· 8 min read
Fire Rated Glass Partitioning in Commercial Fit-Outs
How fire-rated glass partitions are specified and delivered in commercial fit-outs: fire strategy, ratings, tested assemblies, doors, coordination and certification.
Key takeaways
- The fire strategy sets required ratings and locations.
- Only tested assemblies, installed as tested, achieve the rating.
- Fire doors need certified ironmongery and closers.
- Certification and documentation must follow installation.
Start with the fire strategy
The fire engineer’s strategy defines compartments, protected routes and the ratings needed. Glazing design should follow it from the outset. Our commercial interior glazing hub explains how we coordinate with design teams, and our plain-English fire glazing guide explains the ratings.
Tested assemblies
Fire resistance is proven by testing complete assemblies. Pane sizes, frames, glazing beads, seals and fixings must all fall within the tested or assessed scope. Substituting components invalidates the rating.
Fire doorsets
Glazed fire doors must be certified doorsets with compatible frames, intumescent and smoke seals, closers and approved ironmongery. Access control hardware must also be compatible.
Coordination on site
Fire-rated glazing interfaces with fire-stopping at the head and junctions, and with services penetrations. Clear responsibility for fire-stopping must be agreed in the package.
Certification and handover
Handover should include product certificates, installation records and maintenance guidance, forming part of the building’s safety information.
Questions
Can fire-rated glazing be acoustic too?
Yes, many fire-rated systems also have tested acoustic performance.
