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Fire-rated window glazing assembly

E

ETThompson

Registered User
Joined
May 19, 2017
Messages
186
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Hi

I've always "known" that a hollow-metal window frame qualifies for the frame part of a fire-rated window assembly, but can't find any info in the code or elsewhere to back that up.

Can someone help point the way? Is any generic HM frame adequate? Or are there special requirements?

We have the labeled glazing part taken care of, so mostly just wondering about the frame.

The context, if it's relevant, is a 3 story, 12 unit mixed-use apartment building, construction type VB. We are fully sprinklered. The windows in question are 1' high by 4' long and are between the apartment unit bedrooms and an exterior breezeway corridor that serves as the primary circulation and egress path for the apartments.

In conversation with the Bldg. Dept, they are considering the wall these windows are in a Fire Partition, and so per the Opening Protective section we need a 20 minute rated glazed assembly (Table 716.6).

Thanks
 
Does the exterior breezeway qualify as an egress balcony? Or, is it open only at the ends?
 
However, to answer your question, the frames would be constructed and labeled just like a door frame for the rating indicated.
 
The breezeway does not neatly fall into any category in the code...which is why we negotiated with the Bldg. Dept official to determine how to consider it. (It was originally an Exterior Egress Stair, but the team did not realize the stairs were right up against the property line, and thus not allowed).

Thanks for the response.
 
The glass should have been tested in an assembly with the HM frame somewhere. You should be able to find a listing. Also believe the gauge of the meet will metal the requirement.
 
ETThompson said:
Yes, that "somewhere" is what I'm looking for...
Click to expand...


Not sure what you are looking for::

I would say you cannot go to lowes and buy metal and make a frame


716.1 General.

Opening protectives required by other sections of this code shall comply with the provisions of this section.

716.2 Fire-resistance-rated glazing.
Fire-resistance-rated glazing tested as part of a fire-resistance-rated wall or floor/ceiling assembly in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263 and labeled in accordance with Section 703.6 shall not otherwise be required to comply with this section where used as part of a wall or floor/ceiling assembly. Fire-resistance-ratedglazing shall be permitted in fire door and fire window assemblies where tested and installed in accordance with their listings and where in compliance with the requirements of this section.
 
Found this on the Raco website, they are a very common storefront system.

Raco Interior Products
RACO Interior Products, Inc. is the industry leader in the development and manufacturing of interio aluminum door frames and windows for use in commercial offic bulidings. RACO is credited as teh main innovator of interior aluminum framing systems and continues today with significant research and development.


RACO door frames, windows and aluminum/glass doors are finished at the facotry. Finishes include clear anodized and baked-on paint, eliminating the need for costly field finishing. The durability of RACO facotry finishes is superior to most field applied finishes.

RACO offers three framing systems with 10-minute and 90-minute fire rating capability to meet the specific needs of a project. T
 
2015 IBC
1021.2 Wall separation. Exterior egress balconies shall be
separated from the interior of the building by walls and opening
protectives as required for corridors.
Exception: Separation is not required where the exterior
egress balcony is served by not less than two stairways
and a dead-end travel condition does not require travel
past an unprotected opening to reach a stairway.
 
Maybe you can find something here:
NFPA 80-13, Fire Doors and Windows. Quincy, MA:
National Fire Protection Association, 2013.


cda said:
I would say you cannot go to lowes and buy metal and make a frame
Click to expand...

Not saying to build frame, was stating that different guages of metal have different fire ratings.
 
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