Skip to content
  • QUOTE
  • 888.653.3333
  • info@safti.com
  • Products
    • Fire Protective Glass Tested to NFPA 252/257, UL 9/10C, ULC S104/S106; Blocks smoke and flames.
    • SuperLite® I
    • SuperClear® 45-HS
    • SuperClear® 45-HS-LI
    • SuperLite® I-XL
    • SuperLite® I-XL IGU
    • SuperLite® X-45/60/90
    • SuperLite® II-XL 45
    • Ceramics
    • Fire Resistive Glass Tested to ASTM E119 / UL 263 / ULC S101; Blocks smoke, flames and radiant heat.
    • SuperLite® II-XL 60
    • SuperLite® II-XL 90
    • SuperLite® II-XL 120
    • SuperLite® II-XLB 60
    • SuperLite® II-XLB 120
    • SuperLite® II-XLM 60
    • SuperLite® II-XLM 120
    • SuperSecure® II-XLS 45-120
    • Fire Rated Walls 60-120 minute fire resistive glass and frame assemblies tested to ASTM E119 / UL 263 / ULC S101.
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive
    • GPX® Curtain Wall
    • GPX® Hurricane
    • GPX® Ballistic
    • GPX® Blast System
    • GPX® EZ Frame
    • Fire Rated Doors Full vision 20-45 minute fire protective doors and 60-90 minute temperature rise doors tested to NFPA 252 / UL 10C / ULC S104.
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive
    • GPX® Builders Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise
    • GPX® Hurricane
    • GPX® Ballistic
    • GPX® Vision Kit
    • Fire Rated Openings 20-45 minute fire protective glass and framing assemblies tested to NFPA 257 / UL 9 / ULC S106.
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® Builders Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® EZ Frame
    • Fire Rated Floors 60-120 minute fire resistive glass floor assemblies tested to ASTM E119 / UL 263 / ULC S101.
    • GPX® FireFloor
    • Fire Rated Fences 20-60 minute fire rated glass fence for WUI areas or designated fire zones.
    • SAFTI FENCE
    • Specialty Glass
    • Laminated Safety Glass
  • Literature
  • Specs
  • Details
  • Videos
  • Resources
    About Us
    Videos
    Case Studies
    Articles
    Blogs
    Continuing Education
    Literature
    BIM Library
    Industry Links
    Press Releases
    Testimonials
    Technical Bulletins
    Newsletters
    Product Selector
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    Contact Us
    Meet Our Team
    Find Your Local Rep
    Request a Quote
  • Products
    • Fire Protective Glass
    • Fire Resistive Glass
    • Fire Rated Walls
    • Fire Rated Doors
    • Fire Rated Openings
    • Fire Rated Floors
    • Fire Rated Fences
  • Literature
  • Specs
  • Details
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • Product Selector
    • Articles
    • Blogs
    • BIM Library
    • Case Studies
    • Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Continuing Education
    • Literature
    • Technical Bulletins
    • Testimonials
    • Industry Links
    • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Find Your Local Rep
    • Request a Quote
Menu
  • Products
    • Fire Protective Glass
    • Fire Resistive Glass
    • Fire Rated Walls
    • Fire Rated Doors
    • Fire Rated Openings
    • Fire Rated Floors
    • Fire Rated Fences
  • Literature
  • Specs
  • Details
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • Product Selector
    • Articles
    • Blogs
    • BIM Library
    • Case Studies
    • Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Continuing Education
    • Literature
    • Technical Bulletins
    • Testimonials
    • Industry Links
    • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Find Your Local Rep
    • Request a Quote
Articles
Code Education
Clear and Economical Fire Rated Glazing that Outperforms Wired Glass Now Available in Canada
Code Education

Clear and Economical Fire Rated Glazing that Outperforms Wired Glass Now Available in Canada

BySAFTI FIRST Team
| March 6, 2017

Clear and Economical Fire Rated Glazing that Outperforms Wired Glass Now Available in Canada

After extensive review, the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) just released CAN/CGSB Safety Glazing Standard 12.1-2017. Last updated in 1990, the revised standard now applies to all safety glazing materials used in Canada, not just tempered and laminated glass.  At the same time, CSGB also withdrew CAN/CGSB-12.11 Wired Safety Glass, which applied a lower 12” drop height (100 ft. lbs.) to assess wired glass as a safety glass.  To qualify as safety glazing used in doors, sidelites and other locations where impact safety is required, all glazing products must meet a Class B rating (18” drop height/150 ft. lbs.) or the more stringent Class A rating (48” drop height/400 ft. lbs.).  Traditional polished wired glass does not even meet the lower Class B rating,

This standard change is due to the overwhelming public safety concern from several injury reports and multi-million dollar lawsuits stemming from accidental impact with wire glass, which is the most commonly used fire rated glazing product commercial buildings most especially in schools. According to an expert quoted the the article “Wired glass injures as many as one child a day in Canadian schools, expert says” that appeared in Global News, the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange (OSBIE) reported more than $5.8 million in costs for 114 wired glass injury claims from 2001 and 2015.

