No matter where they're installed, glazing systems need to be tested and compliant.
"Need" is the operative word. In the UK, as elsewhere, regulatory compliance is a must, not a maybe.
It's not difficult to see why. Regulations ensure safety, structural integrity and performance. They ensure installations can withstand environmental factors like wind, water, heat and fire. They help building projects achieve energy efficiency, too.
Those are the benefits from the building owner's perspective. But regulations also protect building users, whether from the risk of falling glass, environmental loads or fire.
So far, so simple. The world of regulations, however, is far from simple: a labyrinthine field full of documents called things like "BS EN 1279" and "Approved Document L".
Faced with these dense technical documents, it's easy to feel confused. Nevertheless, they remain an essential resource for every building project in the UK.
Here, then, is a guide to UK fire regulations for glazing systems. But before we go any further, it's important to issue a quick disclaimer.
This article is intended as a guide to UK fire regulations for glazing systems rather than a substitute for them. Always check with the documents themselves before proceeding.
That said, let's take a closer look at the documents that govern fire safety in glazing systems in the UK.
Approved Document B
In England and Wales, there are 18 Approved Documents (A-S) for building regulations.
Approved Document B is the primary document covering fire safety in the UK. It isn't primarily concerned with glazing systems but rather the overall topic of fire safety in commercial and residential buildings.
It does, however, cover the locations where fire-rated glazing is mandatory, as well as the need for escape routes and measures to slow the spread of fire in the event of an emergency.
- Glazing within fire-resisting walls, screens or doors must meet a minimum integrity standard of E30. In other words, they must prevent the spread of flames for 30 minutes.
- All habitable rooms above the ground floor – excluding kitchens – typically require emergency escape windows.
These must provide an unobstructed opening of at least 0.33m², with no dimension less than 450mm. The sill must sit between 800mm and 1,100mm from the floor.
- Fire-rated glass is required
in protected stair enclosures in houses with three or more storeys or loft conversions.
It's also required for vision panels in fire doors and any glazing within the enclosure to the stairs in a loft conversion.
- Regulations also apply to buildings over 11 metres high. Their facades are prohibited from including combustible materials.
- Glazing on external walls must limit the risk of fire spreading from one building to another.
This is not an exhaustive list. Your best source for interpreting Approved Document B is the document itself. You can
access it at GOV.UK.
While Approved Document B focuses on fire protection, Approved Document K covers impact safety. This relates to the use of safety glass, but not specifically with regard to fire regulations.
Download Approved Document K here.
Glass classification
Approved Document B covers where fire-resistant glazing is required. Glass classification regulations mandate the types of glass that can be used in fire-resistant glazing.
Fire ratings are classified under BS EN 13501:2. This covers integrity (E) and integrity and insulation (EI) ratings. Examples of this are E30 and EI60.
E (integrity only) glazing prevents the passage of flames and smoke, while EI (integrity and insulation) provides full protection against flames, smoke and heat transfer. The number refers to how long (in minutes) the glazing can resist fire while maintaining structural integrity.
Products covered by BS EN 13501:2 include load-bearing walls and floors, and non-load-bearing partitions, facades, ceilings and fire doors.
Time ratings vary. Here at Wrightstyle, we provide
fire-resistant glazing systems rated up to 160 minutes for integrity and insulation. Common time ratings are 30 minutes for internal partitions and 60 minutes or more for stairwells, corridors and high-risk commercial settings.
Glazing systems
These fire regulations don't just apply to the glass used. They refer to the whole glazing system, including the frame, sealants, gaskets and fixings. All must be fully tested and certified to ensure compliance and user safety.
Frames need to be made from hardwood, aluminium or steel. Edge clearance of 4mm to 5mm is required along with a minimum 20mm rebate. In the event of a fire, the seals within the frame expand to prevent smoke and heat from escaping around the edges.
About our products
Here at Wrightstyle, we provide high-quality
fire-rated glazing systems for doors, windows, screens and curtain walls. Like all our products, they're extensively tested to international standards, are built to last and are easy on the eye. Their narrow frame profiles allow designers to avoid bulky profiles with no loss of durability or longevity.
Our fire-resistant glazing systems fall into two main categories: the
fire-rated SR series and the
60F1 series.
