Award

Aluflam's insulated aluminum framing and laminated glass. Vetrotech's Contraflam 120 and VDS Framing. D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 | 45 P H OTO G R A P H Y BY J O E A . M EN D OZ A /CO U RT E S Y A LU F L A M N O RT H A M ER I C A ; V E T ROT EC H SA I N T- GO BA I N N O RT H A M ER I C A Experts in fire suppression systems take the lead in response to inconsistent standards by ROBIN BRUNET T he diverse aspects of fire systems – detection, prevention, suppression, fireproofing – all have one thing in common: in 2022 they experienced continuous advancement and refinement in order to meet ever- stringent regional regulations. Nowhere was this more evident than at Johnson Controls, which expanded its portfolio of non-flu- orinated firefighting foam concentrates with three new products. The first is Thunderstorm WNF33A 3%x3% – a non-fluorinated AR-SFFF concentrate that is formulated to provide excellent control and sup- pression of large, hydrocarbon fuel in-depth fires. The second is NFF 331 3%x3%, a non-fluorinated AR-SFFF offered under the ANSUL, Chemguard, and SKUM brands. It is UL 162 listed for fixed foam system firefighting applications using conventional proportioning and discharge equipment. The third is NFF 3%x3% UL201 Non-Fluorinated Alcohol Resistant Firefighting Foam Concentrate, under the ANSUL, Chemguard, SKUM, and T-Storm brands; it is UL 162 listed and ideal for municipal emergency response, hydrocarbon spill fires, and limited scale fuel in-depth fires. David Ash, product director, firefighting foam, at Johnson Controls, says, "The technology of non-flu- orinated foam is improving so that performance is becoming comparable to traditional AFFF concen- trates. I think non-fluorinated foams and products will be the predominate technology in the market in the next few years." In the sprinkler realm, Johnson Controls recently introduced the Tyco Model ES-1 and ES-2 Sprinkler Shields for the protection of in-rack early suppres- sion fast response sprinklers in storage facilities and warehouses. The all-metal shields work to pro- tect sprinkler elements from cold soldering, which occurs when cascading water from ceiling-mounted and high-mounted in-rack sprinklers cool down and inhibits the operation of in-rack sprinklers mounted at lower heights. As storage ceiling and rack heights continue to trend higher and hold higher-hazard material like non-expanded and expanded plastics, OUT COLD Fire Protection Systems However, Aluflam continues to also be increas- ingly involved in providing advisory services, due to the certified and labelled products that are in such high demand but come with limits because regula- tions vary from region to region. Aluflam focuses on consulting with clients to ensure that the type of product they require lives up to its specific regula- tory requirements. Jerry Cucchi, sales manager for Aluflam, says the trend of smoke and draft control in commercial spaces, large offices, and multi-residential buildings is ongoing, and that this makes requirements far more stringent than ever. "So, we supply the appro- priate labelled products to ensure that our clients achieve compliance. Fortunately, all our products are pre-labelled and tested independently for smoke and draft performance, which makes the challenge a little easier." These services combined with its products make Aluflam the preferred choice for glazing contractors, also partly because its frames are delivered as com- pleted units: factory finished, pre-drilled, and ready for installation. Plus, unlike hollow metal frames, Aluflam's frames are narrow, sharp, and blend much better with existing non-rated designs. Rob Gregg, principal at MCW Consultants Ltd., notes that in the renewal or expansion of heritage buildings, his project team is often chal- lenged with meeting certain prescriptive aspects of the Vancouver Building By-law, and in order to the need for in-rack sprinklers has increased. Kevin Norcross, Washington-based general man- ager at Vetrotech Saint-Gobain North America, reports that demand in the fire protection sector is robust in the wake of the pandemic lockdowns. "Business is especially good in Western Canada and in Toronto, specifically in the realm of public ele- mentary and secondary school upgrades in which wire glass is being replaced by ceramic glass." Norcross is referring to Vetrotech's range of fire- rated glass-ceramic products. Keralite, available polished or unpolished, and with laminated/filmed options to meet impact safety standards, offers fire- protection for 20 to 90 and 180 minutes. Contraflam is a single- or multi-chamber fire-resistant glass containing an environmentally friendly intumes- cent interlayer; in the event of fire, it offers full heat insulation (up to 120 minutes) for the compartmen- talization of fire. That's not the only example of Vetrotech's offer- ings. Unlike float, wired, or standard tempered glass, Pyroswiss (the first, clear fire-resistant safety glass in the market) can symmetrically withstand high thermal stress and prevent early breakage due to its specialty tempering. Also, the company offers special glazing and door solutions with fire-resistant characteristics that are not only made of fire-resis- tant glass, but are part of holistic, tried-and-tested life-safety systems. Norcross goes on to note that, "We're constantly testing, updating, and improving our products, and recently we partnered with Rafael Viñoly Architects to do testing for a large-size two-hour fire rated curtain wall for 101 Franklin in New York. This is a complete skin redo of a 16-storey 1948 building that has been in the works for three years now." Aluflam North America has distinguished itself in the fire-rated glazing system market by achieving what was once considered impossible: using alu- minum frames for fire rated glazing applications. Aluflam's patented technology combines insu- lated aluminum framing and laminated glass, with extruded and filled profiles and a variety of finish- ing options.

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