Impact resistant safety glass is required in hazardous locations which is defined as being in a door, within 24″ of a door, within 18″ of the floor per IBC 2406.
Doors up to 60 minute have a max size of 36″ x 89″ (non-temp rise)
Doors up to 90 minute have a max size of 36″ x 56-1/2″ (non-temp rise)
Doors up to 180 minute and temp rise doors have a max size of 100 square inches
Glass in walls is slightly more complicated – It has a maximum allowable exposed area (clear view), along with a maximum sheet size, and a maximum width and maximum height.
Walls up to 60 minute have a max exposed glass area of 3,325 square inches (23 square feet). The max sheet size is 96″ x 48″.
Walls up to 90 minute have a max exposed glass area of 2,627 square inches (18.24 square feet). The max allowable width or height cannot exceed 56-1/2″. And the max sheet size is 96″ x 48″.
UL 9, UL 10B, UL 10C, NFPA 80, NFPA 257, and Hose Stream.
If safety rated is selected, then it meets all the codes above and NFPA 252, ANSI Z97.1 CPSC 16 CFR 1201 CAT II.
Yes, per IBC 703.6, fire rated glass must be permanently labeled with the fire rating in accordance with Table 716.3
Fire-rated glass is specially designed to prevent the spread of flames and smoke, and depending on product makeup, the transfer of radiant and conductive heat. The product’s rating, from 20 minutes to three hours, is determined through rigorous testing conducted at independent laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.® (UL). The rating reflects the amount of time the material has been tested to remain in place to help stop the spread of fire and smoke. This is called “compartmentation.” The introduction of glass ceramic products for fire-rated applications in the 1980s took compartmentation to the next level, creating many new opportunities and uses. These wirefree products look similar to ordinary window glass, providing great design flexibility. As with wired glass, fire-rated glass ceramics can withstand the thermal shock of water from sprinklers or fire hoses. Where impact safety is required, they are available with up to Category II impact-safety ratings (CPSC 16CFR 1201) (See safety glazing sidebar). This is the highest standard impact-safety rating available, and indicates the glass can safely withstand an impact similar to that of a full-grown, fast-moving adult. Some other important fire-rated glass ceramic considerations include:
Fire-rated glass and frames can be described as either fire-protective or fire-resistive. While fire-protective products stop flames and smoke, they are not a barrier to radiant and conductive heat. This includes products, such as traditional wired glass, glass ceramic, hollow metal steel frames, etc. These applications typically may not exceed 25 percent of the aggregate length of the wall and may not exceed 120 square feet per opening. In addition, products with fire-ratings over 20 minutes must pass the required hose stream test. Fire-resistive products, including both glass and frames, are designed to stop flames, smoke and radiant and conductive heat transfer. These are tested to fire resistance standards for wall construction and therefore classified as a wall rather than an opening (i.e., window). Both the glass and frames must block the passage of radiant heat. Fire-resistive framing is rated up to 120 minutes and is required as an assembly, meaning both glass and framing. It’s not only fire-rated, but is also hose-stream tested, a barrier to heat and positive pressure tested. Several framing options are available including filled profile systems, aluminum-clad systems, butt-glazed systems, and various curtain wall systems, such as structural glazing, among others. In addition, fire-rated products can be used in exterior applications, as well as glass flooring, among other specialty applications. Due to these systems being tested to the same fire test standards as wall construction, they are not limited to the total area or individual opening size limitations of fire-protective assemblies.
Product Name | Fire Rating | Location | Max Exposed Area (square inches) | Max. Exposed Width | Max. Exposed Height | Tape Required |
FireLite Products (NT or Plus) | 20, 45, and 60 Minute | Door | 3,204 sq. in. | 36″ | 89″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
FireLite Products | 20, 45, and 60 Minute | Wall | 3,325 sq. in. | 95″ | 95″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
FireLite Products (NT or Plus) | 90 Minute | Door | 2,034 sq. in. | 36″ | 56.5″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
FireLite Products | 90 Minute | Wall | 2,627 sq. in. | 56.5″ | 56.5″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
FireLite Products (NT or Plus) | 180 Minute or Temp Rise | Door | 100 sq. in. | 12″ | 33″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
WireLite-NT | 20 Minute | Door | 3,289 sq. in. | 34.75″ | 92″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
WireLite-NT | 45 Minute | Door/Wall | 1,296 sq. in. | 54″ | 54″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
WireLite-NT | 60 or 90 Minute | Door | 100 sq. in. | 10″ | 33″ | Closed cell PVC or pure silicone |
WireLite-NT with Pemko FG3000 glazing tape | 45 Minute | Door | 2,856 sq. in. | 34″ | 84″ | Pemko FG3000S90 |
WireLite-NT with Pemko FG3000 glazing tape | 45 Minute | Wall | 4,608 sq. in. | 100″ | 100″ | Pemko FG3000S90 |
WireLite-NT with Pemko FG3000 glazing tape | 60 Minute | Wood Door | 960 sq. in. | 12″ | 80″ | Pemko FG3000S90 |
WireLite-NT with Pemko FG3000 glazing tape | 90 Minute | Door | 552 sq. in. | 12″ | 46″ | Pemko FG3000S90 |
Product Name | Fire Rating | Passes Positive Pressure Test | Impact Resistant | Passes Thermal Shock Test | Passes Hose Stream Test | Other Options Available | Laminated |
FireLite | 20 to 90 Min | X | X | X | |||
FireLite-NT | 20 to 90 Min | X | X | X | X | ||
FireLite-Plus | 20 to 90 Min | X | X | X | X | X | |
FireLite-IGU | 20 to 90 Min | X | Optional | X | X | X | Optional |
WireLite-NT | 20 to 90 Min | X | X | X | X |
Product Name | UL 9 | UL 10B | UL 10C | NFPA 80 | NFPA 257 | NFPA 252 | ANSI Z97.1 | CPSC 16 CFR 1201 CAT I & II |
FireLite Standard (3/16″ thick) | X | X | X | X | X | |||
FireLite NT (3/16″ thick | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
FireLite Plus (5/16″ thick) | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
WireLite NT (1/4″ thick) | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Type of Wall | Wall Fire Rating | Minimum Door Fire Rating |
Fire Wall/Barrier | 4 Hour | 180 Minute |
Fire Wall/Barrier | 3 Hour | 180 Minute |
Fire Resistive Wall | 2 Hour | 120 Minute |
Fire Wall/Barrier | 2 Hour | 90 Minute |
Fire Wall/Barrier | 90 Minute | 90 Minute |
Fire Resistive Wall | 60 Minute | 60 Minute |
Other Fire Barrier | 60 Minute | 45 Minute |
Fire Partitions (Corridor) | 60 Minute | 20 Minute |
Fire Partitions (Corridor) | 30 Minute | 20 Minute |
Fire Partitions (Non-Corridor) | 60 Minute | 45 Minute |
Fire Partitions (Non-Corridor) | 30 Minute | 20 Minute |
Exterior Wall | 3 Hour | 90 Minute |
Exterior Wall | 2 Hour | 90 Minute |
Exterior Wall | 60 Minute | 45 Minute |
Smoke Barrier | 60 Minute | 20 Minute |