| 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. |
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)
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.
Merrill -
08-Aug-2020 01:20 PM
Keep on writing, great job!
my web-site ... Woodworking Flag Display Case Plans;her explanation,
Zack -
08-Aug-2020 01:41 PM
Fantastic web site. Lots of useful information here. I'm sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thank you in your sweat!
Feel free to visit my blogSpinal Decompression santa Monica
Nadia -
08-Aug-2020 03:03 PM
Wow! In the end I got a weblog from where I be able to truly get helpful facts regarding my study and knowledge.
Visit my web page - Culver City Custom Orthotics,Read A great deal more,
Chun -
08-Aug-2020 03:21 PM
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it.
I have got you book marked to check out new things you post?
Look into my web-site; At Home Treatment Diabetes;read this post from reversediabetes.club,
Jocelyn -
08-Aug-2020 05:08 PM
obviously like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth however I'll surely come again again.
Look at my blog :: Dog Attack Lawyer Around Los Angeles CA
Felix -
08-Aug-2020 07:55 PM
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Opera. I'm not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I'd post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Thanks
Visit my blog -Best Auto Accident Lawyer West Covina CA
Elisa -
09-Aug-2020 01:11 AM
Hi, constantly i used California Law On Time To Offer On A Uninsured Motorist Claim (click the next webpage) check web site posts here in the early hours in the morning, because i like to gain knowledge of more and more.
Mickey -
09-Aug-2020 03:04 AM
Great internet site! It looks really expert! Sustain the excellent work!
Have a look at my website -backconnect proxy
Gladys -
09-Aug-2020 11:47 AM
Ⅿy family membеrs always say that I am wasting my tіme here at web, еxcept І
know І ɑm ɡetting experience daily bү reading thes pleasant articles.
Ϲan You My blog post - Togel Online
Dolly -
11-Aug-2020 01:45 AM
You're an extremely practical web site; could not make it without ya!
my web-sitegirl xinh
Felicitas -
12-Aug-2020 01:30 PM
the complete keto diet cookbook for beginners 2019 pdf high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet regimen is complied with for different factors, from advertising weight loss to boosting athletic efficiency.
Gayle -
13-Aug-2020 12:12 AM
Sustain the good job and bringing in the crowd!
Also visit my webpage -online porno
Luisa -
13-Aug-2020 06:52 AM
For the past couple of decades, male enhancement pills reviews improvement pills have made a huge impression on the marketplace.
Santiago -
14-Aug-2020 03:08 AM
Wow because this is really great work! Congrats and keep it up.
Here is my homepage ::click here
Nereida -
14-Aug-2020 09:16 PM
Привет!! Есть горячие промокоды для БК Бетвиннер!
Их не найти на сайте БК, потому что
это специальная акция от партнёров букмекера.
Кому интересны мощные бонусы или фрибеты – переходите и применяйте.
Спешите – предложение с промокодами 2020 для Бетвиннер действует прямо сейчас!
https://betwinner-promocod.ru/
انوشه -
15-Aug-2020 08:39 PM
من این مطلب را خواندم و می توانم این پیغام را به دیگران غصه پیشنهاد کنم
Here is my homepage:https://www.golfamsafar.com/hotel/mow/
Kathleen -
15-Aug-2020 09:03 PM
You have among the best online websites.
Here is my blog post :: гидра ссылка онион (http://www.hydra-2web.ru)
Lashay -
15-Aug-2020 09:58 PM
Truly beneficial look forth to visiting again.
My webpage; рабочие зеркала hydra -https://hydro.2web.info,
ملینا -
16-Aug-2020 01:08 AM
عالی است مطلب گردآوری شده توسط شما بی مر نیک نوشته شده است و من مطمئن هستم که این پست برای عدیده از وبلاگ نویسان مطبوع است
My web siteرزرو هتل ارزان تفلیس
Michael -
16-Aug-2020 06:35 AM
thank a lot for your internet site it helps a lot.
Also visit my blog;OpenVPN IP leak
Enrique -
17-Aug-2020 03:25 AM
I adore this website - its so usefull and helpfull.
Here is my homepage :: гидра форум,hidra.2web.info,
Walker -
17-Aug-2020 03:25 AM
Superb content you've going here.
Take a look at my homepage - зайти на hydra center (hydra-shop.2web.info)
Danelle -
17-Aug-2020 09:23 AM
Hi my family member! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos.
I would like to see extra posts like this.
Feel free to surf to my web pagespam backlinks
Santiago -
17-Aug-2020 03:42 PM
Or, getting enough portions of sure nutrients purely through food is basically tricky.
Look into my web blog:natural foods that help burn fat
تیام -
17-Aug-2020 06:36 PM
من دل آسوده هستم که در تمام اینترنت نبا مانسته به این پیغام بود ندارد زیرا مطلب تمام و کمال یافته ی پیرامون این مبحث است
Check out my web page:____ ______ ___ _____ _________