| When you think of fire protection in a building, what comes to mind? Fire extinguishers? Smoke alarms? Sprinkler systems? Chances are that window glass wasn't at the top of the list. While fire-rated glass has been an important component in building safety for decades, most professionals in the industry know relatively little about it. As a result, it isn't difficult for the incorrect product to be specified, installed and approved - potentially putting lives and property at unnecessary risk. |
 We'll begin with some basic definitions. Just what is fire-rated glass? As the name implies, it is glass that has proven to offer a certain degree of protection in the face of fire. That may sound like a strange task for glass to perform. Obviously, glass can't extinguish a fire or warn a building's occupants that there's any danger. But fire-rated glass can help keep flames and smoke from spreading from one room to another. The official term for this is compartmentation, and it means that glass can play a vital role in restricting fire damage to a limited area. To the casual observer, it would seem that any glass could do that. After all, fire-rated glass looks deceptively similar to its non-rated counterparts. However, in reality, most glass offers little, if any, fire protection. For instance, standard window glass will break when the temperature reaches approximately 250° F. Tempered glass can last until about 500°F. In contrast, fire-rated glass can typically survive heat in excess of 1600° F. That's a marked difference in performance. With structural fires capable of reaching extremely high temperatures very quickly, the need for this specialty glass is easy to recognize. To earn its stripes, fire-rated glass must pass a battery of tests established by national test standards. Independent laboratories (such as U.L.) run the tests, then assign an appropriate rating based on the results. The ratings are time increments, reflecting the duration of testing the product endured. That duration is intended to correspond to the length of time the glass should be expected to perform reliably in a fire. So if a product has a 45 minute rating, theoretically you could count on it containing flames and smoke for the first 45 minutes of a fire. |
Arctic Construction - Blog
How Structural Insulated Panels Work
If you've ever seen a typical house being built, at one stage in the process you probably saw a wooden latticework of spindly 2x4s outlining a shape somewhat reminiscent of a whale's ribcage. But although this method is currently the standard, there are other ways to build a home -- and some of them can save you quite a bit of money in the long run.
One of these alternate techniques is to construct a house using SIPs, which stands for structural insulated panels. SIPs are prefabricated solid sheets of building material that are generally constructed of a foam core surrounded on each side by a layer of oriented strand board (OSB). They're most commonly used for walls and roofs, but can also serve as floors and foundations.
The idea behind structural insulated panels was first conceived of in the 1930s, but the invention really took shape in 1952 with the creation of the first foam-filled SIP [source: SIPA]. The advent of CAD/CAM technology and CNC machining further energised the process. Using CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software means the blueprints for an SIP house can be converted into detailed instructions for a CNC (computerised numerical control) machine. Then it can quickly and accurately whip out the exact components needed. This made the process more efficient and streamlined, minimising waste and reducing cost.
You might be wondering at this point: If SIPs were such a hot new idea, how come stick frame houses are still popping up like weeds? The answer, in a nutshell, is that building trends often shift at a glacial pace. SIPs met with success in the 1970s during the energy crisis, but as that faded away, so did much of the popularity of building energy-efficient homes. Since energy issues are just one of the many concerns touching today's markets, SIPs and similar building prospects are waiting in the wings, ready to make a big comeback.
Comments (7957)
Indiana -
31-Jul-2020 10:37 AM
You've one of the better web-sites.
My site :: flight ticket booking
Kandis -
31-Jul-2020 10:41 AM
Just want to point out I am just relieved I stumbled on the web page.
Also visit my homepage:air tickets
Werner -
31-Jul-2020 10:47 AM
Great looking web site. Think you did a bunch of your very own html coding.
my homepage;cheap flights to orlando florida
Alvaro -
02-Aug-2020 02:29 PM
viagra without a prescription http://viagrastoreon.com - viagra professional
viagra without a prescription
viagra online prescription free buy online viagra order generic viagra
우리카지노 -
02-Aug-2020 02:35 PM
Hi there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to
manually code with HTML. I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get
guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated! https://sites.google.com/view/baccarat-how-to-win-more/home
Tanya -
03-Aug-2020 06:56 AM
viagra pills order https://viagaragen.com/ - buy generic viagra online
viagra 100mg
canada pharmacy online generic viagra price generic viagra soft
Bruno -
03-Aug-2020 08:09 AM
It takes a little longer to convert to ketones, but it's more economical.
