Can fire-rated and conventional curtain wall systems match?>
Can fire-rated glass be used as a floor?>
Can wood frames be fire-rated?>
Some areas within a building may be integral to fire and life safety efforts but not require the same stringent fire-rated criteria as an egress system. For example, when a fire service access elevator is within an enclosed lobby, it may be required to provide a smoke partition but not defense against fire. Depending on occupancy type and design features, a building may benefit from smoke-rated glass systems at the tops of stairwells, along enclosed elevator lobbies and other areas.
The 2024 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) details the requirements for smoke partitions and where they may be used in Section 710—with windows listed under 710.5.1 and doors listed under 710.5.2. Because the codes that govern a project may differ from the IBC, project teams are encouraged to consult local building codes to determine a project’s exact requirements.
Where smoke partitions are needed, smoke-rated glass and framing systems can be an ideal solution. They can meet code requirements without compromising design intentions for intuitive wayfinding and open sightlines. As a passive system, smoke-rated glazing systems provide 24/7 protection, sidelining potential failures that may occur with drop-down partitions.
The design of transparent smoke partitions can vary significantly between projects, as some applications may also require smoke-rated doors. Modular, smoke-rated glazing systems can be easily configured to a wide range of design needs without compromising visual connectivity.
For instance, SmokeSafe™ Window & Door System from Technical Glass Products (TGP) is system tested to UL 1784: Standard for Air Leakage Tests of Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives. It can be specified to include smoke-rated doors, sidelites or transoms and standalone smoke-rated glass panels, depending on the needs of an application. Able to adapt to a wide range of designs, the SmokeSafe system allows project teams to achieve a more cohesive look where multiple smoke partitions are needed.
