Blog

Savings Strategy When Specifying 45 Minute Fire Protective Glass New technology allows designers the freedom of large expanses of glazing at less than the cost of standard wall construction. Have you ever experienced “sticker shock” when given the budget for ceramic fire protective glass planned for use in your project? Or were you ever in...

SAFTI FIRST started the new year with a bang announcing its newest patent-pending SuperClear 45-HS-LI (hose stream, low-iron) product – a revolutionary, 45-minute, fire rated glazing product that is set to disrupt the market – in a good way. Here’s why: SuperClear 45-HS-LI is the only choice for 45-minute glazing because wire glass, ceramics (filmed...

While others may say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” I don’t subscribe to this way of thinking. In fact, I have found myself at odds with individuals or entire organizations because I believed there was a better way of doing something – that there is always room for improvement. I first got into...

In commercial construction, we refer to the International Building Code (IBC) as a base code standard for protecting public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction of buildings. Published by the International Code Council (ICC), the IBC has been adopted throughout the United States and in some countries in the Middle...

Transparency where your fire rated glass comes from In the last decade or so, American consumers have demanded more transparency when it comes to the products that they buy.  Architects and building owners are starting to apply the same principle to the building products that they select and purchase for their projects.  Whether it’s meeting...

A couple of weeks ago, we saw an article published by TYCO, a sprinkler manufacturer, pushing for their alternate 1-2 hour wall assembly using their special purpose deluge sprinkler and tempered glass. In the article, they make the case that tempered glass and deluge sprinklers are cheaper compared to 1-2 hour fire resistive glazing assemblies....

It’s undeniable that Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has built a reputation as a premiere agency that tests and lists fire rated glazing products. In addition to doing a tremendous job at testing and listing products, UL is also an accredited standards developer in the US: For fire protective (or fire-protection-rated) glazing, UL has developed UL 9,...

It may look like a regular window, but these advanced fire resistive glazing systems are recognized in the code as transparent walls because of its ability to block smoke, flames and significantly limit the passage of dangerous radiant heat. This month, Architect’s Guide to Glass called exterior applications of fire rated glazing as the “the...

International glazing community celebrates innovation at the Glasstec show in Dusseldorf, 2016 The recently concluded Glasstec tradeshow in Dusseldorf, Germany is an event that I look forward to attending every 2 years. With 9 exhibition halls showcasing over 1,235 exhibitors from 52 countries and with over 40,000 visitors from 100 countries walking the show, it...

Between regular updates to fire rated code requirements in the IBC and several fire rated glazing product choices, choosing the correct and code approved fire rated glazing product can be confusing. This why over the years, we’ve come up with several articles, newsletters, technical bulletins and case studies on several topics ranging from IBC updates,...