For many building developers and architects it can be difficult trying to balance fire safety requirements with aesthetic design. The truth is you don’t have to compromise on design to make your development fire safe. Fire rated glass doors offer a versatile solution for buildings where aesthetic integrity is a high priority.
Can glass doors be fire rated?
Thanks to great advances in technology, there are now more options than ever when it comes to glass fire-rated systems. This enables architects and building developers more flexibility when it comes to incorporating fire protection elements into their building design.
Glass allows more natural light into a building, creating a sense of openness and spaciousness. In addition, many open-plan office designs utilise glass to compartmentalise a space while still maintaining a sense of connection and accessibility. Shopping centres, hotels and retail spaces make use of glass elements to create a more inviting space for the public.
Glass fire-rated doors can help architects achieve these objectives while also meeting fire protection regulations. Fire-rated doors play a critical role in the fire safety of commercial and residential buildings by slowing down the spread of fire and smoke. In the case of a fire, they help compartmentalise the building and create safe passageways for occupants to escape.
Fire Resistance Levels for glass doors
Glass fire doors are given a Fire Resistance Level (FRL) according to the Building Code of Australia. The FRL indicates how well the fire door resists the spread of fire under strict test conditions. An FRL is given as three numbers such as 120 / 120 / 120.
The numbers stand for:
Structural adequacy – How long it can maintain its structural integrity when exposed to fire. Since doors are not considered structural elements, glass fire doors are usually given a “-” for this category.
Integrity – How long the door can resist the spread of flames and hot gases.
Insulation – How long the door can prevent the spread of fire due to heat transfer?
What are the advantages of glass fire doors?
If you are required to install a fire-rated door in your commercial or residential property, why choose a glass door over timber or steel?
Just like the other options, glass fire doors undergo strict testing to ensure they can resist the spread of flames and heat in the case of a fire. At Australian Fire Control, we supply a range of options that are certified to Australian standards. You can rest assured that our glass fire doors offer a high standard of fire protection.
In addition to their fire protection properties, glass fire doors have a number of other advantages:
Appearance – More and more modern buildings are utilising glass in their design because of its superior aesthetic properties. Thanks to their minimalist and unobtrusive design, glass doors can be installed for a seamless finish in modern spaces.
Visibility – Glass windows and doors can transmit light and help create a more spacious and open indoor environment. Increasing the natural lighting inside offices and other workplaces has been shown to have a positive effect on the mental well-being of occupants.
Versatility – Glass doors can be manufactured and installed in a variety of designs to suit the specific application. Whether you require sliding, hinged, single or double-leaf fire-rated doors, you can achieve a highly functional and attractive result with glass fire doors.
Acoustics – Fire rated glass offers acoustic benefits thanks to its multi-layered structure. Combining glass fire doors with other sound absorbing elements can help reduce unwanted sounds and create a more inviting indoor environment.
Types of fire rated glass doors
Automatic fire doors – In the event of a fire all fire-rated doors must be closed in order to operate properly. Automatic fire doors are designed to close upon a signal from an alarm or smoke detection system. If the door is required to be open during normal function, a magnetic hold-open device is used. The door should not be obstructed or held open manually in any way.
Sliding glass doors – Single and double-leaf sliding doors are ideal for applications where saving space is an important consideration. For example, hotel lobbies, office buildings or shopping centres. At Australian Fire Control, we offer sliding glass fire doors that keep a fire resistance class of EI 15 and EI 30 when exposed to fire from both sides.
Hinged glass doors – Hinged glass doors are highly versatile and good for a wide range of applications in schools, offices, retail properties and residential buildings. They can be constructed as single or double-leaf doors and installed in internal or external partition walls.
Aluminium framed glass doors – Aluminium framing for fire-rated doors offers a number of advantages: it’s lightweight, corrosion resistant, attractive and cost-effective. Australian Fire Control offers Aluprof’s advanced aluminium framing which allows for an attractive architectural finish.
Steel framed glass doors – Steel is one of the strongest and most robust materials available for framing glass doors. We offer RP Technik steel frames that offer superior strength, security and longevity for many applications.
Get high-quality fire-resistant fire doors from Australian Fire Control
Australian Fire Control is Australia’s leading Passive Fire Control Specialist. We manufacture a wide range of fire-rated glass doors including automatic sliding doors and hinged doors with an aluminum or steel frame.
With a wide range of options available, we can ensure that you have an attractive design while meeting all relevant fire safety requirements. All our systems are compliant with AS 1530.4, AS1905.1 and/or BS-EN standards.
For more information about our fire-rated glass systems, please get in touch with our team at 1300 226 820. We look forward to hearing from you.
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