Fire Doors with Glass – All You Need to Know

Fire compartmentalisation can radically slow the spread of fire, but installing opaque barriers between sections of a building is not always conducive to a pleasant working or living environment. Light, airy interiors are attractive, but not that safe. Luckily, fire doors with glass offer a great compromise, allowing natural light to circulate without impacting fire resistance.

CPFP are experts in passive fire protection. We offer professional fire door installation, maintenance, and repair all to the highest industry standards, and are fully certified by the IFCC, a UKAS accredited third party. Our 24 month package of free regular inspections ensures guaranteed compliance across all the relevant building regulations.

In this blog, we explore fire doors with glass in more detail and highlight some of their benefits.

What is Fire Rated Glass?

Ordinary glass cracks when exposed to heat and would fall out of its frame if installed in a fire door. For that reason, it’s vital that fire doors with glass offers the same degree of resistance to fire and smoke, and that the glass vision panel is not a weak spot. Fire doors are, after all, only as strong as their weakest point.

There are various options on the market when it comes to fire glass. Wired glass, for example, uses a wire frame to hold the material together when it inevitably shatters and is a common feature of schools and other institutional buildings. Laminated glass is another option, made from layers of toughened glass and intumescent gel. In the event of a fire, the heat will shatter the glass and cause the gel to swell and expand, providing insulation from heat and smoke.

There are plenty of other types of fire resistant glazing out there, but the most important thing to look for is a permanent stamp of classification which verifies its effectiveness at withstanding fire.

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What are the Benefits of Fire Doors with Glass?

Fire doors are a form of passive fire protection. They help to delay the spread of fire by dividing buildings into compartments. Fire doors that feature glass panels offer numerous additional benefits, particularly when it comes to the internal appearance of a building. From improving working life to proving invaluable during an emergency, fire doors with glass have a lot to offer. They:

• Improve the circulation of natural light, allowing buildings to be more airy and open while still fulfilling regulations
• Create more pleasant living or working environments
• Reduce overuse of artificial lighting
• Limit the risk of collisions because people can spot anyone on the other side
• Allow people to see if escape routes are clear in the event of a fire
• Help people spot anyone trapped or unconscious on other side of the door
• Prevent people inadvertently moving closer to danger

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Fire Rated Glass UK Standards

It’s important to make sure the glass in your fire door is up to scratch. According to UK Building Regulations, all glass should be tested in accordance with the ES EN 1363 standard. As well as this, BS EN 13501-2 defines the classifications of E, EW, and EI fire glass. These classifications are worked out during a Fire Resistance Test where the glass and framing are put into a test furnace. E refers to the glass’s integrity, EW to its radiation control, and EI to its insulation performance.

Integrity (E) – this classification defines how well the glass can withstand fire on one side without shattering. It is classified by the letter E, so a rating of E30 means the glass can last for 30 minutes

Radiation Control (EW) – this refers to the glass’s ability to withstand flames and hot gases as well as prevent the transfer of some heat.

Integrity and Insulation (EI) – this is the highest form of classification. It measures how well the glass can withstand fire on one side and how long it can maintain the temperature of the unexposed face to below 140°C. EI 60/30 glass would have a 60 minute integrity period and a 30 minute insulation period.

Learn more: Fire Door Regulations Explained

Get Your Building in the Clear with Passive Fire Protection

CPFP are working at the forefront of the passive fire protection industry to modify poor quality installations and ensure future protection measures are implemented the right way from day one. We’re third party accredited by the IFCC, demonstrating the high standards we adhere to. In the event of a fire, passive and structural fire protection can dramatically reduce the spread and provide vital escape time. With our team of highly skilled technicians on your side, you can rest easy knowing your building has all the necessary precautions in place.

Get in touch with CPFP today to chat things through.

Read more: Fire Prevention & Safety Tips for Offices

Read more: Why is Passive Fire Protection Important?