Fire safety in shopping centres: glazing regulations and solutions

In 21st-century Britain, all buildings need to be built safely in line with relevant industry standards.

Fire safety regulations are a key example. No longer is fire safety an add-on or half-measure. Any shopping centre project must comply with strict building regulations. This is to minimise as far as possible the spread of fire and help shoppers, staff and passersby escape.

A big part of compliance is installing certified fire-rated glass verified by a third party. Glass alone, however, can't ensure compliance. The whole assembly needs to be fire-rated – glass, frames, seals, fixings and all.

As well as paying close attention to materials, project managers must ensure the installation is compliant and meets industry standards for thermal efficiency and fire safety.

Before we go any further, it's important to note that this article isn't a substitute for glazing regulations. Always refer to the relevant documentation and seek expert advice if you're unsure about any compliance-related matter.

That said, what are the key compliance standards for fire safety glazing in shopping centres in the UK?

Key compliance standards for fire safety glazing in shopping centres in the UK

The most important document for fire safety glazing in UK shopping centres is Approved Document B.

This is a statutory guidance document within the series of UK Building Regulations. It outlines minimum fire safety standards for the design, construction and alteration of buildings in England and Wales.

It covers glazing for fire-resisting walls, doors and partitions, making it an essential resource for shopping centre architects, designers, project managers and installers.

Fire safety glazing in shopping centres must also meet testing standards such as BS EN 1363 and BS EN 1634. This ensures the entire assembly meets fire safety regulations.

Impact resistance is also an issue. Fire safety glazing in shopping centres must meet the impact safety standards in BS EN 12600. This includes low-level safety glazing below 800mm and glazing installed near doors.

Please note that while BS EN standards apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland, these countries have their own versions of Approved Document B.

Rating classifications

Glazing systems must meet the requirements set out in Approved Document B and certain BS EN standards. But how are the glazing systems themselves evaluated, whether for use in shopping centres or elsewhere?

Glazing is rated in two ways: integrity and insulation.

Integrity

Integrity, denoted with an E, is the ability of the glazing to prevent flames and hot gases from passing through to the unexposed side for a specified time.

E30 means the glass can stop the fire for 30 minutes, E60 for an hour, and so on. At Wrightstyle, our fire-rated 60 series goes up to E180 – three hours of fire protection.

Insulation

The other rating is I for insulation. This is the capacity of the glazing to limit the rise in temperature on the unexposed side.

Glass manufactured for integrity and insulation is denoted with EI. Again, common descriptions are EI30, EI60 and so on.

At Wrightstyle, our SR series curtain walls and large-span facades go up to EI120.

System assembly

Fire-rated glass on its own can't ensure fire safety compliance. This is because the entire glazing system assembly must be built for fire resistance.

This includes the whole assembly. Seals, gaskets and framing materials all need to earn the title of fire-rated.

Installation, too, affects compliance. If you install the glass without a tested frame or without the right intumescent seals, the fire rating will be invalidated.

This puts lives at risk, invalidates insurance agreements and breaches the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Consequences to non-compliance are correspondingly severe. They include unlimited fines, criminal prosecution, prohibition of access and difficulties selling the property down the line.

Who's responsible for fire safety glazing in UK shopping centres?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, shopping centre management is responsible for fire safety in communal areas. Meanwhile, retailers are responsible for fire safety within their unit boundaries.

Responsibility goes beyond getting the right glazing systems and installing them correctly. It also means having a written fire risk assessment (FRA) and regular maintenance and review of glazing, fire doors and escape routes.

What types of glass are fire-rated?

Most fire-rated glass is laminated. The fire-rated unit consists of multiple layers of glass sandwiching an intumescent (swelling) gel or foam.

Laminated glass is up to six times stronger than standard annealed glass – and when it breaks, it's designed to maintain a level of structural integrity. This makes it a popular choice for settings like shopping centres where safety is a necessity, not an option.

Other kinds of fire-rated glass include wired glass, clear modified ceramics and single-pane toughened glass. These are widely considered, however, to be less durable than their laminated counterparts.

How we can help

Here at Wrightstyle, we provide fire-rated steel and glass glazing systems for screens, curtain walls, doors and windows. These are represented in two series:

Fire-rated SR series: these are curtain walls with up to 120 minutes' E and EI.
60F1 series: doors, windows and screens from E30 to E120 and EI30 to EI60

As with all our products, our fire-rated glazing systems are put through a rigorous testing programme to ensure total compliance. From conception to fabrication, our customers are in safe hands.

So, if you're looking for high-quality fire-rated glazing systems, don't hesitate to get in touch with our experts for comprehensive, step-by-step product advice

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