Fire Proof Glass FAQs
Building Codes & Safety Requirements
Traditional or conventional wired glass is not permitted in Hazardous Locations per IBC 2406 and does not meet ANSI Z97.1 impact performance.
However, Ray-Bar Fire Rated WireLite-NT is safety filmed to meet ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II Impact Resistance standards and complies with current International Building Code IBC 2406 requirements, and is available in 45 minute, 60 minute and up to 90 minute fire ratings.
Find out more about how to choose the right fire rated product for your application. View our comprehensive list of Ray-Bar Fire Rated Glass Products that includes Fire and Safety Codes and Standards References.
Product Types
FireLite is basically a clear glass-ceramic material very similar to electric ranges and stove flat glass cook-tops which are typically black, with heating elements on the underside and allow heat to transfer to pots and pans for relatively safe cooking procedures. FireLite is also similar to fireplace glass-ceramic panels such as Neoceram.
The "FireLite" brand family of clear glass-ceramic product glazing panes provide fire protective performance for vision frames in rated doors, and windows in fire rated wall partitions. These products are tested by Underwriter Laboratories to fire protective standards which provide proper listing and sizes for various fire ratings by minutes and applications up to 90 minute in a wall and up to 180 minutes in a rated door, with maximum allowable clear view "daylight" size limitations.
Ray-Bar's UL File number for FireLite, FireLite-NT, FireLite+Plus and FireLite IGU fire rated products is R38927.
FireLite meets UL 9, UL 10B, UL 10C and National Fire Protection Association standards NFPA 80, 252 and 257 and passes positive pressure and the required Hose stream tests.
FireLite glass-ceramic is available as Impact Resistant as 3/16" thick "FireLite-NT" with a surface applied clear safety film on 1-face, or as 5/16" thick "FireLite+Plus" with 2 layers of FireLite glass-ceramic laminated together with a special clear interlayer bonded in between. Both of these FireLite clear glass-ceramic fire rated products meet current International Building Code IBC 2406 "Safety Glazing" requirements for Impact Resistant glazing occurring in "hazardous locations" defined such in doors vision window frames, or in sidelights, or in walls located within 24" of a door opening, and meeting ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II impact resistant safety performance standards, and are permanently labeled as such. This fire rated glass product is a barrier to flame and smoke.
This product is not a barrier to radiant heat.
WireLite is a 1/4" thick fire rated wired glass in a standard Diamond pattern for installation in vision frames in fire rated wood or metal doors or windows in walls.
WireLite is fire protective tested, classified and listed by Underwriters Laboratories for doors up to 90 minutes (with maximum clear "daylight" view size limitations) and for windows that occur in fire rated walls up to 45 minutes. Ray-Bar's UL File number for WireLite and WireLite IGU fire rated products is R38927.
WireLite meets UL 9, UL 10B, UL 10C and National Fire Protection Association standards NFPA 80, 252 and 257 and passes positive pressure and the required Hose stream tests.
1/4" thick "WireLite-NT" with a surface applied clear safety film on 1-face is Impact Resistant and meets current International Building Code IBC 2406 "Safety Glazing" requirements for Impact Resistant glazing occurring in "hazardous locations" defined such in doors vision window frames, or in sidelights, or in walls located within 24" of a door opening, and meeting ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II impact resistant safety performance standards, and are permanently labeled as such.
Ray-Bar only offers this fire rated glass product as clear safety filmed Impact Resistant "WireLite-NT", for practical, ethical and safety peace of mind.
This fire protective rated glass product is a barrier to flame and smoke. This product is not a barrier to radiant heat. For fire resistive glazing for flame, smoke and radiant heat please request Pilkington Pyrostop.
Fireglass 20 is a 1/4" thick very clear tempered fire rated glass for installation only in doors to meet a 20 minute rating.
Fireglass 20 is a heat-tempered safety glass and meets current International Building Code IBC 2406 "Safety Glazing" requirements for Impact Resistant glazing occurring in "hazardous locations" defined as in door vision window frames.
Fireglass 20 meets UL 9, UL 10B, UL 10C and National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 252, WITHOUT HOSE STREAM test.
Fireglass 20 is listed under UL file number R13377.
Fireglass 20 will not pass the hose stream test, and is not resistant to thermal shock.
Tempered glass is typically 4x (400%) stronger than regular monolithic annealed glass, and also stronger than wired glass.
Fireglass 20 is fire protective tested, classified and listed by Underwriters Laboratories for doors to 20 minutes (with maximum clear "daylight" view size limitations).
Fireglass 20 is only for 20 minute rated door vision frame applications, and can not be utilized in any windows that occur in a fire rated wall assembly.
This fire rated glass product is a barrier to flame and smoke. This product is not a barrier to radiant heat. For fire resistive glazing for flame, smoke and radiant heat please request Pilkington Pyrostop. For higher rated fire protective glass products for flame and smoke please see our FireLite product lines and technical data.
Testing Standards
As required in the U.S. by UL 9 and NFPA 257 for fire ratings over 20 minute, immediately after the glazing material fire test is conducted at the testing lab facility in a furnace heated for 45 minutes at more than 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, then the glazing material or assembly while still hot is subjected to a water "hose stream" of over 30 psi or more, for testing erosion, impact forces, sudden cooling (AKA "thermal shock") and integrity. In Canada all fire glazing products must pass this test.
Please Note: Fireglass 20 clear tempered fire glass does NOT pass the Hose Stream test, and is only for vision frames installed in doors for a 20 minute rating in the U.S.
All 3/16" FireLite, 3/16" FireLite-NT, 5/16" FireLite+Plus, FireLite IGU's and 1/4" WireLite-NT offered by Ray-Bar all pass the Hose Stream Test as performed by UL.
Ray-Bar's UL file number for these fire rated glazing products is R38927.
These fire protective rated glass products are a barrier to flame and smoke.
These products are not a barrier to radiant heat. For fire resistive glazing for flame, smoke and radiant heat please request Pilkington Pyrostop.
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.
