The evolution of fire rated glass technology: A journey through time

The advent of fire rated glass

We started our journey in the early 20th century when high-rise buildings first appeared and urbanisation was accelerating. The disastrous fires that periodically broke out in these buildings exposed the weaknesses of conventional building materials. Fire rated glass originated from the need for fire-resistant materials, which was more apparent than before.

Introduced in the early 1900s, wired glass was the first generation of fire rated glass. A web of metal wires was embedded in the glass. The glass would shatter in the extreme heat of a fire, but the wire mesh would keep the pieces together and stop the fire and smoke from spreading. This created a barrier to stop the spread of the fire, which was a major improvement in fire safety.

The shift towards safety glass

Although wired glass could withstand fire, it had disadvantages. It was prone to breaking when struck, which presented a risk to public safety. As a result, safety glass was created, a breakthrough that would influence fire rated glass technology going forward.

Laminated safety glass first became popular as a safer substitute for wired glass in the 1950s. It was made up of two glass layers with a plastic interlayer between them. The plastic layer would melt in the presence of fire and create a strong, fire-resistant barrier. Laminated safety glass is a safer option for buildings because it can withstand high temperatures without breaking.

The rise of insulated glass units (IGUs)

The 1970s were marked by a greater focus on energy efficiency in architecture. At this time, insulated glass units (IGUs), a cutting-edge technology that provided improved fire and thermal protection, were introduced.

IGUs reduced heat transfer by separating two or more glass panes with a vacuum or gas-filled space, resulting in improved insulation. An additional line of defence against fire was provided by the IGU version that is fire rated. In order to create a strong barrier against heat and flames, they included a unique fire-resistant gel that would expand in the case of a fire. This advancement, which combined fire safety with energy efficiency, represented a major step forward in the field of fire rated glass technology.

The emergence of advanced fire-resistant glazing

The field of fire rated glass technology was ready for more advancements as the 20th century came to an end. This was the time that advanced glazing solutions resistant to fire came into being. These cutting-edge devices provided superior impact resistance, superior optical clarity, and increased fire resistance.

These sophisticated fire-resistant glazings could effectively stop the transmission of radiant heat through the glass by withstanding high temperatures for extended periods of time. This revolutionised fire safety by making evacuations safer and lowering the possibility that the fire would spread to other areas of the structure.

The era of transparent fire rated glass

Our journey brings us to the dawn of the 21st century, an era marked by groundbreaking advancements in technology and design. This period witnessed the advent of transparent fire rated glass, a revolutionary product that combined the aesthetic appeal of clear glass with unparalleled fire-resistance capabilities.

Multi-layer intumescent interlayers used in transparent fire rated glass react when heated. When exposed to fire, these interlayers expand and change into a strong, opaque shield, effectively obstructing heat and flames. Because of this breakthrough, architects can now create aesthetically beautiful and light-filled spaces without sacrificing safety, a significant transformation in architectural design.