Can fire-rated and conventional curtain wall systems match?>
Architects are drawn to the beauty and warmth of wood frames, but their options have been limited for interior glazing applications with stringent fire and life safety performance criteria. Many fire-rated framing systems serve as a barrier to radiant and conductive heat transfer. However, none have been able to provide this level of performance while enabling a true timber aesthetic, tall free spans and the narrow profiles of non-rated framing systems. The Fireframes TimberLine™ Series sidelines this design challenge, bringing the beautiful look of slender, wood frames to interior areas requiring fire resistance. The framing system is built with a high-strength steel sub-frame and real-wood veneered metal cover cap. This allows the system to capture the allure of wood while serving as a barrier to radiant and conductive heat transfer. For enhanced design flexibility, cover caps are available in several wood species, including white maple, cherry, fir and oak.
