When should you use fire-rated glass partitions?

Structural glass is specially toughened to deliver practical strength alongside visual appeal – but it isn’t designed to withstand fires. If you want to guarantee the safety of a building in an emergency, you must pay attention to regulations.

While you can install glass partitions almost anywhere, certain applications will require glass that’s capable of resisting the conditions of a fire for much longer – known as fire-resistant or fire-rated glass partitions.

If you’re considering installing glass walls, glass doors, or a glass partition system in your building, then it’s essential to check the legal requirements for fire safety measures before you confirm the design and installation.

To ensure you understand the importance of fire-rated glass and when it’s necessary, this blog runs through explanations of what these partitions do, their advantages, and when and where they should be used.

So, keep reading for insights into using fire safety glass in UK buildings to keep occupants and visitors safe.

How do fire-resistant glass partitions work?

A sheet of regular toughened glass is several times stronger than float glass that hasn’t been tempered, but it’s still not strong enough to withstand the temperature of a fire – which can reach 800°C to 1,500°C or higher.

To ensure that glass is tough enough to slow the spread of fire if needed, it must be made from multiple layers of tempered glass, so it can keep flames, smoke, and heat at bay for long enough to allow successful evacuation.

The purpose of fire glass is to compartmentalise a fire for a specified amount of time, which is typically a minimum of 30 minutes, so people can escape the building and firefighters can tackle the blaze while it’s somewhat contained.

This is why fire-rated glass undergoes standardised testing to achieve a fire classification, which determines its resistance to extreme heat, smoke, and thermal shock (when cold water hitting hot glass can cause it to break).

How is fire-resistant glass rated?

In the UK, fire-rated glass is classified with letters and numbers. The letters represent resistance properties, while the numbers signify the duration in minutes that the glass should maintain these properties in a fire.

For example, E represents fire integrity and I represents insulation. E is the ability to hold back flames by not breaking in extreme heat, while I is the ability to prevent heat from transferring through the glass to the other side.

The minimum rating fire safety glass should have is E30 or EI30, which can prevent a fire from spreading for up to 30 minutes. The classification required for regulatory compliance will depend on the location and use of the glass.

At Glass Interiors, we supply fire-rated glass partitions with EI30 and EI60 classifications. EI60 offers protection against fire and heat for up to an hour, providing a greater level of safety.

What are the benefits of fire-rated glass?

This type of glazing is essential in commercial, industrial, and multi-residential buildings, which is why it’s so carefully regulated by UK building standards and British/EU safety standards.

Using fire glass partitions appropriately can be invaluable when it comes to protecting people inside the building and limiting property damage, providing the range of benefits below:

Fire compartmentalisation for increased safety

Rigorously tested to ensure their performance level, fire-resistant partitions and doors can contain the spread of flames and smoke for enough time to allow anyone in the vicinity to evacuate safely.

Compliance with building regulations and safety laws

Fire prevention and control measures are required by law, so building owners must comply with legal specifications to keep people safe and avoid penalties such as fines or custodial sentences.

Damage reduction to minimise downtime

If a fire breaks out, containing it to a smaller area for as long as possible will reduce the extent of the damage to your property, thereby reducing the repair costs and downtime until the space is fully usable again.

Modern design with customisation options

Fire safety compliance doesn’t have to mean compromising on architectural and interior design style, thanks to the aesthetic appeal and customisable nature of toughened glass partitions.

Longevity with little maintenance

Keeping glass clean is straightforward and it will be robust enough to last for many years. That said, if a fire occurs, the glass will need to be reevaluated and likely replaced to maintain the appropriate safety level.

When would you need fire-rated glass partitions?

As the main use of fire-rated glazing is to contain flames on one side for as long as possible, it’s designed to be installed in areas where there is a higher risk of fire and/or an escape route that needs to be protected in an emergency.

The specific types of glass needed are set out in the building regulations for fire safety and the locations in which to install them are stipulated in the building regulations for safety glass.

Mandatory applications may vary depending on the building layout and usage, but generally, most buildings with multiple storeys will need to incorporate fire-rated features, as there tend to be fewer escape routes on higher floors.

It’s crucial to consult and follow these regulatory guides to ensure you’re installing glass with the right specifications in the right places. So, if you want to use glass instead of standard walls or doors in settings that would require greater fire resistance, you can still do so, as long as it has the minimum fire rating.

Of course, it’s not just the fire glass doors or partitions themselves that need to meet the minimum requirements, but also the frames and seals used to install them, which must also be tested and rated.

Where can fire-rated glass be installed?

You can fit fire-rated glazing in a range of spaces to improve safety while maintaining modern design. Places where fire safety is a priority, either to create or uphold escape routes, include:

• Entrance and exit areas
• Hallways and stairwells
• Lobbies and atriums
• Internal windows and walls
• Skylights and glazed roofs
• Large open-plan floors

These spaces in public and private buildings can all benefit from fire-safe glass partitions, doors, and walls. They can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings such as:

• Apartment complexes (e.g. new blocks of flats or converted structures)
• Retail and hospitality venues (e.g. shops and restaurants)
• Commercial buildings (e.g. office blocks or multi-use shopping centres)
• Leisure facilities (e.g. hotels, gyms, and spas)
• Healthcare premises (e.g. hospitals and clinics)
• Educational institutions (e.g. schools and universities)
• Research and manufacturing facilities (e.g. laboratories and factories)
• Storage and shipping depots (e.g. warehouses and distribution centres)
• Public sites (e.g. government buildings and museums)
• Transport hubs (e.g. train stations, bus stations, and airports)

In all of these settings, fire-rated glazing can help to compartmentalise fires to reduce the risk of harm to people and disruption to the building’s operations. This is especially important in high-rise buildings or large open spaces.

However, each setting may require different specifications to comply with safety laws, so it’s necessary to consult professionals when designing and installing fire-rated glass features.

Order bespoke fire-rated glass partitions

Now you know the ins and outs of installing fire-rated glass, you should have a better understanding of when it’s required to use this type of glazing and where to find legal guidance on its specifications.

If you’ve determined your requirements and are looking to install fire-rated glass partitions or doors, we can help. Here at Glass Interiors, we’re highly experienced in supplying and fitting beautiful, functional, and safe glazing for a range of settings.

We work with TG100 fire-rated glass, which has a maximum height of 3m for partitions and doors and a 30mm aluminium profile that can be powder-coated in RAL colours. This is available in 15mm Pyranova 30 or 18mm Pyranova 30 glass if you require an EI30 rating, or 23mm Pyranova 60 glass if you need an EI60 rating.

If you have any questions about these products or you’re ready to get started placing an order, please contact our team to arrange a consultation. Either call 0203 793 5455 or email us at info@glass-interiors.co.uk and we’ll be glad to help.