About Us

What makes SAFTI FIRST® different?

While other fire rated glass and framing distributors import their products from overseas, SAFTI FIRST® is the only single-source, vertically integrated fire glass and framing manufacturer in the USA.  This means better product quality, lead times, pricing and coordination to accommodate even the most unique project requirements and conditions.

Over 40 years of Experience

SAFTI FIRST® has over 40 years of experience in testing, innovating and providing technologically advanced fire rated glass and framing systems.  Our products are tested, certified, listed and labeled both by UL and Intertek/Warnock-Hersey.

SAFTI FIRST® was the first company to develop and bring to market a fully listed and labeled fire resistive wall and door assembly using clear, ASTM E119 rated advanced glazing and framing assemblies proudly manufactured here in the USA.  We continue to be the leading single-source manufacturer of USA made fire resistive glass and framing assemblies.

Offering the Complete Solution

SAFTI FIRST® products provide additional safety, clarity, performance and cost savings that other products cannot match.  In addition, SAFTI FIRST® has in-house engineering and estimating services to provide fast lead times and competitive pricing.

SAFTI FIRST® is also the fire rated glass and framing division of O’Keeffe’s Inc., a leading USA manufacturer of architectural glass and metal products for over 80 years.

SAFTI FIRST® recently acquired Titan Metal Products, a leading USA manufacturer of specialty entrances and storefronts since 1977.

Since 1978
SAFTI FIRST®
has been trailblazing a path of Firsts

FIRSTS in:

1978—1988

First to perform United States testing of advanced fire rated glazing products from Europe.

SAFTI FIRST®’s parent company, O’Keeffe’s Inc., introduces GPX® Glassprotex, the first fire resistive framing system made in the United States.

1989—1999

SAFTI FIRST® becomes the first USA company to manufacture clear, fire protective, CPSC Cat. ll impact safety and fire rated glazing products here in the USA.

SAFTI FIRST® starts local manufacturing of SuperLite® ll-XL, the first fire resistive glazing produced in the USA.

2000—2010

SAFTI FIRST® develops SuperLite® l-W, the first fire and safety rated filmed wired glass manufactured in the USA.

SAFTI FIRST® introduces the first complete fire resistive and hurricane rated glazed assembly passing the stringent Miami-Dade test standards.

2011—2021

SAFTI FIRST®’s GPX® Curtain Wall framing system is the first 2 hour fire resistive system to pass rigorous dynamic curtain wall testing as prescribed by Curtain Wall Design & Consulting (CDC).

SAFTI FIRST® develops and markets SuperSecure® II-XLS, the first fire resistive security glazing meeting CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) and ASTM F1915 requirements.

SAFTI FIRST® introduces GPX® Blast, the first fire resistive and blast rated glazed assemblies for openings and walls.

SAFTI FIRST® develops and successfully tests GPX® FireFloor, the first USA-made fire resistive floor system with the largest tested and listed sizes up to 2 hours.

SAFTI FIRST® becomes the first and only fire rated glass and framing manufacturer to have approved glazing and framing components in the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program.

SAFTI FIRST® introduces SuperClear® 45-HS and SuperClear® 45-HS-LI , two revolutionary, game-changing, affordable, 45 minute fire protective glazing products that meet all fire, hose stream and safety requirements.  SuperClear® 45-HS and SuperClear® 45-HS-LI are listed and labeled by UL and Intertek in large sizes for use in doors, sidelites, transoms and windows/openings.  They can be used in interior and exterior applications, including energy efficient make-ups.  SuperClear® 45-HS and SuperClear® 45-HS-LI have a 37 STC/35 OITC rating in standard hollow metal framing, compared to 29 STC/28 OITC for filmed ceramic in standard hollow metal framing and 31 STC/30 OITC for laminated ceramic in standard hollow metal framing.  SuperClear® 45-HS-LI has an approximate VLT of 90, making it the clearest 45 minute fire protective glazing product in the market today.  SuperClear® 45-HS and SuperClear® 45-HS-LI are approved glazing components in the NFRC CMAST database.
 

SAFTI FIRST® embarks on an ambitious $8M expansion to update fire rated glass, systems, and door manufacturing capabilities in Merced, CA.

