Fire-resistant glass

Protection against fire

The continuing tendency to use glass in internal and external applications ensures the pleasant appearance of buildings and removes the barrier between the building and the outside world. However, the glazed separators must in many cases meet the fire-fighting regulations relating to flame-retardation and the safe evacuation of the building users. Those requirements are very often met through the use of fire-resistant glass.

PRESS GLASS offers PYROBELITE & PYROBEL fire-resistant glass manufactured by the AGC. It is multi-layered glass, where the sheets of float glass are connected by means of intermediate layers made of gel, which expands under high temperature. During a fire, when the temperature rises to 120°C, the gel layers expand forming a hard, non-transparent layer, which temporarily prevents fire propagation.

Since we can combine the PYROBELITE and PYROBEL glass with laminated, coloured, reflexive and low-emission glass, we offer a wide range of glass panes combined with fire-resistant glass. This type of glass may perform different functions, such as: protection against burglary and noise, thermal and light insulation. As we have possibilities to process the fire-resistant glass, all our fire-resistant products are available with very short lead times. It must be remembered that the process of transforming fire-resistant glass into double-glazed units may not be commissioned to random manufacturers. That process requires specific manufacturing discipline due to the necessity of protecting the glass edges from coming into contact with the gel bonding of the panes by means of special aluminium foil. Direct contact with aggressive substances in the air or in water may lead to the fire-resistant glass layers losing their fire-resistant properties.

Similarly, special precautions must be applied during the fitting of double-glazed sheets in window frames in order to prevent the breaking of the protective layer securing the edges. The destruction of the protective layer may lead to the glass losing its properties and result in quicker flame propagation, as well as the inability to evacuate people from the building. In the event of the time spell between the glass manufacture and fitting in the window frame being very long, the inside surface of the fire-resistant glass must be protected from theUV radiation, as it is not protected by means of the PVB foil. Before orders are processed, clients ought to be notified of the general criteria defined by glass manufacturers, which must be followed during its application. The company which processes the glass sheets into double-glazed units is not responsible for the loss of the fire-resistant properties as a result of inappropriate fitting.

Classification

Our products meet two basic criteria specified in building standards:

fire-proof (class E), creating a barrier preventing the propagation of fire, smoke and gases to neighbouring areas, which are not on fire – the PYROBELITE – type glass;

fire-insulation (class EI), creating a barrier preventing the propagation of fire, smoke and gases to neighbouring areas, which are not on fire, pre-venting the propagation of high temperatures, which ensures safe evacuation of people – PYROBEL – type glass.

The average temperature on the surface unaffected by flames ought not to rise by more than 140 °C above the ambient temperature. To be precise, the temperature ought not to exceed 180 °C. In order to specify the time in which the glass meets the above requirements under the influence of fire, the glass classification symbol is supplemented with a numerical value indicating the time (in minutes), in which the fire-resistant glass meets the fireproof and the fire-insulation requirements. The PYROBELITE and PYROBEL glass types have been tested in many countries against the local standards in force. Both glass types were also subjected to fire tests in Instytut Techniki Budowlanej (the Building Research Institute) in Warsaw, as a result of which they have received a number of Polish technical approvals. However, it must be remembered that in accordance with the generally applicable regulations, certifications are not issued solely for fire-resistant glass.

The certifications relate to complex glass systems and not to their particular elements. The investor can not therefore demand a supplier to submit a document classifying a glass pane with respect to its fire-resistant properties. In order to obtain the certification, one must apply to the manufacturer or the supplier of system solutions. On account of the fact that fire-resistant glass may be built in internally or externally as monolithic or double-glazed glass, the Glaverbel and PRESS GLASS offer includes glass types, which are quite different with respect to their construction. On ac-count of the fact that the gel binding of the glass is characterised by high sensitivity to UV radiation, the fire-resistant glass used externally must be secured by means of the PVB foil on the side of the glass most exposed to UV radiation. It is assumed that in the case of the transparent external glass not having a safety layer in the form of the PVB foil, the fire-resistant glass for internal applications may be fitted within a minimum of 3.5 metres from that external glass.

