Fire rated glass doors: Frequently Asked Questions

What are fire-rated glass doors?

Fire-rated glass doors are constructed with fire-resistant glass that is designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent fire from spreading should there be a breakout. These doors are built with the goal of resisting fire and smoke for a period of time, allowing for evacuation from the building. They differ from regular fire doors in that they provide visibility so that a fire may be identified sooner, whilst maintaining the integrity of the building. Fire-rated glass doors must also meet certain requirements and safety standards in order to pass as a fire door. 

Are our fire-rated products fully certified?

At Office Blinds & Glazing, all our steel fire-rated glazing systems are fully compliant with BS 476: Part 22:1987, EN 1364-1 and BS EN 1364-1 standard. 

BS 476: Part 22 refers to a series of fire tests that the materials used for fire doors must go through to determine the level of resistance they will provide. BS EN 1364-1 is part of the European standard for fire resistance tests, determining the fire resistance of non-loadbearing walls. 

How long can fire-rated glass doors withstand fire?

Typically, fire-rated glass doors will provide fire protection from between 20 to 120 minutes. This means the glass and door will stay intact for this duration of time when exposed to fire. 

At Office Blinds & Glazing, our fire-rated glass doors have ratings of E30 (FD30), EI30 (FD30/30), E60 (FD60) and EI60 (FD60/60). E30 (FD30) means the glass is able to withstand fire for 30 minutes, whereas E60 (FD60) refers to glass able to withstand fire for 60 minutes. EI30 (FD30/30) means the glass is able to prevent the passage of flames, fumes, toxic gases, radiant heat and temperature for 30 minutes, with EI60 (FD60/60) referring to a 60-minute period. 

Do we offer advice on what fire-rating is required?

If you need advice on which fire-rating you should use, you will first need to contact your local building control department who will be able to advise on what specifications your fire door will need to meet. Find your local building control team and once you have been advised on what is required, you can contact our Project Team who will be able to discuss with you what products we can provide. 

Is it a legal requirement to have fire doors?

Due to the regulatory reform of 2005, it is a legal requirement in all non-domestic buildings to have fire doors. This includes businesses, meaning whoever is in charge of the premises must ensure fire doors have been installed within the building. The person responsible for the building must carry out a fire risk assessment, ensuring fire regulations are met as the accountability for the safety of all employees is upon their shoulders.  

What are the benefits of using fire-rated glass doors?

The most important benefit of fire-rated glass doors is the level of protection they provide against a fire breakout, protecting people and assets within a building. Fire doors are able to resist fire for a long enough period of time for employees to evacuate the building, whilst also delaying the spread of flames so that the fire brigade can arrive and extinguish the fire before damage is done to valuable assets within the building. 

Aside from the obvious benefits in the protection and safety they provide, fire-rated glass doors can be stylish and add modernity to any office or workspace, whilst boosting company morale by providing more light between rooms. 

Fire-rated glass also provides acoustic properties due to its multi-layered structure. This can be beneficial in office spaces as they help reduce sound, meaning minimal disruption in spaces such as meeting rooms and quiet corners. 

Finally, with Office Blinds & Glazing, we can tailor your fire doors to suit your specific needs, such as unique designs or your business logo. Our skilled in-house team creates bespoke fire-rated glass doors and screens for a variety of businesses, making each one unique to the client. Take a look at the fire screens and doors we fitted for the Liver Building in Liverpool.

Why use glass fire screens by Office Blinds & Glazing?

To summarise everything we’ve spoken about in this blog, fire-rated glass doors and screens are an essential component of any office or building, first and foremost providing protection against fire and smoke to your employees and assets. At Office Blinds & Glazing, our fire-rated products are designed with advanced fire glass technology that meets all the required health and safety standards. We believe in not just adding protection, but also style, offering a more practical approach to your fire safety plans with bespoke glass fittings that blend seamlessly into your office space. 

We hope that we have been able to answer any questions you may have regarding fire-rated glass doors and the benefits they provide to you and your business. If you are considering installing fire-rated glass doors, get in touch with our expert team at Office Blinds & Glazing, or read our blog ‘5 things to consider when installing fire-rated glass screens and doors’.