Pilkington Pyroclear®

Pilkington Pyroclear®

Overview

Pilkington Pyroclear® is an advanced toughened fire-resistant glass for use as a basic integrity-only barrier. It is based on a new technology development which we’ve been perfecting and crafting for several years, built on an in-depth understanding of the behaviour of glass in fire, including new knowledge of the detail that influences the probability of glass failure.

Pilkington Pyroclear® is manufactured to high quality control standards, combining the best available expertise in both automotive and architectural premium glass processing. It is based on NSG proprietary technology combined with new R&D insights on the factors that affect the probability of premature failure of advanced toughened glass in fire (long acknowledged as a weakness of this type) and our proprietary accumulated technical experience on glass and glazing systems for integrity fire resistance from years of extensive fire testing and experience in fire safety.

Specify Pilkington Pyroclear® on NBS Chorus

Recent developments include:

Pilkington Pyroclear® Line - enabling Pilkington Pyroclear® to be specified as a butt jointed system, ideally suited for internal glass partitions for 30 and 60 minutes. 

Pilkington Pyroclear®  Plus - is either combined into an insulating glass unit or into a monolithic laminated glass that achieves an EW60 performance for internal, external screens, external facades and inclined applications - which means that there will be a reduced heat radiation for 60 minutes and in some configurations a 15 minute insulation value can be achieved.

Specify Pilkington Pyroclear® Plus on NBS Chorus

Below is a guide to help you choose the right fire-resistant glass from our range for your application. Also shown below are our fire test summaries with details of some of the many tests carried out on Pilkington Pyroclear® to date. For the latest information and guidance on test evidence and glazing design please contact us.

Design Guide

Benefits

  • Pilkington Pyroclear® is an integrity only product for 30 and 60 minutes, (E30 and E60) to BS EN 13501-02
  • Integrity with reduced heat radiation (EW60) is achieved by using Pilkington Pyroclear® Plus in an insulating glass unit (IGU) or a monolithic laminated glass
  • Unique product design and system description, manufacturing process and quality assurance system
  • Recognised to have a superior visual quality due to special processing, high quality toughening and high quality process control
  • Has achieved a target of more than 50 consecutive successful fire tests in timber framed systems
  • Designed for compatible edge cover of up to 20 mm for metal frames and 15 mm for timber (NB. Typical value for modified toughened is commonly given as 10 mm maximum to minimise the risks of unpredictable failure)
  • Exploits our developed proprietary R&D knowledge and expertise on glazing systems in timber frames (system design, materials, glazing arrangements)
  • Large pane size capability in metal systems (1.970 m x 4.0 m)
  • Pilkington Pyroclear® has been tested with a variety of glazing seals including a foam tape option for use in timber doors and screens
  • Produced at our premier architectural glass processing site in the UK to the highest of quality control standards
  • Pilkington Pyroclear® Line allows large pane butt jointed systems to be specified for 30 and 60 minute  internal applications

Brochures

FAQs

    Certifire Certificates

1

Are there internal and external versions of Pilkington Pyroclear®?

No. Pilkington Pyroclear® doesn’t have an interlayer and can be treated as any other glass product regarding internal or external application.

2

Can Pilkington Pyroclear® be incorporated into any fire-resistant system?

No. The performance of the product will be dependent on the specific design of the carrier system. Success in timber depends on our own proprietary developments and for metal systems we have tested in a range of the more common, proprietary systems. Details can be taken from our brochures or our website.

3

Does Pilkington Pyroclear® have an impact safety classification in accordance with BS EN 12600?

Yes. It achieves the highest possible classification for a toughened glass of Class 1(C)1.

4

Does Pilkington Pyroclear® need to be glazed by approved installers?

No. There is no standard or certification basis for approving installers. Pilkington guidelines should, however, be followed in all cases.

5

How do I know when to specify Pilkington Pyroclear® and when to use Pilkington Pyrodur® Plus?

Both products satisfy the requirements of the regulations for integrity only fire resistance.  Application and specification is determined in the first instance by the scope of the applicable test evidence, which differs for each product.  For more detailed performance and risk-based design then application and specification should be determined by the relative risk profiles of the two products. Pilkington Pyrodur® Plus has a fire-resistant interlayer which turns opaque and provides some insulation against all heat transfer, whereas Pilkington Pyroclear® remains clear allowing significant amounts of heat to be transmitted.

6

How does it compare with Pilkington Pyroshield™ 2?

Both are 30 / 60 minute integrity only products but Pilkington Pyroshield™ is a wired glass whereas Pilkington Pyroclear® is clear. Each has its own scope of application with sizes and framing determined by their respective test evidence.

7

How is it packed / delivered?

This depends on the specific requirement in terms of size and volume. The product will be very carefully packaged and delivered where possible directly to the customer to avoid any additional handling.

8

I currently have an assessment to BS 476: Part 22: 1987 covering the use of Pilkington Pyroshield™ 2 and Pilkington Pyrodur® Plus in my glazing system. Would it be possible to have a similar assessment for Pilkington Pyroclear®?

These products all behave differently in a fire test.  However, the possibility of an assessment with Pilkington Pyroclear® should be discussed with the organisation that issued the original assessment to establish whether or not this is possible. We would be happy to give permission for our test evidence to be used in support of assessments or approvals for Pilkington Pyroclear®, where applicable.  Pilkington Pyroclear® is in the process of gaining approval for the Certifire Scheme and the evidence will be circulated as soon as it is received.

