Essential for effective fire protection within residential or workplace buildings, fire-rated or flame-resistant glazings allow for the effective combination of aesthetic and safety requirements. Even in environments particularly prone to fire risk, it is difficult to completely disregard the use of glass for windows and partitions that allow light to enter and make even the darkest rooms feel less oppressive. However, if not adequately treated to maximize its fire-resistant characteristics, glass does not inherently possess the ability to prevent the spread of flames.
The transparency of glass, which allows heat to pass through via direct radiation, could cause significant temperature increases in adjacent rooms and a faster spread of flames if other combustible materials reach their auto-ignition temperature. Furthermore, flames cause glass panes to break, as they tend to fall out of their frames once the softening temperature is reached, making local evacuation and firefighting more difficult due to the increased heat.
To combine aesthetic needs with effective fire protection, Vetreria Re offers fire-rated glazings ideal for the construction of frames, doors, windows, and partitions capable of resisting flames. The production of fire-resistant safety glass doors is regulated by specific approval codes that establish a classification based on fire resistance capacity, identified by Ministerial Decree no. 339 of November 30, 1983, and updated according to the Ministerial Decree of February 16, 2007.
Specifically, there are acronyms that identify two main safety classes: RE Flame-Resistant Glazing and REI Fire-Rated Glazing. These acronyms are followed by a number indicating the minutes (15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180) for which the specified resistance is guaranteed. Let’s look specifically at what the safety codes for flame-resistant or fire-rated glazings indicate, identifying the stability, integrity, and thermal insulation capacity of glass exposed to fire:
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The acronym “R” indicates the ability of a glazed or solid frame to maintain stability for the specified period of time;
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The acronym “RE” indicates the ability of a glazed or solid frame to maintain stability and integrity for a certain period of time;
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The acronym “REI” indicates the ability of a glazed or solid frame to maintain stability, integrity, and thermal insulation for the specified period of time;
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The acronym “E” indicates the ability of a glazed or solid frame to maintain integrity for a given period of time;
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The acronym “EW” indicates the ability of a glazed or solid frame to maintain integrity for a certain period of time while simultaneously guaranteeing radiation control;
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The acronym “EI” indicates the ability of a glazed or solid frame to maintain stability, integrity, and thermal insulation for the indicated period.
Further details are developed in the text dedicated to RE and REI fire-rated glazings. Additionally, Vetreria Re is available to provide more specific information regarding RE and REI fire-rated glazings, including technical specifications, fire resistance capacity, and prices, ensuring maximum comfort and a high-quality finish.