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City planners, architects, and builders greatly benefit when they use an innovative and durable fire-resistant glazing system within their commercial spaces. This reaps several benefits, not the least of which is staying compliant with new federal fire safety code requirements. Fire, smoke and radiant heat transfer protection precautions are life-saving aspects in modern architecture.

 

The Growing Urgency for Fire Resistant Glazing Systems in 2020

In the U.S. alone, fire-related deaths have significantly increased since the 1970s, with over $23 billion in dollar losses were incurred as a result of structural fires in 2017. New figures reveal that at least one fire department in the nation has to respond to a fire every 24 seconds.

Apart from the immense damage wreaked by the fire and smoke to the structural core of the building and its contents, a majority of casualties occur due to inhalation of the byproducts of combustion from a structural fire.

 

How Fire Resistant Glass Works

This is why fire-resistant glazing systems have become a centrepiece in architectural plans. They protect people, property, and tap into several multi-functional aspects such as enhancing the visual appeal of the structure. Unlike fire-protective glass, these systems do not only prevent the spread of smoke and fire, but they also act as a heat-barrier, in that they prevent radiant and conductive heat from transferring from room to room.

Essentially, the fire, smoke, and radiant heat do not reach the items on the protected side of the glazing system, thus preventing their combustion. Auto-ignition can occur if temperatures rise above the flashpoint. Items in an adjacent room can spontaneously combust without a pilot flame.

Fire-resistant glass is a laminated assembly; one that has several layers of glass separated by heat resistant interlayers. It must be incorporated by architects, especially when the building safety code demands an assembly of this nature. This usually goes hand in hand with stipulations dictating that the temperature rise on the protected side should go no higher than 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Optimize Fire Performance With Cutting-Edge Glazing Systems

At Greenlite Glass Systems, our fire-resistant glazing solutions are fully tested for their mechanic stability and approved for immediate use.

These protection levels are defined as per specific time durations as follows: 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes. Aside from the standard levels, the systems can be engineered to have custom protection levels should the architect so wish. Fire-resistant glazing applications are incorporated into partitions, doors, decking, windows, stairwells, and walkable skylights to optimize their fire performance.

Besides safety, these glazing systems focus on “open” concepts, in that they allow plenty of natural lighting to penetrate into the facility, creating a warm, vibrant and comfortable atmosphere.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most effective glazing applications that meet local construction and fire safety norms.

 

CONTRAFLAM Structure

CONTRAFLAM Structure is a revolutionary fire protective and resistive butt-glazed solution that also displays impressive fire-resistant properties for up to 120 minutes. Its architectural appeal is another aspect that boosts this assembly’s popularity in architectural circles, given that CONTRAFLAM Structure resembles an uninterrupted floor to a ceiling glass wall with subtle silicone joints.

Safety is ushered to the forefront without compromising on the system’s ability to allow plenty of daylight to enter the building, creating a fresh environment. CONTRAFLAM Structure has been comprehensively tested to perform even in the face of high impact resistance and live loads. Contraflam has both EPS and HPD certificates for sustainability.

 

CONTRAFLAM

CONTRAFLAM, a tempered safety glass assembly, provides fire resistance for 60 to 180 minutes. The wireless assembly holds an environmentally-friendly chemical mixture that fills the glass chambers in the event of a fire. Contraflam has both EPS and HPD certificates for sustainability. This clear system allows for uninterrupted vision into fire-affected zones so that occupants can map out a safe route of escape.

CONTRAFLAM serves its purpose well as an interior radiant heat barrier and an exterior fire-resistant system. The application is great for those locations such as accidental human impact safety-rated zones. 

 

LITEFLAM

LITEFLAM is Greenlite Glass Systems’ proprietary fire-rated glass system with immense load-bearing capacities. The assembly has a certified test-listed fire rating from 1 to 2 hours. It has been deemed as the only exterior glazed system and Insulated Glass assembly in North America capable of doing so.

Architects and builders reach for this novel solution, owing to the fact that it is modular and allows for design flexibility. Additionally, LITEFLAM allows architects to request decorative colour frits and sandblasted glass without compromising on its fire rating properties.

Aside from its durability, LITEFLAM offers moisture– and slip-resistant surface and comes with a standard live loading capacity of 100 psf – but can be designed to withstand higher loads if required.

With a slim 3.5” profile, LITEFLAM is comprised of CONTRAFLAM intumescent glass, which is laminated and tempered glass. Solar control coatings are available for added solar control. Because the assembly is essentially composed of individual glass panels, the repair is possible without pulling apart the entire system. A sacrificial sheet is also an option that allows for only the top light to be replaced rather than the entire IGU unit.

It offers excellent protection against conductive and radiant transfer of heat as well as acts as a barrier to smoke and fire.

 

VDS Fire Frame Assembly

The VDS curtain assembly includes partitions, doors, walls and window frames. It can be paired with fire-rated glazing applications to further enhance fire-resistive properties.

VDS is structurally sound and has a clean and streamlined look. The system offers total design creativity, and when used with CONTRAFLAM, can act as a fire-resistive heat barrier for periods of one hour and above.

 

VDS CURTAIN WALL

The VDS CURTAIN WALL is an advanced fire-rated steel curtain that is incorporated in doors, windows, partitions, etc. Like its predecessor, it offers fire-resistive properties when used in tandem with fire-rated glazing products. For exterior applications, this system acts as a barrier to radiant heat for 60 to 120 minutes.

Need a FREE quote or more information?

Contact us today by doing one of the following:
1. Call us at (778) 285-8530
2. Fill out the form below
3. Send an email to info@greenliteglass.com

Our industry professionals would love to help!

