
with water from a two-man fire hose to determine the system’s ability to withstand impact pressure and
its resistance to thermal water shock. Fire-rated glass ratings range from 20 minutes up to three hours,
depending on the product and framing system.
2. When using glass in fire-rated locations, is impact safety glass also required?
No. Building codes determine where impact safety glass is required. “Generally speaking, any glass 18
inches off the floor or 36 inches from a door—and any door glass itself—has to be safety glass,” says
Vermeulen. However, a transom over a door would not require the use of impact-rated glass, so a fire-
rated glass that is not impact rated could be used and is a less expensive option than glazing offering
both impact- and fire resistance.
3. What types of impact glazing are available?
There are two types: Category I and Category II.
Category I represents 150 foot-pounds of impact, which simulates a small child (approximately 85 lb)
running into the glass. Glass meeting this test is limited to a maximum size of nine sf per lite.
Category II represents 400 foot-pounds, which simulates an adult running into the glass, and is the
highest level of required impact-rated glass. With few exceptions, all tempered or laminated glass in
use falls into this category, and any opening over nine sf has to meet category II standards.
4. What types of fire-rated glass are available?
Two types: thin and thick.
Thin glass is approximately 1/4- to 5/16- inch thick and fits into standard fire-rated steel frames. Thin
glass is now available in larger sizes than previously offered—allowing greater design flexibility and
larger openings for increased daylighting transfer—with fire ratings from 20 to 90 minutes. Thin
products are classified as “opening protective” and block smoke and flames, but are not heat barriers.
Thin products are available with or without impact ratings.
Thick glass products, commonly called glass walls because they allow virtually unlimited expanses of
glass and are typically used in areas where glazing exceeds 25% of the wall area, measure ¾ inch or
more in thickness and are tested to the same standards as solid barrier walls. Fire ratings for thick
glass range from 45 minutes up to two hours, and the products block smoke and flames as well as
heat.
Bear Glass Inc.
399 20th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215