Fire Codes

Fire Codes are designed for the protection of Life and Safety for the occupants of the building and facilities in establishing the performance and standards that a product, component or assembly must meet, and be independently laboratory test proven and certified to be utilized in the construction of a building for public occupancy. All of Ray-Bar's Fire Rated glass products are properly permanently labeled as required in compliance with all applicable current fire, building and glass safety codes.

Fire Code Reference and Information Documents

The following below is an excerpt from the International Building Code Chapter 7 "FIRE RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION" regarding Fire Glass labeling requirements, and also from Chapter 24 "GLASS and GLAZING" Impact Resistant Safety Glazing standards and hazardous location requirements:

CHAPTER 7: FIRE RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION

703.6 Fire-Resistance-Rated Glazing

Fire-resistance-rated glazing, when tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263 and complying with the requirements of Section 707, shall be permitted. Fire-resistance-rated glazing shall bear a label marked in accordance with Table 716.3 issued by an agency and shall be permanently identified on the glazing.

TABLE 716.3 MARKING FIRE-RATED GLAZING ASSEMBLIES

FIRE TEST STANDARD	MARKING	DEFINITION OF MARKING
ASTM E119 or UL 263	W	Meets wall assembly criteria.
NFPA 257 or UL 9	OH	Meets fire window assembly criteria including the hose stream test.
NFPA 252 or UL 10B or UL 10C	D	Meets fire door assembly criteria.
	H	Meets fire door assembly hose stream test.
	T	Meets 450°F temperature rise criteria for 30 minutes
	XXX	The time in minutes of the fire resistance or fire protection rating of the glazing assembly.

*For a simplified visual summary of these labeling requirements please see our graphic PDF:
"Ray-Bar Fire Rated Glass Permanent Label and Marking Information Guide"

716.3.1 Fire-Rated Glazing Identification
For fire-rated glazing, the label shall bear the identification required in Tables 716.3 and 716.5. "D" indicates that the glazing is permitted to be used in fire door assemblies and that the glazing meets the fire protection requirements of NFPA 252. "H" shall indicate that the glazing meets the hose stream requirements of NFPA 252. "T" shall indicate that the glazing meets the temperature requirements of Section 716.5.5.1. The placeholder "XXX" represents the fire-rating period, in minutes.

716.3.2 Fire-Protection-Rated Glazing Identification
For fire-protection-rated glazing, the label shall bear the following identification required in Tables 716.3 and 716.6: "OH ‒ XXX." "OH" indicates that the glazing meets both the fire protection and the hose-stream requirements of NFPA 257 or UL 9 and is permitted to be used in fire window openings. The placeholder "XXX" represents the fire-rating period, in minutes.

716.3.3 Fire-Rated Glazing That Exceeds the Code Requirements
Fire-rated glazing assemblies marked as complying with hose stream requirements (H) shall be permitted in applications that do not require compliance with hose stream requirements. Fire-rated glazing assemblies marked as complying with temperature rise requirements (T) shall be permitted in applications that do not require compliance with temperature rise requirements. Fire-rated glazing assemblies marked with ratings (XXX) that exceed the ratings required by this code shall be permitted.

716.5.8.3 Labeling
Fire-rated glazing shall bear a label or other identification showing the name of the manufacturer, the test standard and information required in Table 716.3 that shall be issued by an approved agency and shall be permanently identified on the glazing.

716.5.8.4 Safety Glazing
Fire-protection-rated glazing and fire-resistance-rated glazing installed in fire door assemblies shall comply with the safety glazing requirements of Chapter 24 where applicable.

CHAPTER 24: GLASS and GLAZING ( IBC Safety Glazing Requirements)

2406.2 Impact Test
Where required by other sections of this code, glazing shall be tested in accordance with CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201. Glazing shall comply with the test criteria for Category II, unless otherwise indicated in Table 2406.2(1).