9

If a pane of Pilkington Pyroclear® is scratched upon installation, will it still provide fire resistance or should it be replaced?

Pilkington Pyroclear® should be handled and glazed very carefully to avoid scratches which have the potential to introduce weakness. Specific technical advice should be sought on a case-by-case basis.

10

In an Insulating Glass Unit, should Pilkington Pyroclear® be positioned as the outer or inner pane?

This depends whether it is an internal or external application. 

If external, then Pilkington Pyroclear® is the inner pane. This is based on the presumption that the greatest risk comes from fire inside the building and that the objective is primarily compartmentation to keep the fire in its place of origin. That should be a major consideration, for example, to prevent flame break out and minimise the risk of fire movement to facing buildings or up the outside of a high rise from floor to floor.

If internal, then the orientation of the unit should be determined based on the most likely direction for protection against fire as part of the risk assessment. In those situations Pilkington Pyroclear® may be used in conjunction with another toughened, laminated or coated glass as the second pane. 

Note that application, as always, is governed by the scope of test evidence.

11

For a particular project, Pilkington Pyroclear® has been specified in heat soaked form to reduce the risk of spontaneous fracture from inclusions. Is it available in heat soaked form?

No. Heat soaking crucially degrades the toughening level in the product. For external applications, Pilkington Pyroclear® is used as the inner pane and heat soaked standard toughened can be used as the external pane if required.

12

Is Pilkington Pyroclear® a symmetrical product or does it have to be installed in a specific orientation?

It’s symmetrical. Application should always be governed by the test evidence available, as for every fire-resistant glass.

13

Is Pilkington Pyroclear® CE Marked?

Yes. Information is available on the website at www.pilkington.com/CE.

14

Is Pilkington Pyroclear® only available from selected stockists?

No, but it is only available from the designated Pilkington UK manufacturing site because Pilkington Pyroclear® depends on special equipment, special toughening criteria and particular manufacturing controls. Application also depends on our own test evidence which depends on proprietary glazed system developments.

15

For Pilkington Pyrostop® and Pilkington Pyrodur® in external applications it is recommended to undertake a thermal safety check, is this also necessary for Pilkington Pyroclear®?

No. Pilkington Pyroclear® is fully toughened and is therefore thermally stable.

16

Once installed, is there any way in which the glass can be confirmed as Pilkington Pyroclear®?

Yes. It will be stamped with the Pilkington Pyroclear® name and will indicate the standards it meets, its origin and the fire-resistant performance it achieves. If it doesn’t have the name on then it should not be taken to be Pilkington Pyroclear®. Make sure the product carries the Pilkington Pyroclear® stamp.

17

What applications is Pilkington Pyroclear® particularly suited for?

Pilkington Pyroclear® is ideal for timber doors being a cost effective, readily available solution for 30 minute integrity only fire resistance. It is also ideal for metal systems being the solution for large size integrity only fire resistance up to 60 minutes for applications such as external glazing, internal fully glazed doors and associated full height screens with a maximum tested size of 1.8 x 3.5 m to date.

18

What is Pilkington Pyroclear®?

Pilkington Pyroclear® is a clear, monolithic super modified toughened glass which has been engineered to deliver integrity only fire resistance with unrivalled consistency, backed by a high level of testing synonymous with other products in our fire-resistant glass range. It is available in thicknesses of 6, 8 and 10 mm.

19

What is the maximum edge cover for Pilkington Pyroclear®? Is it different for steel and timber frames?

Maximum edge cover is 20 mm in steel frames. It is different for use in timber systems, normally maximum 15 mm however, in certain glazing systems larger edge cover may be possible, subject to Pilkington technical evaluation. In all cases, reference should be made to system test approvals. There should be no divergence from those approvals without further testing and confirmation. This is unlike other similar products where reduced edge cover is required to meet the test criteria.

20

What is the typical lead time for Pilkington Pyroclear®?

Each order is custom-made and delivered within 5 – 7 days.

21

What testing have you done?

As with all Pilkington fire-resistant products we have undertaken extensive testing with consistent positive results that gives a confidence to put our name behind the product. We are also undertaking a wide ranging testing programme to broaden the range. Pilkington Pyroclear® is approved by internationally recognised UK-based test houses to E30 and E60 and is CE marked. Pilkington Pyroclear® has also been extensively approved by test in a variety of metal framing systems across Europe, and has a track record of use over several years in Japan.

22

Where is this product being manufactured?

At Pilkington Architectural in St Helens. This business specialises in highly processed and engineered product so is ideally qualified to manufacture to the highest quality with enhanced optics, flatness and strength.

23

Why have you entered this market with this product?

The fire market in the UK has a significant integrity only sector which we currently address with Pilkington Pyroshield™ 2, Pilkington Pyrodur® Plus and Pilkington Pyrodur®, however there are applications and requirements for a product such as Pilkington Pyroclear® therefore we were keen to ensure that we are able to provide the market with the most comprehensive offering.

With Pilkington Pyroclear® we have addressed our concerns about this type of product through an extensive development programme to identify the key factors that lead to premature failure of toughened glass in fire. As a result we have developed a unique proprietary manufacturing system, put in place special controls appropriate to the product and tested extensively. We have therefore satisfied ourselves that we have the right product to meet our high standards which has demonstrated consistent results in test after test.

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