'With our glass systems, customers catch several birds with one stone'

(Fire) safety and (noise) comfort at its best

In Dutch construction, there are specific requirements for fire penetration, flashover and smoke resistance. For example, to delay the spread and spread of a fire and to provide a safe escape route for everyone present in the building, compartmentation divisions and extra safe escape routes such as staircases must be fitted with fire-resistant glass. Interior Glassolutions B.V. offers various solutions for this. Moreover, the Veenendaal-based specialist in glass systems for interior applications supplies and installs an extensive range of smoke-resistant glass systems, which comply with the latest European Sa and S200 classifications.

The Building Code sets specific requirements for resistance to fire penetration and spread (WBDBO), knows Geurt Roelofsen, director of Interior Glassolutions B.V. "In addition, fire-resistant glass had to meet certain resistance classes, such as E, EW or EI. Resistance class E replaced in July 2021 the European Sa (cold smoke, tested at a temperature of 20°C) and S200 (hot smoke, tested at a temperature of 200°C) classifications. An important and good development, because not the fire itself, but additional smoke development is the number one cause of injury and death in a fire. Meanwhile, all our glass systems have been successfully tested in accordance with the European Sa and S200 classifications. With this we demonstrably meet all the latest requirements for smoke spread and fire and escape safety."

Safe escape route

Fire-resistant glass is tempered glass with a metal coating and/or colorless and fire-resistant interlayer, Roelofsen says. "Most popular in this area is our gel-coated safety glass. If an unexpected fire breaks out, the fire side of this glass will break. At that moment, the fire-resistant gel coating of the glass wall or door comes into contact with oxygen and will automatically foam up. As a result, heat radiation and/or temperature are overcome, creating a temporary barrier and safe escape route." 

Unobstructed view

In addition, to provide sufficient resistance to smoke passage, specific requirements are placed on the frame construction and installation materials. "Any gaps must be perfectly sealed so that (dense) smoke does not obstruct the view of fleeing employees and visitors," Roelofsen said. "Recent tests have shown that the gap seals we use for our soundproof glass systems also meet the Sa and S200 requirements perfectly. So with this, our customers catch several birds with one stone. In our products, (fire) safety and (noise) comfort go perfectly hand in hand. Not for nothing do the products find eager demand among architects and end users."