Natural light plays a major role in today’s modern design. Glass not only bridges the gap between the outdoors and indoors, enhancing energy conservation and occupant well-being, but also meets critical performance standards such as fire safety. Pilkington Fire-resistant Glass, a trusted choice for over 45 years, exemplifies how safety and aesthetics can seamlessly coexist.
The extensive use of glass is key to shaping a sustainable environment. It connects the outside world with the inside of a building. Glass architecture not only facilitates the conservation of energy, creates an atmosphere of openness and a pleasant feel-good climate, but also fulfils important performance requirements, such as solar control, noise control, impact safety, and fire safety requirements. Fire-resistant glass is used in external façades and internal compartmentation walls and remains mainly unnoticed, blending in with other functional glass products as part of large areas.
Natural light in architecture
Daylight that reaches into the inside of buildings through large glass areas has a significant impact on people's well-being. It increases the level of concentration, improves mood, increases energy levels, and contributes to a healthy working environment. Studies have shown that natural light indoors reduces stress and increases productivity. Pilkington Fire-resistant Glass helps to ensure that even areas requiring higher levels of fire protection can benefit from daylight and the positive effects it brings.
Fire-resistant glass: consistent performance without compromising on safety
Pilkington Pyrostop® and Pilkington Pyrodur® are two outstanding products that guarantee both safety and transparency. Both fire-resistant glass product lines are designed to protect life in the event of a fire, and at the same time, fulfil the architectural requirements of modern, light-flooded buildings. The ingenious technology is based on a multi-layer intumescent laminate that is as clear and translucent as can be expected from standard glass.
Pilkington Pyrostop® ‒ providing a maximum level of fire safety and transparency
Pilkington Pyrostop® consists of several layers of float glass that are laminated by a special fire-resistant intumescent material placed between them. In the event of a fire, the intumescent layers are triggered to provide the insulation performance required to contain the heat energy. When the glass pane facing the fire breaks, the fire protection layers start to react. A foaming up process is set off as soon as the temperature in the intumescent layer reaches approximately 120 °C, with the foam forming a thermal break. This effectively blocks flames, smoke, hot gases, and heat radiation. Pilkington Pyrostop® offers fire resistance of up to 120 minutes, depending on the composition (fire resistance class EI 30 to EI 120).
Pilkington Pyrodur® ‒ a lightweight fire-resistant glass reducing hazardous heat radiation
Pilkington Pyrodur® was specifically designed for applications required to achieve fire resistance class E/EW 30. Several layers of float glass are laminated by one or more intumescent fire-resistant interlayers. In the event of a fire, these layers react to the heat and foam up at around 120 °C, effectively blocking hot gases, fumes, and smoke, as well as flames from spreading. At the same time, they significantly reduce the level of heat radiation. The insulation performance of Pilkington Pyrodur® provides an additional level of safety by limiting the risk of ignition of flammable materials on the non-fire side.
Fire-resistant glass is made to create open spaces and bright architecture
One of the greatest strengths of glass architecture is its ability to create bright spaces, which - without its use – would make everyone feel boxed in by compartmentalisation walls. Transparent walls and façades make the inside of a building visible, making it transparent from the outside. This blurs the boundaries between the interior and exterior. This not only creates visual open spaces, but also somewhat connects the occupants with their surroundings. NSG Group’s range of Fire-resistant Glass is ideally suited to help create a feeling of openness and lightness, even in areas that need to comply to stringent fire safety requirements.
Modern architecture places high expectations on transparent fire protection solutions. Slim frame designs and large sized fire-resistant glass panels are essential aesthetic requirements. Pilkington Pyrostop® Line, with its butt-joints, has been developed for such aesthetically demanding applications. These products combine outstanding visual qualities with a maximum transparency and reliability in fire safety, offering a flush design that does not require vertical framing. The range of products offers fire resistance performance of up to EI 120 minutes, and compositions thicker than 20 mm comprise Pilkington Optiwhite™, an extra clear low iron glass, perfect for applications where transparency and purity of colour are desired.
An impressive track record of 45 years of innovation and sustainability
For over four decades, the Pilkington name has been linked to high-quality and innovative research and development in Fire-resistant Glass. Significant efforts have been made to continuously improve the product portfolio and to grow the number of applications of fire-resistant glass solutions. Today, it is possible to use Pilkington Fire-resistant Glass to design buildings and spaces that fulfil both: the stringent fire safety requirements and provide the lightness and transparency that are vital for a pleasant working and living environment.
Multiple features combined in a single fire-resistant glass
At a time when people's well-being is at the centre of architecture, Pilkington Fire-resistant Glass is the perfect choice for light-flooded, bright, and safe buildings.
Do you require detailed information about Pilkington Fire-resistant Glass range? Please email CREATE EMAIL