What is the difference between fire-protective and fire-resistive glazing?>
How does fire-rated framing differ from architectural framing systems?>
While fire-rated framing systems from Technical Glass Products (TGP) are engineered to mimic standard architectural systems, they operate on fundamentally different principles.
Most importantly, fire-rated framing incorporates components and designs meant to block the spread of fire, smoke and, when fire-resistance-rated, radiant and conductive heat when specified in fire-rated window systems or fire-rated doors. Further, because fire-rated glass is usually heavier than architectural glazing, fire-rated framing is often required to be more robust than non-rated frames for interior glass partition systems.
Fire-rated framing is tested according to independent, third-party administered fire test standards. These test standards inform and are informed by both model and local building code requirements.
For both fire-rated doors and fire-rated window systems, Section 716: Opening Protectives of the 2024 edition of the International Building Codes (IBC) describes test standard protocols, rating requirements and markings that should be on fire-rated glazing.
It is important to note that local building codes can vary from the model codes, so teams are recommended to consult with the codes most relevant for their project and to contact an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to clarify ambiguities.
The frames of these interior glass partition systems will need to match the markings on the glass to ensure the full assembly meets code-driven requirements. To streamline this process, the online Product SpeciFire® tool from Technical Glass Products (TGP) can help teams narrow their search for code-compliant glazing.
Because the weight between fire-rated and non-fire-rated glass differs, in the past design teams often had to opt for larger framing profiles than non-rated systems. This could create visual disharmony between neighboring glazing assemblies.
TGP’s fire-rated frames are rollformed to achieve narrow profiles that more closely resemble non-rated frames. Whether they are for a fire-rated door, fire-rated window system, fire-rated curtain wall or any other application, narrow-profile frames support a cohesive design across the entire built environment.
Download BIM or CAD files of TGP’s fire-rated systems today to see how they can support your next project.
