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
Fire Rated Glass for 45 Minute Applications
Code Education

Fire Rated Glass for 45 Minute Applications

BySAFTI FIRST Team
| August 7, 2015

Understanding Fire Rated Glass for 45 Minute Applications

45-minute rated glazing applications continue to be a confusing area of the code, and it’s understandable given the several caveats and exceptions to its use. However, 45-minute glazing applications are where architects and building owners can find significant cost savings while increasing the level of protection. The key is to understand the codes and know the difference between various product options.

45 Minute Fire-Rated Glass Testing and Code Requirements

45 minute fire rated glass is used in fire protective doors, sidelites, transoms and openings that are tested to the following standards:

  • NFPA 252, Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
  • NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Tests for Window and Glass Block Assemblies
  • UL 9, Standard for Safety Fire Tests of Window Assemblies
  • UL 10B, Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
  • UL 10C, Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies

Architects and specifiers can turn to Chapter 7 of the International Building Code (IBC) for guidance on where 45-minute glazing is allowed:

Excerpt from IBC Table 716.5 OPENING FIRE PROTECTION ASSEMBLIES, RATINGS AND MARKINGS

Fire Rated Glass for 45 Minute Applications

Excerpt from IBC Table 716.6 FIRE WINDOW ASSEMBLY FIRE PROTECTION RATINGS

Fire Rated Glass for 45 Minute Applications

The IBC limits the use of 45-minute glazing to 25% of the wall area because it blocks smoke and flames but not radiant heat. Additionally, it must meet ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat. I or II impact safety requirements when used in doors, sidelites and other hazardous locations.

45 Minute Application Production Options

There are many product options for 45-minute glazing. While they all meet the same code requirements, they vary greatly in performance, appearance and cost.
Wired glass used to be the most commonly used product for this application, largely in part because it was the only available fire rated glazing at the time. It was mistakenly perceived as “safety glazing” because the embedded wires gave the illusion of increased strength and impact resistance, when in fact, the opposite is true. Wire actually weakens the glass, making it half as strong as ordinary annealed glass. It breaks easily on human impact, exposing razor -sharp wires that can trap a victim’s limb in the opening and increase the severity of the injury. This prompted several code changes that limited its use, and today the IBC states that wired glass cannot be used in doors, sidelites or any hazardous locations unless it meets the same impact safety standards governing all glazing products.

The emergence of the use of fire rated glass ceramic resulted in part due to the architects’ desire for wire-free glazing. However, like wired glass, it is extremely brittle and easily broken. As a result, it must be filmed or laminated to meet safety glazing requirements when used in doors, sidelites and hazardous locations.

Unlike wired glass, glass ceramic is expensive – in fact, of all the 45-minute glazing options, it has the highest cost, ranging from $100 to $120/square foot for the laminated version. Aside from a higher price and a fragile nature, glass ceramic typically has a tint that is quite different than float glass which cannot be removed no matter how much surface polishing the more expensive premium versions undergo.

The Best Clear Solution for 45 Minute Applications

The good news for architects and designers is that there is a readily available wire and tint-free 45-minute glazing option that meets all fire and safety requirements at a fraction of the cost of glass ceramics. SAFTIFIRST offers patent-pending SuperClear 45-HS-LI,  a revolutionary optically clear, USA-made specialty fire protective product that meets UL 9, UL 10B, UL 10C, NFPA 252, NFPA 257, CAN/ULC S104 and CAN/ULC S106 with hose stream.   It also meets CPSC Cat. II impact safety (the federal maximum) without the need for safety films or lamination. SuperClear 45-HS-LI is made with low-iron glass, with an approximate VLT of 90%.  It has the same neutral coloration of float glass, it provides a uniform, tint-free appearance within a door assembly when used in sidelites and transoms alongside 20-minute doors glazed with economical specialty tempered glass.  All of these advantages are available to designers and end-users at a fraction of the price compared to filmed or laminated ceramic used in the same 45 minute fire rated glass applications.  To learn more about SuperClear 45-HS-LI, you can watch this short video.

 45 minute fire rated glass in 1 hour exist corridor
SuperClear 45-HS-LI (patent pending)  in a 1 hour exit corridor at the The Quad at the University of Houston. 

If radiant heat is a concern for 45 minute applications, SAFTI FIRST has SuperLite II-XL 45, a clear, fire resistive glazing product tested to ASTM E-119, UL 263 and CAN/ULC S101.  It meets the required hose stream test and provides full radiant heat protection.  Like SuperClear 45-HS-LI, SuperLite II-XL is available with low-iron make-ups for superior optical clarity.   It also meets CPSC Cat. II impact safety (the federal maximum) without the need for safety films or lamination.

For architects looking for an even more affordable, USA-made product for 45-minute applications, SuperLite I-XL 45 is another option. SuperLite I-XL 45 is a specialty tempered product that doesn’t have any amber tint typical of glass ceramics, meets CPSC Cat. II impact safety requirements and offers partial radiant heat protection. Here in the USA, SuperLite I-XL 45 must be submitted as an alternative fire rated glazing material to the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) under section 104.11 of the International Building Code because it is tested without hose stream (see footnote below).

Today, SuperLite I-XL 45 is accepted by the GSA (General Services Administration) and numerous AHJ’s across the US (see list) as an alternative fire rated glazing material in 45-minute applications for the many benefits that it offers. Building officials, designers and end-users accept the fact that at 45 minutes, radiant heat protection that allows for safe egress is far more important than meeting the hose stream test (see video – Radiant Heat: The Invisible Killer). There are several resources available on our website regarding SuperLite I-XL 45, including a Technical Bulletin that is designed for design professionals and AHJs.

If you have additional code or product-related questions, please do not hesitate contact our technical department at codesupport@saft.com. Our team of experts is ready to assist you with any current or upcoming project that you may have. You are also welcome to visit us online at www.safti.com or call us toll-free at 888.653.3333.


Footnote:

Building codes allow SuperLite I-XL 45 to be submitted to the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) as an alternate material in 45 minute applications under Section 104.11 of the International Building Code:

104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

The commentary section further states that:

The code is not intended to inhibit innovative ideas or technological advances. A comprehensive regulatory document, such as a building code, cannot envision and then address all future innovations in the industry. As a result, a performance code must be applicable to and provide a basis for the approval of an increasing number of newly developed, innovative materials, systems and methods for which no code text or referenced standards yet exist. The fact that a material, product or method of construction is not addressed in the code is not an indication that such material, product or method is intended to be prohibited. The building official is expected to apply sound technical judgment in accepting materials, systems or methods that, while not anticipated by the drafters of the current code text, can be demonstrated to offer equivalent performance.

Share:
PrevNext ArticleFAQ Fire Rated Glass in 1 hour Exit Corridors
Previous ArticleAll you need to know for Fire Rated Door AssembliesNext
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}