Fire Rated Glass Doors & Windows — International Fire Test Standards

Fire rated glass doors and windows play a vital role in modern architecture — providing both aesthetic transparency and life-saving protection during a fire. To ensure reliability and compliance, every product must pass fire resistance tests according to international standards. These standards vary from region to region but share the same goal: to contain fire, smoke, and heat for a specific duration.

Global Fire Testing Standards Overview

Region	Standard Code	Key Features
Europe	EN 1634-1 / EN 1364-1 / EN 13501-2	Evaluates Integrity (E) and Insulation (I) performance; tested by accredited labs (Applus, Intertek, Element, etc.)
United Kingdom	BS 476 Part 22 / Certifire	Focuses on fire integrity and insulation; Certifire requires factory audits and continuous product assessment.
USA / Canada	UL 10C / UL 9 / NFPA 252 / NFPA 257	UL 10C for doors, UL 9 for windows; measures fire exposure, temperature rise, and radiation; accepted in the Middle East.
Middle East	Civil Defence Certification	Requires valid UL, BS, or EN fire test reports and local registration under Civil Defence.
Australia / New Zealand	AS 1530.4 / AS 1905.1	Based on BS 476, but includes unique performance classifications (E, I, and Radiation control).
China	GB 12955 / GB 15763.1 / GB 16809	Tests for integrity and insulation; often referenced for export sample verification.
Singapore / Malaysia	SS 332 / MS 1073	Based on UK & EU testing systems; requires certification from PSB, SETSCO, or equivalent national lab.
Japan	JIS A 1304 / JIS A 1305	Uses ISO 834 time–temperature curve; measures structural fire resistance time.

Key Fire Performance Classifications

E — Integrity: No flames or hot gases passing through.

I — Insulation: Temperature rise on unexposed surface ≤ limit (≤140°C average / ≤180°C single point).

W — Radiation Control: Limits heat radiation to safe levels (≤15 kW/m²).

Fire Resistance Duration: Time maintaining performance (30 / 60 / 90 / 120 minutes).

Typical Fire Test Procedure (Based on EN 1634-1)

1. Sample Preparation — Door or window fabricated to full size, including glass, frame, and hardware.

2. Mounting — Installed on a fire-resistant wall to simulate real installation.

3. Heating Curve — Exposed to ISO 834 standard fire curve reaching over 1000°C.

4. Performance Monitoring — Observing glass cracking, seal failure, temperature rise, and smoke leakage.

5. Final Assessment — Rated according to E, I, and W classifications with test duration (e.g., EI60, EW120).

Major Fire Certification Systems

Certification Type	Description
UL Listed / Intertek WH	US-based fire test and listing report — North America, Middle East
CE Mark + EN Report	European compliance mark — Europe, UK, Southeast Asia
Certifire Certification	UK third-party quality and performance scheme — UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE
Civil Defence Approval	Local fire safety registration — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Conclusion

Choosing the right fire testing standard is essential for compliance, safety, and international market entry. A certified fire rated glass door or window not only protects lives and property but also builds customer trust and project credibility. We provide professional support for fire test sample preparation, international certification consulting, and standard selection according to your target market — helping your glass systems meet UL, EN, or Certifire requirements efficiently.