Because CAN/CGSB Safety Glazing Standard 12.1-2017 will be the referenced safety glazing standard in the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC), traditional wired glass will no longer be permitted in fire rated glazing applications such as doors and sidelites, and should not be used in any location where impact safety is a concern. Ceramic manufacturers are quick to jump on board as a replacement, but it’s important to realize that plain ceramics are no better than wired glass – it is very brittle and breaks like annealed glass.  To meet CAN/CGSB 12.1 2017, ceramics have to be either filmed or laminated, which adds to its already high cost. 

Here is how annealed glass, wired glass, ceramics and tempered glass performed in a 48” drop height (400 ft. lbs.) safety glazing test. Note that only tempered glass survived the impact test without any breakage:

Ceramics also have an amber tint, and no matter how much polishing the more expensive versions undergo, it will never have the same appearance and optical clarity as tempered glass. And just like wired glass, ceramics do not protect against dangerous radiant heat, which is a critical safety concern. Here is a short video on why fire rated glazing should protect against radiant heat:

SuperLite II-XL 45: The Clear and Economical Product that Outperforms Wired and Ceramic Glass

SuperLite II-XL 45, clear fire resistive tempered glass, meets the maximum impact safety standard and protects against fire, smoke and dangerous radiant heat. This product can be used in any 20-45 minute application and is listed and labeled by ULC and Intertek/WHI for 20-45 minute applications with hose stream.

Unlike wired and ceramic glass that are imported from Asia or Europe and available through middle-man distributors, SuperLite II-XL 45 is proudly made in North America and available directly from the manufacturer. This is why SuperLite II-XL 45 is competitively priced while offering the optical clarity and performance that wired and ceramic glass cannot match.

What about 60-120 minute fire rated applications?

By code, 60-120 minute applications must meet CAN/ULC S101 , or the fire resistive requirement.  Glazing used in this application is considered a transparent wall, capable of blocking smoke, flame and dangerous radiant heat for an extended period of time.  Because of this, fire resistive glazing that meets CAN/ULC S101 are not subject to size and area limitations in NBCC Section 3.1.8 Fire Separations and Closures.  Note that the framing used must also meet CAN/ULC S101 in order to achieve a code-compliant assembly.

SAFTI FIRST offers many options for 60-120 minute fire resistive assemblies, including walls and entrances, curtain walls, butt-glazed walls, floors and decorative applications.  It can also be customized to further protect against blast, bullets, attack and hurricanes.

Here’s how fire resistive glazing can transform any space while still meeting all fire rated code requirements:

Contact us today to see how SAFTI FIRST can meet your fire rated project needs, or reach out to our Canadian Architectural Representatives for assistance. We will be happy to assist you!

Share:
PrevNext ArticleAchieving Truly Transparent Design with Fire Rated Butt-Glazed Walls
Previous ArticleWhat Firefighters Can Teach Architects About Radiant HeatNext
Back to Articles

Engineering. Design. Code.

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.

Let's Talk!

  • 888.653.3333
    (English)
  • 888.653.3333 ext. 652
    (Spanish)
  • info@safti.com
  • Representative Map
Contact
Phone
888.653.3333 - English
888.653.3333 ext. 652 - Spanish
Fax
888.653.4444
Email
info@safti.com
Address
Corporate
100 N Hill Dr, Ste12, Brisbane, CA 94005
Factory
220 S R Street, Merced, CA 95341

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Get notified of industry updates and new product alerts.

AFFILIATE COMPANIES
Division 5
1850 Grogan Ave, Merced, CA 95341
888.653.3333
Division 8
1891 Wardrobe Ave, Merced, CA 95341
866.848.2667
© 2025 SAFTI FIRST. All rights reserved.​
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
Instagram Linkedin Facebook Youtube Vimeo
Suggested Pages
Case Studies
Request a Quote
SuperClear® 45-HS-LI
Continuing Education
Request a Quote
Continuing Education
Videos
SuperClear® 45-HS-LI
Case Studies
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.


This website uses cookies to improve user experience. A cookie file is stored in your web browser and allows the website to recognize you and make your next visit easier and the website more useful to you. By using our website, you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookies Policy. Learn more.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}