Fire rated glass is high in demand due to the kind of safety it offers from smoke, heat, and fire. It is most often used in manufacturing fire-rated doors and windows for residential, commercial, and industrial areas. For most buildings, especially commercial and industrial, it has now become mandatory to install fire doors. And fire-rated glass doors are the first preference of most builders and contractors these days.
But with so many manufacturers available in the market, it gets difficult to find the best quality fire protection glass that matches your expectations. That is when most people tend to make mistakes. They end up buying fire-rated glasses without verifying all the information. One must understand that simply buying a glass that says ‘fire-resistant’ won’t help. In this blog, we are sharing a few common mistakes that most people make when buying fire-rated glass, so that you can avoid them during your purchase.
Not aware of glass classifications
Not every buyer is aware of fire-rated glass classifications, and that is when they end up buying the wrong one. One must first know about these different types of glass classifications. You can ask the manufacturer about the same before buying. Like E-rated glass helps prevent smoke and flames. Then there is EW-rated glass, which helps limit heat transfer. Similarly, there are a few more that serve a different purpose when used for manufacturing fire protection doors.
Considering only the appearance of fire rated glass
As most of these fire safety doors are now used in modern buildings, builders often prefer choosing them according to their appearance. They check the transparency and aesthetic appeal of the fire rated glass, rather than prioritizing its main features. We always recommend that you do not overlook the performance and fire ratings of these glasses, or else they may not serve the purpose you are buying them for. While considering appearance, do consider safety and compliance as well.
Ignoring fire ratings during the purchase
Each fire-rated glass comes with a different fire rating, but not everyone is aware of the same. However, manufacturers like Galaxy Fire Protection Co. are spreading awareness about the same. But due to negligence, buyers often ignore fire rating and simply look for glass that says fire-resistant. It is one of the biggest mistakes to consider fire rating as it is highly essential, as it will help you know how long it will provide you with safety from fire.
These glasses come with fire ratings of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes. This means they can hold fire for the respective minutes, which gives enough time for people to vacate the premises or call the fire ambulance during the time of a fire accident. Residential buildings’ fire rating requirements vary from commercial and industrial buildings, so do not forget to check them before purchase.
Buying according to its price
We understand that budget is a constraint for every other buyer, but ignoring quality due to budget won’t help. Instead, it will make you purchase another fire-rated door pretty soon due to the bad quality of the cheap fire door. Always check the features, fire safety protection, and fire ratings offered by fire-rated glass. Once you are sure about all these and they match the building requirements and local building regulations, then only check the price.
Conclusion
By avoiding these mistakes, you can easily buy the best quality fire rated glass for all your fire door or fire window requirements. Ensure that you never compromise on quality, be aware of glass classifications and fire ratings, do not be dependent on appearance for buying, and do not choose low-priced fire safety glasses. We at Galaxy Fire Protection Co., being one of the certified manufacturers, always recommend buying from a trusted brand while considering fire certifications and compliance to get the best-quality fire-rated glasses.