Internal Fire Rated Windows: What You Need to Know
What You Need To Know:
When designing or renovating a building, safety is the highest priority. Internal fire rated windows are a critical component of a building’s overall fire strategy, offering much more than just a view or a source of natural light. They are life-saving barriers designed to contain a fire, providing precious time for occupants to evacuate safely.
What Are Internal Fire Rated Windows?
Internal fire rated windows are specially constructed window systems designed to resist fire for a specified period. Unlike standard windows, which would quickly shatter under the intense heat of a blaze, these windows maintain their integrity. This prevents the passage of fire and smoke from one part of a building to another. Their primary role is to support a building’s compartmentalisation strategy, which involves dividing the building into smaller, fire-contained sections to slow the spread of a fire.
Understanding Fire Ratings
The most prominent feature of a fire rated window is its time rating. This is typically given in minutes, such as 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. The rating indicates the minimum length of time the window assembly can withstand a fire. For example, a 60-minute fire rated window is certified to maintain its performance for at least an hour. Aluminium Fire Systems provides a range of options including 30-minute fire rated windows and solutions up to 120-minute fire rated windows.
Navigating UK Building Regulations and Standards
Specifying fire rated windows means complying with UK Building Regulations, specifically Approved Document B. These regulations dictate where fire resisting construction is required and what performance levels are necessary. Products must be tested to British Standards (BS) or the superseding European Standards to prove their performance. A reputable supplier will always provide a full compliance pack with every project, containing the necessary test evidence and certifications for building control approval.
At Aluminium Fire Systems, internal fire rated windows are a key part of the compliant aluminium systems we manufacture and supply across the UK. Each system is tested as a complete assembly, ensuring dependable performance across both glazing and framing. We provide certified 30, 60, 90 and 120-minute fire rated window solutions, giving specifiers and contractors confidence in selecting the correct level of protection, all supported by documented test evidence to assist with building control approval.
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