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

Newsletters

Fire Resistive, Blast Rated Curtain Wall That Meets DoD Requirements (December 2017)

Architect: RLF/US Army Corps of Engineers
Glazing Contractor: Sashco
Products Used: GPX Blast System– fire resistive blast curtain wall system up to 2 hours (exterior); SuperLite II-XL 60 and 120 in GPX Architectural Series Wall Framing (interior)

Blast Rated Curtain Wall that Meets DoD Antiterrorism Standards

The Department of Defense (DoD) published the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-010-01 Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings as a mandatory guideline to mitigate the threats of terrorism against buildings and ensure the safety of the individuals that inhabit them. It applies to all newly constructed DoD Components, DoD inhabited buildings, billeting and high-occupancy housing, as well as already inhabited buildings where the renovation costs are 50% or more than the value of the building (for a complete list, please see UFC 4-010-01 section 1.8).

One of the areas that the UFC standard addresses in great detail is blast hazard mitigation, particularly in window systems, due to the fact that the majority of the damage and injuries are caused by high velocity glass fragments on people in the building or in the vicinity when a blast occurs. SAFTI FIRST became very familiar with the DoD’s blast requirements when they were selected by the architects to supply a fire resistive, blast rated curtain wall for an Army Hospital in the West Coast.

The fire resistive, blast rated curtain wall in this medical facility is located near a drive-up/drop off area, which typically is exempt from building hardening requirements (see Section B-1.3). However, since this Army Hospital is classified as a critical facility – defined in Section 1-7.3 as “buildings that must remain operational during periods of national crisis and may be subjected to a terrorist attack may warrant design to higher levels of protection that those provided in these standards” – the following blast ratings were required by the army:

  • Provide laminated glass with a minimum interlayer thickness of 0.030 in. (0.75 mm) with a load resistance determined by ASTM E1300 greater or equal to the 3-second duration equivalent design load determined from ASTM F2248.
  • In accordance with ASTM F2248, ensure that the framing members restrict deflections to 1/160 of the length of the supported edge at allowable stress levels under the equivalent 3-second design loading of 50 lbs. psf.
  • The connection design will be determined in accordance with ASTM F2248 based on two times the equivalent 3-second design loading of 50 lbs. psf.

Sections of the blast rated curtain wall also had to meet a 2-hour, ASTM E-119 fire resistive rating per Section 1023.7 of the IBC, which says:

“… Where nonrated walls or unprotected openings enclose the exterior of stairways or ramps and the walls or openings are exposed by other parts of the building at an angle of less than 180 degrees (3.14 rad), the building exterior walls within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally of a nonrated wall or unprotected opening shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.”

In addition to the blast and fire resistive performance, the curtain wall system also had to meet windload requirements, static and dynamic water testing, air infiltration testing as well as thermal movement requirements. The design of the fire resistive, blast rated curtain wall system was also a challenge. The design called for a glass and framing system that spanned 45 feet and canted out a few degrees.

With all these performance and design requirements, it was clear that the architects and the US Army were looking for fire rated systems manufacturer with unique fabrication capabilities that could deliver a high-performance, custom-engineered curtain wall system. After reviewing several proposals, the design team chose SAFTI FIRST to deliver the solution they desired.

GPX Blast fire resistive blast curtain wall system up to 2 hours (exterior); SuperLite II-XL 60 and 120 in GPX Architectural series wall framing (interior)
The 2 hour, fire resistive GPX Blast System spanned 45 feet and canted out a few degrees.

SAFTI FIRST supplied the GPX Blast System, a complete fire resistive, blast rated, aluminum curtain wall manufactured and fabricated in Merced, CA. The GPX Blast system uses custom ASTM E-119 rated, fire resistive SuperLite II-XL glazing with one tempered and laminated lite with a minimum interlayer of 0.030 in. designed in accordance with ASTM F2248: Standard Practice for Specifying an Equivalent 3-Second Duration Design Loading for Blast Resistant Glazing Fabricated with Laminated Glass. It also meets a 3-second design loading of 50 lbs. psf per UFC 4-010-01 and ASTM E1300: Standard Practice for Determining Load Resistance of Glass in Buildings.

The GPX Blast System can be engineered to meet all levels of blast protection depending on the project, with static and dynamic analysis using Wingard software, which is standard industry practice and allowable under DoD standards. It is also offered in standard and custom finishes including high performance fluoropolymer finishes by PPG, clear anodized, bronze anodized, black anodized, Decoral, any species of wood veneer, ornamental metal, and more.

SAFTI FIRST also supplied SuperLite II-XL 60 and 120 in GPX Architectural Series framing for the stairwells and atriums, which incorporated warm gray spandrel glass for a decorative effect.

1 hour fire resistive atrium walls with SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Architectural Series framing. Some units incorporated warm gray spandrel glass for a decorative effect.
2 hour fire resistive stairwells with SuperLite II-XL 120 in GPX Architectural Series framing.

Because this was a high-security project, SAFTI FIRST’s project management team worked with the construction team to ensure that all the schedules were met and that appropriate security clearances were obtained to ensure smooth and timely delivery of all product being supplied.

The result is an elegant, high-performance solution that met both the aesthetic, security and performance requirements of a modern Army Hospital that promotes healing for the brave men and women who serve our country.

Share:
PrevPrevious NewsletterIBC Fire Door Requirement and Sprinkler Exceptions (September 2017)
Next Newsletter-Code Change Proposals Aim to Close More Loopholes on Uncontrolled Radiant Heat Transmission | NewsletterNext

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}