Manufacturers of exogenous ketone supplements uk -Learn Even more Here, supplements advise occupying to three servings each day.
Stormy -
03-Aug-2020 06:16 PM
Having optimum levels of vitamin D is necessary for everybody's health, including individuals following ketogenicsupplements to take during keto diet regimens.
http://Gallerychoi.com/Exhibition/2330791 -
05-Aug-2020 11:28 AM
Your pics look great !!! http://bbs.Cekun.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=4849&do=profile
آرین -
05-Aug-2020 07:43 PM
این یادداشت مشاوره و پیشنهاد مناسب برای کسانی است که می خواهند حوالی محتویات مانسته به این مطلب مطالعه بیشتری داشته باشند
Here is my siteهتل ارزان امارات
Logan -
05-Aug-2020 08:41 PM
You're an extremely practical site; could not make it without ya!
Stop by my blog post:website hosting
Rosalina -
05-Aug-2020 08:53 PM
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article. I wanted to write a little comment too suppoort you.
казино на реальные деньги с выводом web page online
Cosmolot club
Douglas -
05-Aug-2020 09:51 PM
Many thanks! It a astounding web page!
Stop by my web blog -hosting services
Warner -
05-Aug-2020 09:52 PM
Many thanks, this website hosting companies is extremely useful.
Lillie -
05-Aug-2020 09:58 PM
You've gotten amazing stuff listed here.
Here is my blog post:website host
Richie -
05-Aug-2020 10:20 PM
say thanks to so a lot for your site it helps a lot.
Here is my web site -website hosting companies
Kandi -
05-Aug-2020 10:39 PM
Hello there, cool internet site you have going here.
Feel free to surf to my web blog;best hosting
Stephaine -
06-Aug-2020 01:30 PM
The ketogenic diet plan basically uses your body fat as a power resource - so there are obvious fat burning advantages.
Also visit my websiteketo weight loss plus and apple cider vinegar
Rosaura -
06-Aug-2020 04:47 PM
Love the site-- really individual pleasant and whole lots to see!
Also visit my homepagethiết kế web vũng tàu
Todd -
07-Aug-2020 12:36 AM
Sustain the outstanding job !! Lovin' it!
My web pagequán nướng ngon nhất
Edgardo -
08-Aug-2020 07:05 AM
Yay google is my world beater helped me to find this great internet site!
Also visit my homepage - Brain Injury Lawyer Ontario (click the following internet site)
Jerrell -
08-Aug-2020 07:25 AM
Whoah this blog is fantastic i like studying your posts.
Stay up the great paintings! You recognize, a lot of persons are hunting round for this information, you could help them greatly.
Here is my web-site; Crane Management Software; twitter.com,
Pamala -
08-Aug-2020 10:38 AM
I got this website from my friend who shared with me concerning this web page and now this time I am browsing this website and reading very informative articles or reviews here.
my web-site - Ontario Workers Compensation Lawyer [Markets Winslowevanscrocker's website]
Malinda -
08-Aug-2020 12:22 PM
I pay a quick visit day-to-day a few web sites Slip And Fall Cases Ontario (go to these guys) sites to read posts, however this blog provides quality based articles.
Kareem -
08-Aug-2020 12:40 PM
Does your blog have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but, I'd like to shoot you an e-mail.
I've got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
my blog Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer near Ontario California -http://markets.financialcontent.com/gafri/news/read/39355052/Traumatic_Brain_Injury_Lawyer_Ready_To_Take_On_New_Clients_In_Southern_California -