2022—Present

SAFTI FIRST® receives US Patent for SuperClear®  45-HS and SuperClear®  45-HS-LI, with additional patents pending.

SAFTI FIRST® expands glass fabrication capabilities with the addition of a fully automated, state-of-the-art Pujol 100+ laminating line. This includes a brand new clean room and two ovens; one for standard lamination processes and another for hurricane, bomb blast and detention products.

Ready to Handle Anything

Whether you’re looking for fire-rated walls, doors, openings, floors or a specialty service, we have the solution for you.  With over 40 years of experience in testing, innovating, and providing technologically advanced fire-rated glass and framing products, we deliver unyielding performance and quality at a competitive price.

Bill O'Keeffe
PRESIDENT

Bill O’Keeffe is known in the glass industry for leading the charge on a successful code change that prohibits the use of unsafe wired glass in doors, sidelites and hazardous locations.  At the same time, he developed clear, safe and economical alternatives to wired glass and ceramics that offer better protection and value. 

Bill was also the first to develop, test and bring to market advanced fire resistive glazing products that meet the ASTM E119 / UL 263 fire resistive wall criteria, ushering in a host of new design applications that architects could only dream of before. 

A true industry leader and innovator, Bill continues to develop new, game-changing products such SuperClear® 45-HS, SuperClear® 45-HS-LI and the soon-to-be released GPX® SnapCap Framing System. 

system sales

Rafael Valencia
Territory Manager
Covering West —
AK, AZ, CA, HI, OR, WA

ext. 734
Carlos Garcia
Territory Manager
Covering West & Central —
AR, CO, IA, ID, KS, LA, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, SD, UT, WY

ext. 673
Mike White
Territory Manager
Covering Central —
IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NM, OH, OK, Western PA, TX, Washington, DC, WI, WV

ext. 728
Dakota Cox
Territory Manager
Covering Southeast —
AL, GA, NC, SC, TN, VA & Canada

ext. 655
Mike Gebruers
Territory Manager
Covering Northeast —
CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, Eastern PA, RI, VT & Int’l

ext. 762
Jesse Fuentes
Inside Sales Manager
Covering Southeast — FL
ext. 730
Karen Lim
Inside Sales Assistant
Covering West
ext. 792
Craig Banda
Inside Sales Assistant
Covering East
ext. 607
Michelle Murray
Architectural Sales Representative
Covering West
ext. 794
Mike Augustine
National Technical Director & Architectural Representative
Covering East
ext. 708

glass only sales

Lorena Fuentes
Glass Estimator
Covering West —
AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY & Distributor Accounts

ext. 631
Jocelyn Maule
Glass Estimator
Covering Central —
AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, WI

ext. 623
Manuel Rodriguez
Glass Estimator
Covering East —
AL, CT, DE, GA, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV & Canada

ext. 624

project management team

Bruce Chow
Senior Project Manager
ext. 774
Denise Esquivel
Project Manager
ext. 742
Paolo Mercado
Senior Project Manager
ext. 706
Dhaval Gadani
Senior Project Manager
ext. 702
Tyler Lamirato
Project Manager
ext. 736
Tina Zhao
Project Management Assistant
ext. 714
Sharon Heagney
VP of Engineering &
Project Management
ext. 740

management team

Catherine Masuda
Chief Executive Officer
ext. 744
Sean Ross
VP of Testing & Certification
ext. 634
Sharon Heagney
VP of Engineering &
Project Management
ext. 740
Diana San Diego
VP of Marketing
ext. 756

marketing team

Diana San Diego
VP of Marketing
ext. 756
Jennifer Hom
Marketing & Graphics Manager
ext. 758
Armane Pita
Marketing Assistant
ext. 760

finance & admin

Catherine Masuda
Chief Executive Officer
ext. 744
Adam Scherer
Senior Data Analyst
ext. 752
Jung Eun Yun
Contract Administration Assistant
ext. 764
Paulynne Macaspac
Contract Administration Assistant
ext. 791

Explore SAFTI FIRST®

We offer a comprehensive selection of useful resources on our website on the correct and code approved use of fire rated glass and framing.  Browse articles, case studies, blogs, technical bulletins, continuing education programs and more.  Start learning today!

 

Fire Rated Glass Comparison Chart

Blogs

Articles

Press Releases

Case Studies