Architects have always pushed the limits of what building products can do, and fire-rated glazing is no exception. This session will show how fire-rated glazing has evolved from small door lights and openings using wired glass and ceramics to floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall, multitasking fire-resistive glazing systems. Through case studies demonstrating these innovative design applications in real-world settings, you'll see how architects continue to push the boundaries of what fire-rated glass can do.
Learning Objectives
- Review the history of fire-rated glass, from foreign-made wire glass and ceramics to clear, high-performance, U.S.-made solutions.
- Explore the difference between fire-protective and fire-resistive glazing and how the International Building Code distinguishes between these two applications.
- Learn how the architectural community's demand for large sizes, increased optical clarity, unobstructed views, and thermal performance have shaped fire-rated glazing product development.
- Discover the importance of multifunctional fire-resistive glazing products providing additional performance features such as protection against hurricanes, blasts, ballistics, and forced entry.