Table 716.5 Glass Block

[Francis Vineyard]

2012 (& 2015) 2110.1.1 Exception 1.

Glass-block assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour shall be permitted as opening protectives in accordance with Section 716 in fire barriers, fire partitions and smoke barriers that have a required fire-resistance rating of 1 hour or less and do not enclose exit stairways, exit ramps or exit passageways.

Is it correct that 3/4 hour glass block is not permitted where Table 705.8 prohibits openings as applicable in exterior walls required to be of not more than 1-hour fire-resistant rated?

 

[north star]

$ ~ $

Francis,

I'm not sure of your question......Is it the glass block assembly
itself, ...the "exterior wall distance to property line", ...both
or something else ?

$ ~ $

 

[steveray]

I never thought of them as an "opening" I have always assumed that an opening is something with the ability to open (doors, windows, etc) to some extent....Not just glass per se, but at the same time, I would not allow fixed glass I don't think...

 

[Francis Vineyard]

My understanding of the exception is (3/4 hour) glass blocks may not be operable windows, they are permitted as opening protectives, not fire-resistance glazing.

FIRE-RATED GLAZING. Glazing with either a fire protection rating or a fire-resistance rating.

FIRE PROTECTION RATING. The period of time that an opening protective will maintain the ability to confine a fire as determined by tests prescribed in Section 716. Ratings are stated in hours or minutes.

FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING. The period of time a building element, component or assembly maintains the ability to confine a fire, continues to perform a given structural function, or both, as determined by the tests, or the methods based on tests, prescribed in Section 703.