In building construction, an effective fire protection strategy encompasses three key elements: detection, suppression, and compartmentation. Detection tools like smoke and fire alarms play a critical role in providing early alerts, which are vital for warning individuals of potential dangers. Suppression includes methods and systems that extinguish or control fires rapidly, preventing their spread and minimizing damage. These methods may include water-based systems like sprinklers, chemical agents, or inert gasses that displace oxygen to smother fires.
Of these three elements, the significance of compartmentation is frequently underestimated. Compartmentation involves passive forms of fire safeguarding. Building materials themselves play a pivotal role in confining fires to specific areas, preventing an uncontrolled spread within structures. Fire rated walls, ceiling tiles, sealants, and even windows can act as fire barriers, limiting the fire's progression and safeguarding against extensive damage.
A fire rated wall, or fire wall is a specially designed barrier built to prevent the spread of fire between separate sections of a building, thus helping to ensure a safe passage of escape for occupants. Typically made of fire-resistant materials such as concrete, brick, or gypsum board, fire walls are strategically placed to compartmentalize a structure, limiting the damage caused by fires and providing occupants with more time to evacuate without the threat of flames and smoke.
These barriers are specified and constructed according to strict building codes and regulations to ensure their effectiveness in containing fires. Fire rated walls extend from the foundation to the roof and are equipped with fire-rated doors, windows, and other penetrations to maintain their integrity. They are often used in multi-unit residential buildings, commercial complexes, and industrial facilities to protect occupants and property from the devastating effects of fires. Fire walls play a crucial role in enhancing the overall safety and resilience of buildings, minimizing the risk of fire-related disasters and offering peace of mind to occupants.
Fire protection is paramount in any building. Fire rated glass block can be part of this plan. GBA Architectural Products + Services’ fire rated glass block products allow light penetration and a visibility while safeguarding lives and assets through fire-resistant materials and construction. By integrating these glass blocks into a window system, GBA creates window assemblies that remain fire-resistant for up to two hours.
Our 45, 60, 90, and now 120 Minute Fire Rated Glass Blocks are certified and tested by Underwriters Laboratory (UL®) Standards and/or NFPA 257.
Fire-rated windows can withstand heat levels from fires and prevent the spread of flames for a specified duration, meeting essential fire safety codes. GBA's glass block technology allows us to offer a range of fire-rated products approved and rated according to UL standards. UL, a global leader in safety science, conducts rigorous tests, exposing glass blocks to propane gas-fired furnaces for various durations to determine their fire rating. Meeting UL standards ensures our products meet strict requirements based on scientific research, demonstrating their strength, durability, and energy efficiency.
4" Premiere™ Series glass block offers a 45-minute fire rating and several design options. All Premiere™ Series and Thinline® Series, with the exception of 12” x 12” sizes, finishing block, corner block, Alpha pattern and Opal glass block, patterns are classified by UL for 45-minute rated window assemblies. Size options include 8" x 8", 6" x 8", 6" x 6" and 4" x 8". S.T.C. levels range from 35 – 41 depending on the block best suited to meet the design goal.
Patterns for Premiere™ Series include:
Thickset® 60 and Thickset® 90 offer three patterns with thicker faces for added security and respective 60-minute or 90-minute fire ratings. VISTABRIK® is a 3" solid glass block classified by UL® for 45-, 60-, and 90-minute fire ratings up to 100 square feet.
European and American-tested 2-hour fire rated glass block is available in a 7½" size. This 120-minute fire rated glass block achieves the 2-hour fire rating in vertical wall panels. The glass block can be customized for privacy with the addition of a Sahara Finish on either one side or both sides of the glass. The wave pattern of this glass block adds privacy with the distortion of figures on either side of the glass. 2-hour fire rated glass block from GBA:
Architects value glass block for its blend of security and aesthetics. Despite its fire resistance, glass block from GBA maintains excellent light transmission and can be customized to be as translucent or transparent as desired. These products are ideal for zero lot lines or areas requiring fire-resistant window assemblies, where it not only enhances safety but also reduces noise levels. Glass block can be further customized with patterns or sandblasting for added privacy without sacrificing natural light transmission.
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