 

Searching for creative ways to allow more natural light into your building or design project? Look no further than LITEFLAM – Greenlite Glass Systems’ patented fire-rated glass and first-ever exterior fire-rated glass floor and walkable skylight system. Designed to take advantage of the natural light surrounding your building, LITEFLAM will meet and exceed your design expectations, working seamlessly with your existing design to create a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.

As an industry leader in North America and a reputable walkable skylights manufacturer, Greenlite carries a variety of fire-rated glass products to help take facilities like yours to the next level. Interested to learn why so many architects, designers and developers prefer utilizing skylights over artificial lighting in their projects? Keep reading about the benefits of walkable skylights below:

Great Energy Savings

In comparison to old, energy-guzzling incandescent light bulbs, walkable skylights like LITEFLAM offer incredible savings on energy bills for commercial facilities. Often installed in roof plazas and subterranean levels of buildings, walkable skylights make good use of otherwise forgotten spaces in facilities while simultaneously inviting natural light into the property.

Beyond its energy efficiency, LITEFLAM is also a cost-effective lighting solution that helps facilities like yours save on energy costs. As LITEFLAM often reduces and eliminates, the need to use artificial lighting during the day, facilities with skylights will notice a dramatic decrease in operational costs after making the switch.

Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

Help your commercial property go green this year when you implement LITEFLAM walkable skylights in your facility. Beyond simply granting you access to great savings on operational costs, walkable skylights can also help facilities like yours reduce their overall carbon footprint.

Thanks to LITEFLAM’s ability to capture and make good use of natural light, your facility will no longer be dependant on artificial light sources. In turn, this dramatically reduces the amount of energy your building consumes. When your business consumes less energy, it also creates less greenhouse gas emissions that impact climate change–a positive step towards protecting our environment.

Aesthetically Pleasing

On top of helping your facility reduce its carbon footprint, LITEFLAM walkable skylights also offer tremendous design flexibility to architects, developers and designers. Unlike artificial light sources that come in the same standard designs, LITEFLAM walkable skylights are highly customizable and can be tailored to meet your building or project’s existing aesthetic.

Featuring a slim profile of 3.5” in overall glass thickness, LITEFLAM can be customized with decorative colour frits and sand-blasted glass to add a splash of personality to your building. Not sure if or how you should customize your walkable skylights? Contact Greenlite Glass Systems, your innovative walkable skylights manufacturer to discuss your options.

Helps Maintain Indoor Temperatures Year-Round

Enhance the comfort of your occupants while simultaneously reducing your energy bills with LITEFLAM. Beyond adding aesthetic value to your facility, LITEFLAM also features unique solar coating options for supplementary solar control.

Gone are the days of fluctuating temperatures in your building as a result of the sun, rain and snow. With LITEFLAM, your building can now easily stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter thanks to its unique solar coating features.

 

 

Need a FREE quote or more information?

 

1. Call us at +1 778 285-8530
2. Fill out the form below
3. Send an email to info@greenliteglass.com

 

Our industry professionals would love to help!

No matter what industry you’re in, your employees’ safety should always come first. At Greenlite, we want to help your facility keep fire, flames, and smoke out in case of emergencies; to do so, our consultants recommend implementing fire-rated curtain walls in your facility. Constructed with durable materials such as fire-rated steel and/or glass, these walls step in as a firestop when necessary, slowing and preventing the passage of flames within the building.

With its tremendous capacity to protect and shield, we believe that all facilities should consider making the investment. As a reputable and knowledgeable fire-rated curtain wall supplier, we want to help business owners understand the benefits associated with it. To discover how fire-rated curtain walls will prove advantageous to your facility, keep reading:

Seamlessly Helps You Divide The Workspace

In comparison to permanent walls, fire-rated curtain walls are a more economical way to create different work enclosures within a large facility. Not only do they allow for fire resistance and design flexibility, but these curtain walls also allow facilities to keep dust, debris, and noise contained within their designated areas. Depending on what industry your facility is in, this is a very important factor to keep in mind when ensuring the safety of your employees and/or occupants.

At Greenlite, our experienced consultants suggest implementing VDS curtain walls to help you seamlessly divide your workplace. With streamlined aesthetic, clean lines, and tight tolerances, the VDS curtain walls will provide your facility with a high degree of design flexibility, aesthetic appeal and security.

Energy Efficient

When implemented correctly, fire rated curtain walls provide an aesthetically pleasing, modern finish to facilities while simultaneously delivering noteworthy thermal performance. Working to not only resist heat and flames, fire rated curtains help facilities keep excess air, wind and unwanted moisture out, while keeping occupants in.

Fire rated curtain walls also allow for more natural light to filtrate into the building, helping to reduce overall operational costs. With an increased supply of natural light and exceptional thermal performance, facilities will gain control over their energy consumption and notice a significant improvement in cost overtime.

Ensure Safety Of Your Occupants

In case of an emergency, fire rated curtain walls act as a firestop to contain and prevent flames and smoke from spreading within your facility. Protect and ensure the safety of your occupants by investing in fire rated curtains like the VDS Curtain Wall. Stringently tested to help your facility meet its building’s fire safety standards and protect its occupants, the VDS curtain wall has been listed, labelled, and approved by the Underwriters Laboratories ® and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada. Boasting fire ratings from 60 to 120 minutes in both interior and exterior openings, VDS Curtain Walls are the preferred fire-resistive and fire-protective framing solution facilities use today.

Looking to purchase fire rated curtain walls for your facility? Greenlite Glass Systems is a leading consultant in the North American architectural glass industry and is a proud distributor of VDS Curtain Walls.

To get a FREE quote or more information?

Contact us today by doing one of the following:
1. Call us at (778) 285-8530
2. Fill out the form below
3. Send an email to info@greenliteglass.com

Our industry professionals would love to help!