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When you’re sourcing fire rated glass for a commercial project, you’re not just buying a product—you’re buying compliance, safety, and peace of mind. Whether you’re a contractor bidding on a high-rise office tower, a window fabricator fulfilling fire door orders, or an engineer specifying materials for a hospital renovation, the glass you choose must perform when it matters most.
We’ll walk through everything you need to know about EI120 fire rated glass—from performance standards and certification requirements to installation considerations and cost factors—so you can make informed decisions for your next project.
Rato Glass’s EI120 Fire Rated Glass is tested and certified to ASTM E119, BS EN 1634-1, AS 1530.4, and BS EN 1364-1—meeting the most stringent international fire safety standards for commercial buildings.
Before diving into technical specifications, let’s clarify what the EI rating system means—because this affects everything from code compliance to occupant safety.
European standards (EN) define three levels of fire-rated glass performance, which are now widely recognized globally.
Classification | Meaning | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
E (Integrity only) | Prevents flames and hot gases from passing through | Stops fire spread but allows heat radiation |
EW (Integrity + limited radiation) | Limits radiant heat transmission | Reduces heat transfer to ≤15 kW/m² |
EI (Integrity + full insulation) | Maintains integrity and insulates against heat | Keeps the non-fire side below 140°C |
EI120 means the glass provides 120 minutes (2 hours) of both E (integrity) and I (insulation) performance. In practical terms: when a fire rages at over 1,000°C on one side, the back surface of EI120 glass stays below 140°C—safe for evacuation routes and protecting adjacent spaces.
Why does this matter? Commercial building codes increasingly require EI-rated (fire-resistive) glass rather than just E-rated (fire-protective) glass for applications where heat radiation could ignite materials or injure people on the other side.
For specifiers and contractors: Always confirm whether your local building code requires E (integrity only), EW (limited radiation), or EI (full insulation). The IBC in the U.S. requires fire-resistive glazing (EI equivalent) for wall assemblies exceeding 45 minutes and for certain egress paths. In Australia, the NCC requires FRL ratings that incorporate insulation criteria tested to AS 1530.4. Getting this wrong at the specification stage means failing inspection and costly replacements.
One of the biggest headaches for international contractors is navigating different regional standards. You might have a project in London requiring BS standards, another in Sydney needing AS 1530.4, and another in New York demanding ASTM E119. Managing multiple suppliers for each region adds complexity, lead time, and cost.
Rato Glass’s EI120 product is tested and certified to all four major standards in a single glass construction—eliminating the need to source different products for different market
ASTM E119 is the standard test method for fire resistance of building construction materials in the United States and Canada. It evaluates how long a glazing assembly can contain a fire while limiting temperature rise on the unexposed surface.
BS EN 1634-1 is the European standard that establishes fire resistance testing procedures for fire doors, shutter assemblies, and openable windows. It’s the successor to BS 476 and is widely adopted across the UK and EU.
In Australia, AS 1530.4 defines the test method for determining Fire Resistance Level (FRL) of building elements. The FRL is expressed as three numbers—Structural Adequacy / Integrity / Insulation. For glass, the critical components are Integrity and Insulation.
BS EN 1364-1 specifies the fire resistance test method for non-loadbearing walls, including those incorporating glazing. This standard is particularly relevant for curtain wall systems, interior partitions, and demountable walls in commercial buildings.
Ultra-thin profile: 10mm thickness achieves 135 minutes of fire protection—one of the world’s thinnest high-performance fire rated glass options. Thinner glass means lighter framing, easier handling, and more design flexibility.
Clear when cool, opaque when hot: The nano-silica composite interlayer is perfectly transparent under normal conditions but rapidly expands into an opaque insulation board when exposed to high temperatures—blocking both flame and radiant heat.
Sound insulation bonus: Beyond fire protection, the laminated construction provides outstanding acoustic performance—a valuable secondary benefit for office buildings near airports or busy streets.
Long-term stability: 5-year warranty with 10+ years service life; no yellowing, bubbling, or degumming over time.
Environmentally safe: Fireproof adhesive uses food-grade raw materials—non-toxic, harmless, and green.
Fire rated glass is only as effective as its installation. Here are the critical points every contractor and installer should follow.
Fire rated glass must be tested and installed with compatible framing systems. Standard hollow metal frames cannot be used in many 60- and 90-minute applications. The framings, fixings, glazing seals, and beads must all be compatible and tested for fire resistance.
Both glass and framing must be tested to the SAME standard. Fire-resistive glass must be used in fire-resistive framing—not fire-protective framing.
Different frame materials expand differently under heat. Steel, aluminum, and fire-resistant profiles all behave differently during a fire, which affects seal integrity. Always use manufacturer-certified frame systems or obtain engineering approval for custom installations.
Improper storage and handling can compromise fire performance before installation even begins. Store glass vertically on A-frames, protect edges from impact, and keep away from moisture that could affect interlayer adhesion.
Before signing off on any fire rated glass installation, verify:
Glass certification label matches specified rating (EI120 / 2-hour etc.)
Frame system certification matches glass rating
Intumescent seals and glazing gaskets are properly installed
Maximum tested dimensions are not exceeded
Installation follows manufacturer’s documented guidelines
All documentation (test reports, certificates) available for building inspector
Understanding where to use EI-rated versus E-rated (fire-protective) glass is essential for code compliance and occupant safety.
When building codes require a wall assembly to have a fire-resistance rating exceeding 45 minutes, you must use fire-resistive glazing tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263. This includes:
Exit enclosures (stairwells)
Elevator lobby enclosures
Fire barriers separating occupancy types
Atrium enclosures requiring 2-hour rating
Case study example: partitions with EI120 glass are specifically recommended for critical zones like elevator lobbies, providing 2 hours of insulation and integrity.
Fire doors with glazing panels must maintain integrity and (depending on location) insulation. Under BS EN 1634-1, door assemblies are tested as complete systems—meaning the glass, frame, hardware, and seals all work together.
Modern commercial buildings increasingly use transparent partitions for compartmentation—creating fire-safe zones without sacrificing daylight or visual openness. EI60 and EI120 glass allows floor-by-floor compartmentation in lobbies and common areas.
BS EN 1364-1 covers non-loadbearing walls including curtain walling. If your curtain wall must resist fire spread between floors or compartments, specify glazing tested to this standard.
In Australia, any glazing in a fire door or fire window must be tested to AS 1530.4. The NCC sets FRL requirements that vary by building class and location. EI120 exceeds most standard requirements, making it suitable for high-risk applications.
Fire-protective (E-rated) prevents flame spread but allows heat radiation. Fire-resistive (EI-rated) does both—blocks flames AND insulates against heat. When the code requires a wall assembly rating, you need fire-resistive glazing tested to ASTM E119.
Yes, but with a critical condition: the aluminum frame must be tested together with the glass as a complete assembly. Standard aluminum framing may not maintain integrity under fire exposure.
Maximum sizes depend on thickness and specific testing parameters. Contact us with your project dimensions for verification against certified testing limits.
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