Types of products

TYPES OF PRODUCT

Trade name	Type	Thickness [mm]	Thickness tolerance [mm]	Minimal dimension * [mm]	Weight [kg/ m²]	R_w (C,C_tr) [dB]	L_T [%]	Safety class EN 12600
PYROBELITE 7	EW30	7,9	+/- 0,9	100 x 500	17	34 (-0,-3)	89	3(B)3
PYROBELITE 9 EG	EW30	11,3	+/- 1,0	100 x 500	25	35 (-1,-2)	87	1(B)1
PYROBELITE 12	EI 20, EW 60	12,3	+/- 1,0	100 x 500	27	36 (-1,-3)	86	2(B)2
PYROBELITE 12 EG	EI 20, EW 60	16,1	+/- 1,0	100 x 500	35	38 (-1,-3)	85	1(B)1
PYROBEL 8	EI15, EW30	9,3	+/- 1,0	100 x 500	20	34 (-1,-3)	88	–
PYROBEL 8 EG	EI 15, EW 30	13,1	+/- 1,3	100 x 500	28	36 (-1,-3)	86	1(B)1
PYROBEL 16	EI 30, EW 60	17,3	+/- 1,0	100 x 500	40	39 (-1,-3)	84	2(B)2
PYROBEL 16 EG	EI 30, EW 60	21,2	+/- 1,5	100 x 500	48	39 (-1,-3)	83	1(B)1
PYROBEL 17 N	EI 45	17,8	+/- 1,6	100 x 500	40	39 (-0,-3)	86	1(B)1
PYROBEL 17 N EG	EI 45	21,6	+/- 1,8	100 x 500	48	40 (-1,-3)	85	1(B)1
PYROBEL 25	EI 60	26,6	+/- 2,0	100 x 500	60	40 (-1,-3)	81	1(B)1
PYROBEL 25 EG	EI 60	30,4	+/- 2,0	100 x 500	68	43 (-1,-4)	80	1(B)1
PYROBEL 30	EI 90	30,0	+/- 2,5	100 x 500	69	42 (-1,-4)	83	1(B)1
PYROBEL 30 EG	EI 90	33,7	+/- 2,8	100 x 500	77	43 (-1,-4)	81	1(B)1
PYROBEL 53	EI 120	52,5	+/- 3,0	100 x 500	122	45 (-1,-4)	72	1(B)1
PYROBEL 53 EG	EI 120	56,2	+/- 3,0	100 x 500	130	46 (-2,-5)	71	1(B)1
PYROBEL 19H	EI 30	19,1	+/- 1,5	–	43	38 (-1,-3)	81	1(B)1
PYROBEL 23H	EI 45	23,7	+/- 1,8	–	54	39 (-0,-3)	80	1(B)1
PYROBEL 28H	EI 60	28,4	+/- 2,0	–	63	41 (-0,-3)	78	1(B)1
Relates to double-glazed glass sheets *Dimensions tolerance [mm] +/- 2 mm EG – External glazing H – Horizontal glazing

What should you know when buying fire resistant glass?

The information provided below contains additional remarks which enable interested parties to find out more details associated with purchasing fire resistant glass units. Due to the requirements with respect to fire resistant glass units, the production and ordering must involve additional procedures which is not the case with other products. The standard market offer of PRESS GLASS comprises of double glazed fire resistant glass, designed for use in interior or outdoor partition walls. Single glazed fire resistant glass units for outdoor partition walls are available in the non-standard market offer. New cutting and glazed lines for fire resistant glass units enable the production of glass units with dimensions of 2,700 by 5,000 mm. The maximum dimensions used are however limited by technical approvals that define the maximum homologated dimensions of the sides, which normally do not exceed 2,700 mm.

While ordering glass units it is essential to check the maximum dimensions allowed in the approval each time. Due to the stability of work with regard to the glass units under the force of fire spacerbars of zinc steel or aluminium are used in the production of double glazed fire resistant glass. The use of the so-called warm edges is limited. Up to now the possibility of using plastic edges has not been considered. The thermal bridge which causes excessive infiltration of heat along the edges of the glass can be immediately reduced by the use of spacerbars of precious steel. Double glazed units are offered as standard and filled with air in a spacerbar of 8 mm width, while the full range of spacerbars involves widths between 6 to 24 mm. In the case where there is a necessity to achieve the heat transmission coefficient of U_g = 1.1 W/m²K, then glass units are filled with noble gas known as argon, with a spacerbar of 16 mm width.

