Fire rated windows are an integral part of a building's fire safety system and regular fire window maintenance is an important process to ensure the system remains compliant. Below we take a closer look at the E60 fire window, a quality fire window that is used in a wide range of applications where boundary protection standards must be met.
Applications of the E60 Defender Fire Window
The E60 fire window is made from the RP Technik 55N profile and Defender E safety glass. It is typically used as a boundary window in external walls to provide protection to a building in the case that a fire occurs in an adjacent building or location.
The E60 fire window is used where Clause C3.4 of the Building Code of Australia and National Construction Code needs to be met for boundary protection. This may include use in buildings and structures such as:
residential complexes
homes
offices and business premises
hospitals
schools and education facilities
public buildings
car parks
shopping centers
computer rooms
high rise buildings
apartments
Australian Standards for fire rated windows
In Australia, there are strict regulations governing the fire safety systems of commercial and residential buildings. This includes regulations surrounding the installation, maintenance, and repairs of fire-rated windows.
The entire window system, including the glass, window frame, hinges, and any associated hardware is required to meet the particular fire resistance levels (FRLs) according to the Building Code of Australia and the National Construction Code.
The entire window system must be assessed in line with AS1530.4 and certified accordingly. Installation and window repairs must be carried out by an accredited installer that is approved by the manufacturer. Regular maintenance is mandatory to ensure that the window continues to meet current building regulations and provides adequate protection in the case of a fire.
What is Fire Resistance Level for fire-rated windows?
Fire safety systems like fire doors and windows are assigned a Fire Resistance Level (FRL), sometimes misnamed as a fire rating. An FRL is indicated by three numbers such as 60/60/60. These numbers indicate how well the system performs when subjected to fire in test conditions. The three numbers represent:
Structural Adequacy
Structural adequacy is how well the system can continue to support what it is designed to support when subject to fire. Since windows are not structural building elements, they are not assigned a number for this category. A dash "-" is written in its place.
Integrity
Integrity refers to how well the system can prevent the spread of flames and hot gases. In other words, how long until any holes or gaps form when there is a fire on one side of the door? The E60 is rated 60 for this category, which indicates it can resist the spread of flames and hot gases for 60 minutes under test conditions.
Insulation
The number given for insulation indicates how long the system can resist heat transfer or how long until the system reaches a critical temperature. Windows, including the E60, that are not manufactured with thermal insulation are given a "-" for this category.
E60 Window Maintenance and Care
It is critical that fire-rated windows are maintained regularly. Not only does regular servicing help maintain the aesthetics of the window, but it also helps make sure the system is kept in good condition and will do its job in case of a fire. Follow the fire window maintenance instructions below for the best results.
Cleaning the E60 fire window
The glass panels should be kept clean in order to maintain aesthetics and visibility. Cleaning can be done with a soft, clean non-abrasive cloth and mild soap, detergent, or non-abrasive window cleaning solution. Using aggressive cleaners or abrasive cleaning cloth can damage the glass, reducing visibility and attractiveness.
After applying the mild soap or cleaning solution, the window panels should be rinsed immediately with clean water. Then any water that remains on the panels should be removed with a dry, non-abrasive cloth.
Regular inspections
Fire-rated windows should be checked regularly to ensure they continue to meet Australian Standards. When inspecting the E60 fire rated windows, you should look for:
Glazing beads – these should be adequately fixed
Seals – check if these are damaged or degenerated
Body of window frame – it should be anchored to the wall and not allow any movement
Metal components – check that there is no oxidation on any of the metal components
Glass – inspect the glass closely for any fractures
Advantages of Defender E safety glass
Defender E is a single-pane fire-rated safety glass that meets all requirements and improves safety in a wide range of applications. Defender E glass is:
Toughened. Toughened, pre-stressed glass has been tempered during production with heat and cold which greatly improves its strength, durability, heat resistance, and shatter resistance.
Monolithic. Monolithic glass is a single sheet of architectural glass instead of laminated or insulated glass.
Borosilicate. Borosilicate glass contains boron trioxide, a compound that greatly improves the glass's ability to cope with extreme temperature changes.
If E safety glass breaks, it follows the typical result for toughened glass in that it breaks into small pieces which are less dangerous than larger glass fragments. E-safety glass meets the requirements of statutory accident insurance and the Health and Safety at Work Act, making it an ideal choice for commercial, residential, and public buildings.
Why choose Australian Fire Control?
Australian Fire Control is a leading passive fire protection expert, offering the highest standard fire-rated windows which are suitable for a wide variety of applications.
Our steel-framed window systems are manufactured in-house in Western Australia and are subject to robust testing and quality checks to ensure compliance with Australian Standards. Whatever your needs are, we can manufacture window systems in any combination of fire, light transmission, energy, and acoustic performance.
For more information about fire window maintenance, manufacture, or installation, speak with our team today to see how we can assist.