What common code mistakes should be avoided?

With the frequent code changes related to fire-rated glass, and sometimes misleading marketing messages from glazing suppliers, it can be challenging to know what is acceptable when specifying fire-rated glass and frames.

Below are several issues to be aware of that often trip up building professionals:

• Misuse of traditional wired glass: Although traditional wired glass was the workhorse of fire-rated glazing for decades, because products shatter upon impact and can create dangerous wire snags, as of the 2006 IBC the material is prohibited in locations where people might run into it, in all building types. Traditional wired glass is acceptable in applications where it will not be impacted, such as transoms. Some manufacturers also offer wired glass with a surface-applied film that allows for an impact safety rating.
• Inconsistent ratings among glazing system components: A common mistake is specifying fire-rated glass and framing with inconsistent ratings and performance levels. To ensure building occupant safety, it is important to confirm the fire-rated glass and frames provide the same level of defense against the spread of fire (fire protection or fire resistance). It also is crucial to verify all assembly components have the same or greater ratings than the required code minimums for the opening. This includes the frame, glass, seals and other components.
  
  Since product verification can require a significant amount of due diligence, a good way to guide proper specification is to work with a manufacturer or supplier that offers fire-rated glass assemblies from a single source. In such cases, all the components are designed and tested in the same assembly.
• Over-reliance on sprinklers: In some circumstances, the International Building Code allows for a lower, one-hour fire-rating for exit corridors where automatic sprinkler systems are in place. The idea is that shifting money from building compartmentation to sprinklers is an effective and affordable way to protect occupants against fire. While sprinklers do much to save lives, they are no substitute for the use of passive fire-rated glazing materials. If sprinklers do not activate due to faulty manufacturing, loss of water pressure, or other reasons, fire-rated glass will perform its critical function of compartmentation—with or without water from the sprinklers.