ECOBuilder_Specifiers Journal 2018_2019

We all like to work in an environment that is
spacious and flooded in natural daylight and
architects and designers have long appreciated
the benefits of specifying fully glazed
partitions and doors as a way of creating
the ideal workplace for the wellbeing of the
occupants. Since the concept of ‘frameless’
glazing was first embraced, Optima has been
at the vanguard of cutting edge design in low
visual impact glazing systems for commercial
and public sector fit-out.
At Optima the emphasis has always been
on going the extra mile and simply creating
frameless glazing systems is only part of the
journey. We have always believed that glazing
systems should not only look good but must be
capable of delivering exceptional performance
in terms of stability and acoustic privacy. Our
highly skilled design teams are constantly
striving for improvements to our renowned
product range with market-leading acoustic
capability.
So the practice of using glazed systems
for high quality fit-outs is well established,
but that is not necessarily the case where
fire resistance performance is also desired.
Compartmentation and protection of safe
routes has always been seen as the preserve
of solid walls and timber doors but advances
in glass technology has meant that architects
and designers are increasingly looking to
incorporate the openness of glass into their fire
resistant requirements.
Optima’s Technishield range of doors and
partition systems offers complete coverage,
from glazed doors providing 30 minutes
integrity only fire resistance to glazed partitions
offering up to 2 hours integrity and insulation
protection.
But of course it’s not that simple. Recent tragic
events have brought the use of fire resistant
construction products sharply into focus and
their use needs to be carefully and responsibly
managed. It is not just a case of replacing
an area of solid wall construction with fire
resistant glazing. A solid wall will typically span
between structural floors providing a complete
fire barrier. Glazing, on the other hand, will
typically span between the false ceiling and
the finished floor, often a raised access floor.
It will also not necessarily form the entirety of
the length of the compartmentation. A typical
fire resistant glazed partition will span between
two areas of solid wall.
This is where the use of glazing needs to be
carefully managed. The zones above and below
the glazing must be independently fire rated to at
least an equivalent standard and the interfaces
between the zones of protection must satisfy
the requirements of the respective system fire
certifications. The weight of the glazing needs
to be taken into account. A section of glazing 3
metres high and offering
60 minutes integrity and
insulation protection
could weigh in excess of
200kg per linear metre.
The floor construction
must be capable of
supporting that kind of
load under fire conditions.
The same is true with
vertical abutments and
the wall construction
must be compatible with
the tested nature of the
glazing system.
Because we work closely
with glass manufacturers
to ensure the correct glass
product is used in every
instance, the Optima
Technishield range
enables architects and
designers to specify with
confidence and comply with the requirements of
Approved Document B (AD B).
So much for AD B. But what about Approved
Document M (AD M)? Whilst it is possible to
incorporate glazed fire doors into large areas
of fire resistant glazing, their primary function
is to act as a fire barrier when required to do
so and that means that it must be capable of
being closed, without manual intervention,
when there is a fire.
However they are still
required to satisfy
AD M wherever they
are intended to offer
freedom of movement
around the building
and this is particularly
important where doors
are introduced on heavy
circulation routes within
compartment walls or
partitions providing
compartmentation.
Not only are glazed
fire doors heavy but
they will be installed
with a self-closing
device like an overhead
closer. This means
that they can require
an operating force to open them in excess of
the acceptable level stipulated in AD M. Many
sprung door closing devices will rightly claim
that they can comply with AD M but it should
be noted that this is only possible under certain
conditions and their use on heavy glazed fire
doors will fall outside those conditions.
The needs of a fire door to self-close can also
be hindered by ambient conditions. If there is a
significant disparity in air flow on opposite sides
of the door it can often require a closing device
to be increased in its closing force to ensure the
door shuts securely. This further hampers the
operability of the door in normal use.
AD M is very clear on the subject. In stating
its preference for there to be no doors at all,
it recognises that doors are often necessary
and with particular emphasis on fire doors,
it recommends that they either be held
open and released only in the event of fire,
or provided with an automated means of
assisted opening. This needs to be considered
as early as possible in the design process.
It’s far easier to budget for, and incorporate
compliance with AD M at the start of the
process than to re-visit the issue at the end
of the project.
Continuing the theme of fire doors on
circulation routes, these are often required to
include some form of access control. Again
this needs to be carefully considered as not
all systems are compatible with glazed fire
doors.
There’s no denying that this is a very complex
subject but at Optima we go to great lengths
to ensure we understand the issues and can
offer solutions to them. So let us help you
to deliver confidence. Talk to the Optima
technical team first.
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Technishield
Fire rated glass systems
Optima’s extensive Technishield range of
fire rated doors and partitions offers complete
coverage, from 30 minutes integrity only fire resistence
to 2 hours integrity and insulation.
Framed or frameless options allow you to create the design you
want without compromising on fire safety.
To talk to us about fire rated solutions to suit your project, get in touch now
T. +44 1494 492600 | E. action@OptimaSystems.com
OptimaSystems.com