How does the required hose stream test work and why does it matter?>
What do I need to know about impact safety testing for fire-rated glazing?>
Can fire-rated glass pass any additional performance tests?>
In fire-safety design, glazing does more than just hold back flames. Fire-rated glazing assemblies also act as barriers against hot gases, smoke and, in some instances, radiant heat transfer. They are engineered to resist thermal shock; without this durability, rapid temperature changes from sprinklers and fire hoses could shatter the glass and endanger occupants.
Thermally shocked glass can crack or explode, allowing paths for fire and smoke to spread. It can also shower dangerous shards onto occupants and create hazards for first responders trying to enter a building. The risk of injury posed when fire-rated glass experiences thermal shock cracking is partially why glass that is fire-rated for more than 20 minutes in the United States and all fire-rated glass in Canada must also pass the hose stream test.
This test combines the force of a firehose and the rapid temperature change it causes. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard NFPA 257, "The hose stream test provides a method for evaluating the integrity of constructions and assemblies and for eliminating inadequate materials or constructions. The cooling, impact and erosion effects of the hose stream tests the integrity of the specimen being evaluated."
Fire-rated glass and glazing assemblies from Technical Glass Products (TGP) have passed standards from ASTM International (ASTM E119), UL Solutions (UL 263, UL 9, UL 10B, UL 10C) and NFPA (NFPA 80, NFPA 252, NFPA 257). When required, they have also passed the hose stream test to minimize the design risk factors of thermally shocked glass.
Scroll through TGP’s Fire-Rated Solutions Hub to learn more about fire-rated design and specifying fire-rated glass.
