University of Michigan Law School

Before the development of fire-resistive glazing, building-material choices were limited when building codes required fire-resistive performance. Typically, designers used conventional solid walls where codes mandated fire safety. For decades, traditional wired glass was the only fire-rated glazing available. But, its application in schools has been severely limited because it is not impact safe and it fails to protect people and property from the dangers of radiant heat.

David Eccles School of Business, Salt Lake City

Advances in fire-rated glazing have delivered new tools to designers working to maximize: aesthetics, daylight reaching deep inside a school building, and campus security.  Today, architects apply fire-rated glazing instead of opaque masonry or gypsum in school walls, doors, lobbies, interior courtyards, roofs and exit corridors.

Still, confusion persists about which fire-rated glazing options will meet building codes and provide continuous passive fire protection.

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