Standard offer of fire resistant glazed units:

Product	Type*
VSG 44.2 Thermofloat/ 8 /Pyrobelite 7	EW 30
VSG 44.2 Thermofloat/ 8 / Pyrobel 8	EI 15
VSG 44.2 Thermofloat/ 8 / Pyrobel 16	EI 30 EW 60
VSG 44.2 Thermofloat/ 8 / Pyrobel 17N	EI 45
VSG 44.2 Thermofloat/ 8 / Pyrobel 25	EI 60
VSG 44.2 Thermofloat/ 8 / Pyrobel 30	EI 90

*The classification of resistance has been presented on the basis of tests carried out for the complete system. In the case of using another system or elements of a different system to that shown in the approvals, the classification of fire-resistance may not be achieved.

In the case of ordering double glazed reflexive solar control glass and glass which is edged in mass, it is necessary to receive advice as to the possibility of application due to the limitations associated with the heating of fire resistant glass. This is associated with the phenomenon of heat energy absorption in the glass mass, which in effect can cause degradation of the gel, which is a component of fire resistant glass, under the impact of excessive temperatures.

Construction firms that order double glazed glass often avail of forms which they prepare themselves. However, in the case of ordering fire resistant glass units, orders should be made using forms prepared by PRESS GLASS. It is necessary to provide the name of the glazing system which will involve the use of glass units and the valid number of the technical approval. Moreover, the form containing the order should include the information provided in the table below:

No.

Glass unit external + position of coating

Type of spacebar + width (mm)

Inside Glass unit

Width (mm)

Height (mm)

Quantity

Glazing system (name and number of technical approval)

PRESS GLASS marks fire resistant glass units known as Pyrobel and Pyrobelite with a permanent stamp which includes the following:

marking the type of fire resistant glass: Pyrobel or Pyrobelite
marking of classification as regards resistance
identification symbol of the producer of the glass units: PRESS GLASS
month and year of production with regard to the glass unit

Additionally, glass units for inside use are marked with an appropriate label aimed at clearly specifying the designed glazing application. Assessment of defects in fire resistance glass units is carried out on the basis of the norms known as PN-EN ISO 12543 entitled “Laminated glass and safe laminated glass”. Realization of standard orders does not exceed 14 days and the period of guarantee commences on the day of final production of the glass units.

Important production informations:

Instruction of fire-resistant glass glazing

Authorization to process the Pyrobel and Pyrobelite fire resistant glass

Advantages

May be used as single or double-glazed glass

has received a number of technical approvals — Has received a number of technical approvals

suitable for internal and external applications with an additio-nal UV filter — Suitable for internal and external applications with an additional UV ...

Enabling evacuation in the case of fire

In buildings where glass is used in partitions there is a particular risk of fire spreading quickly as a result of the low resistance to high temperatures with regard to this material. In such cases there is a danger of the lack of possibility in terms of evacuation. This threat is temporarily eliminated thanks to the use of specialized fire resistant glass known as Pyrobel and Pyrobelite.

Due to its construction fire resistant glass prevents poisonous gases and high temperatures from spreading into the adjoining spaces of a building. Under the influence of fire there is also a change in the structure of glass layers responsible for stability under the force of fire. These layers create a hard non-transparent coating. Thanks to this the users of the building gain enough time to evacuate.

Elimination of panic during a fire

Each day we spend in a building we are at the risk of a sudden fire. The moment in which such a situation takes place it is particularly important to enable the evacuation of people. The application of glass causes an additional fear as the sight of fire spreading through the glass partition causes increased panic. This can make evacuation more difficult, as well as being the reason for further losses of lives.

PRESS GLASS offers specialized fire resistant glass known as Pyrobel and Pyrobelite which in the case of fire changes its structure of layers responsible for stability during a fire. When exposed to fire, these layers create a monolithic, hard, non-transparent coating which holds back high temperatures and poisonous gases, which in turn eliminates the risk of increasing panic at the sight of fire.

Application

PYROBELITE and PYROBEL may be used where required by building regulations and where natural lighting and transparency are the key factors.

The following places are suitable for application:

hospitals and laboratories,
schools and offices,
hotels and restaurants,

theatres and museums,
shopping centres and underground stations,
banks, etc.

Movie

Cutting laminated fire-resistant glass

We constantly modify our manufacturing processes and change habits to limit the negative effect on the environment.

In order to facilitate the changes, we have adopted ISO 14001, the worldwide management system for environmental protection.