If you own a commercial building, fire-rated and bullet-proof glass are terms you’ve heard of as you worked through renovations and security upgrades.
At United Plate Glass, we work with businesses throughout Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region to determine their glass needs and related codes that regulate what is required for their building.
What is fire-rated glass?
Fire-rated glass holds back fire, smoke and heat and is harder to break than regular glass. It helps stop the spread of flames and toxic smoke, buying occupants time to evacuate. Even with the protections it offers, the glass also allows for natural light to pour in, so safety and aesthetics can co-exist.
Standard glass can crack and fail within minutes of fire exposure due to thermal stress, long before fire-rated glass reaches its rated limit. Fire-rated glass can withstand temperatures up to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit for periods ranging from 20 minutes to three hours.
There are two types of fire-rated glass.
Fire-protective glass
- Stops smoke and flames
- Does not block radiant heat (a fire could start on the opposite side)
- Size limitations apply, especially for door vision panels in higher-rated doors
- More affordable and most common
- Rated for about 20-45 minutes
Fire-resistive glass
- Stops smoke and flames
- Blocks radiant heat (almost acting as a wall)
- No size limitations
- More expensive
- Rated for up to about three hours
Where is fire-rated glass required?
Fire-rated glass is required in PA where building codes mandate fire-resistance ratings for openings, walls, doors or shafts. PA follows the International Building Code (IBC) standards, which specify distinct locations for fire-rated glazing (the glass and the framing system).
Requirements are different depending on where your business is located, so check with your municipality and local fire marshal for more specific requirements.
Fire-rated glass is marked on one of the corners of the glass. Building codes require manufacturers to permanently etch or stamp the certification label directly onto the glazing material so it remains visible after installation. A fire rating only holds if the glass, frame, seals and fasteners are tested together as an assembly.
The test includes placing the assembly into a test furnace, simulating a building fire. It needs to remain in one piece with no openings and it cannot allow flames to pass through to the other side. A hose stream test is also done, using a high-pressure fire hose to soak the assembly while still hot to measure structural integrity and resistance to thermal shock.
Many buildings require fire-rated glass, along with bulletproof glass, which we will explore below.
What is bulletproof glass?
Sometimes referred to as bullet-resistant glass or ballistic glass, bulletproof glass is designed to stop a bullet from passing through the glass without fragmenting the protected side. Depending on the threat level of a building, glass can be chosen based on ratings.
The industry recognized standard for bullet-resisting materials is UL 752. Levels 1-3 (handgun protection); Levels 4-8 (rifle protection); and Levels 9-10 (extreme/military protection).
As with the fire-rated glass, the rating for bulletproof glass applies not only to the glass, but also the frame and anchoring hardware.
Buildings like banks, gas stations and pharmacies typically use a lower level rating, whereas facilities like schools, healthcare facilities, courtrooms and government buildings employ a higher level rating.
We can help you determine the risk level for your building and provide the options you have for bulletproof glass.
When you bring us in on a fire-rated or bullet-resistant glazing project (and many buildings need both), you’re working with a team that understands both the technical requirements and the local code landscapes.
UPG is third-party audited and verified by the North American Contractor Certification (NACC) program, which independently confirms our quality, safety, and business practices meet a recognized industry standard.
If you are looking to build, renovate or upgrade security, reach out to UPG and we can walk you through the process of choosing fire-rated and bulletproof glass to keep your building safe and secure.