2406.3 Identification of Safety Glazing
Except as indicated in Section 2406.3.1, each pane of safety glazing installed in hazardous locations shall be identified by a manufacturer's designation specifying who applied the designation, the manufacturer or installer and the safety glazing standard with which it complies, as well as the information specified in Section 2403.1. The designation shall be acid etched, sand blasted, ceramic fired, laser etched, embossed or of a type that once applied, cannot be removed without being destroyed. A label meeting the requirements of this section shall be permitted in lieu of the manufacturer's designation.

2406.4 Hazardous Locations
The locations specified in Sections 2406.4.1 through 2406.4.7 shall be considered specific hazardous locations requiring safety glazing materials.

2406.4.1 Glazing in Doors
Glazing in all fixed and operable panels of swinging, sliding and bifold doors shall be considered a hazardous location.

2406.4.2 Glazing Adjacent to Doors
Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge of the glazing is within a 24-inch (610 mm) arc of either vertical edge of the door in a closed position and where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the walking surface shall be considered a hazardous location.

2406.4.3 Glazing in Windows
Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel that meets all of the following conditions shall be considered a hazardous location:

The exposed area of an individual pane is greater than 9 square feet (0.84 m2).
The bottom edge of the glazing is less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.
The top edge of the glazing is greater than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor.
One or more walking surface(s) are within 36 inches (914 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, of the plane of the glazing.

*For a simplified visual summary of these requirements please see our graphic PDF: Click here
"Ray-Bar Fire Rated Glass Hazardous Glazing Locations Requiring Impact Resistant Safety Glass per IBC 2406"

OTHER RELEVANT FIRE, BUILDING and GLAZING SAFETY STANDARDS, TESTING and CODES:

National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows
- Provides fire safety codes for rated window openings, fire glazing, doors and frames
National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 251 Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Resistance of Building Construction and Materials
- Provides performance standards for fire testing various Fire Resistant or protective building materials and assemblies
National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 252 Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
- Provides performance standards and procedures for the fire testing of window assemblies and glazing
National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 257 Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies
- Provides fire testing protocols and procedures for windows and glazing assemblies
American National Standards Institute / Underwriters Laboratories: ANSI/UL 263 Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
- Provides a standard of test methods and performance criteria for various Fire Resistant or protective building materials and assemblies
American Society for Testing Materials: ASTM E-119 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
- Provides Fire Test standards including time-heat curves, temperature rise, radiant heat and conductive heat resistive barrier performance
Underwriters Laboratories: ANSI/UL 263 Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.
- Provides performance standards for fire testing various Fire Resistant or protective building materials and assemblies
American National Standards Institute / Underwriters Laboratories: ANSI/UL 9 Fire Tests of Window Assemblies
- Provides fire testing performance standards for windows and glazing assemblies
Underwriters Laboratories: UL 10B Standard for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
- Provides performance standards and procedures for the fire testing of door assemblies and glazing with Hose Stream
Underwriters Laboratories: UL 10C Standard for Positive Pressure Tests of Door Assemblies
- Provides testing methods and standards for positive pressure fire resistant door, glazing and frame assemblies tests
American National Standards Institute: ANSI Z97.1 For Safety Glazing Materials used in Buildings Safety Performance Specifications and Methods of Test
- Provides a Safety Glass standard and test methods for Impact Resistance of Glass panes from both sides
U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission: CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing Materials
- Provides a standard for impact resistant glass test methods and federal mandates of Hazardous location requirements
International Building Code : IBC 2406 Safety Glazing
- Provides building code standards and mandates for safety glass, proper labeling and requirements including definitions of Hazardous Locations

Contact Us to Learn How Ray-Bar Can Be Your Fire Rated Glass Products Supplier

For 80+ years, Ray-Bar Engineering has set the standard in fabricating fire rated glass and manufacturing other protective glass products and related accessories. We proudly serve commercial, medical, and industrial customers nationwide, providing top-quality custom fire rated glass solutions for demanding applications. Our expert engineers and rigorous manufacturing practices ensure your products meet and exceed building industry quality, safety, and performance standards.

Contact us today to learn how we can promptly supply you with the best fire-rated glass solution for meeting your project's needs. For pricing estimates on your quote or order, request a quote online. With the fastest fabrication and order turnaround times and quick shipping, Ray-Bar Engineering is your source for unparalleled fire-rated glass products.