Does your design have to compromise if fire-rated glass is required?>
Can fire-rated glass also be impact rated and bullet resistant?>
Often, fire-rated glass costs more than non-rated glass. While project stakeholders can work with manufacturers to find cost-effective solutions for their building, building professionals may wonder why is fire-rated glass so expensive.
Fire-rated glass costs can be attributed to the components and processes used to create the product. For example, fire-resistant glass often includes intumescent interlayers that defend against fire and smoke as well as radiant and conductive heat. As more interlayers are used, the glazing assembly’s fire-resistant properties increase as does its thickness. These interlayers will also need to be laminated with other glazing components, which can increase fire-rated glass’ cost and weight. With the additional weight, fire-resistant glass may require more robust, fire-rated frames.
When specified in key areas of the built environment, this material can provide performance and fire and life safety benefits to justify its cost. For instance, fire-resistant glass provides an always-ready, around-the-clock fire barrier, also called passive fire protection, to provide peace of mind to building occupants. Further, this material can support sound attenuation, insulation and provide resistance to impact, ballistic attack and forced-entry attack.
Even with a higher price point, fire-rated glass typically accounts for a minimal percentage of a building’s total budget. With today's range of products, from ceramic glazing to transparent wall panels, Technical Glass Products (TGP) can help determine where fire-rated glass can maximize design impact and which high-performance fire-rated glazing solutions can readily meet a project’s budget.
