Fire is one of the most devastating things that can happen in a building. And the standard window glass is one of the first things to fall apart and shatter in the event of a fire. Normal glass cannot withstand more than 120°C (250°F), and will shatter due to thermal shock, often cutting escape routes. When the glass falls, the blaze can spread to other floors.
Most of the new buildings in Oman have glass, because they let in light, reducing the dependency of artificial lighting. Whether it is a high-rise office high-rise office or a luxury mall, architects are focussing on both transparency and safety when they choose glass. The engineering marvel of fire rated glass in Oman can be explored through Sunrise Technical, one of the most renowned glass manufacturing companies in the country. But there is one thing that architects and project managers want to know about glass – How long can the glass actually last in a fire?
In this blog, the experts at Sunrise Technical talks about the timeline of protection when the glass is exposed to extreme heat of the fire, and the fire in itself.
The Timeline of Protection: 30, 60, 90, 120 Minutes
The timeline of protection depends on the composition of glass. You have fire-rated glass that is tested in furnaces reaching temperatures exceeding 900°C. The glass has to withstand fire for specific durations. These are the standards generally recognized by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Civil Defense:
- 30 Minutes: This is the minimum time for the fire to protect the building, especially for domestic properties or low-risk partitions. You need at least 30 minutes time for immediate evacuation.
- 60 Minutes (1 Hour): For commercial office corridors and stairwells, you need at least one hour of resistance for the evacuation routes to remain safe for an hour.
- 90 to 120 Minutes (2 Hours): You need at least two hours of solid protection for buildings with critical infrastructure, and buildings with server rooms Evacuation.
Importance of ROP Approved Supplier for Fire Rated Glass
It could probably be because the climate in Oman makes it mandatory for the buildings to have glass that is specially manufactured to resist fire, heat, and smoke for a specified period of time. That is why there are strict regulations regarding building safety. The Civil Defense needs to see proof that the materials have been tested before they can be certified. That is why it is so important to partner with an ROP approved supplier for fire rated glass, like Sunrise Technical. Otherwise, these are the downsides that you might have to face.
- Failed Inspections: If the building inspections fail, you are not likely to get a building safety certificate.
- Replacement costs: As the next step, you will have to remove the non-compliant glass and replace it. So that would be double the cost.
- Legal Liability: And In the event of a fire, having glass that is non-compliant will give the building owner and contractor severe legal consequences.
Getting fire-rated glass from fire rated glass suppliers! Make sure your project is built on a foundation of trust and compliance with the help of Sunrise Technical.