Award

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 49 Fire Protection Systems P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y T EC H N I C A L G L A SS P RO DU C T S; A LU F L A M N O RT H A M ER I C A Game-changing fire protection systems are transforming safety, security, and design in all buildings by ROBIN BRUNET A s always, the face of fire protection systems (which includes detection, prevention, and fireproofing) continues to change, driven in equal measure by technological developments and an increasing emphasis on safety regulations, as urban areas and suburban neighbourhoods expand. Technical Glass Products (TGP) has spent nearly 40 years establishing an array of UL-classified and labelled fire-rated glazing products, from ultra-clear fire-rated glass ceramic products that provide impact safety to transparent fire-rated glass wall panels that meet stringent security demands. One of its many solutions is FireLite Plus, which consists of two pieces of FireLite glass ceramic laminated together. Because FireLite is made from transparent glass-ceramic, it differs in colour from float glass. FireLite has a warmer earth tone when compared to the blue-green tint of typical float glass; however, like float glass, the ceramic will not demonstrate a highly perceptible colour once installed in a frame. Additionally, ultraHD Technology is utilized to improve surface quality, clarity, and colour. David Vermeulen, North American sales director at TGP, says of 2024, "The big news for us was continuing to implement elements that have resulted in streamlined operations and reduced lead times; in other words, much quicker service for clients." Also, Allegion, which counts TGP as one of its brands, acquired Quebec- based Unicel Architectural Corp., a manufacturer of glass, timber, and aluminum building solutions. Unicel's products are installed in health-care, education, government, and other non-residential facilities. As for trends in his sector, Vermeulen points out that due to recent innova- tions, fire-resistant glazing can now provide another layer of protection in the security realm. "This is a growing focus for us especially as it applies to schools," he says. "We're increasingly becoming involved in what we call multi-functional projects whereby the glazing we supply is fire-rated as well as resistant to bullets and forced entry." These systems are made from compatible components or have been tested as complete systems to multiple protocols. They can be employed where design teams want to meet safety and security concerns without compromising the abil- ity for the assembly to safeguard occupants from fire emergencies. Additionally, whether an application needs to provide multiple forms of protection or only one, designers can meet their life safety design goals and building code require- ments without sacrificing occupant comfort by choosing rated frames with narrow profiles. Not only do narrow-profile frames increase the area of glass in an assembly, they can also provide a close visual match to adjacent, non-rated systems. Plus, they can be capped with different materials, further contributing to a cohesive design while maintaining code-driven life safety. Vermeulen cites Candy Lane Elementary School in Oregon City, Oregon, as an example of a school adopting multi-functional systems. In this case, Fireframes Heat Barrier Series doors and frames with Pilkington Pyrostop fire- rated glass from TGP laminated to School Guard Glass from LTI Smart Glass, Inc. were installed. School Guard Glass meets H.P. White 5-aa1 and ASTM F1233 Class 1.4 standards, which means that in testing, after being shot five times in a concentrated area, it could defend against violent attacks for over 12 minutes. It is also compatible with fire-rated glazing. Building code requires this specific application to be fire-rated up to 120-min- utes to provide staff and students an extended window to escape fire and to allow Cool It first responders the ability to enter and exit the building. In addition to meeting this requirement, the multifunctional, fire-rated glazing system also withstands forced-entry attacks and can offer up to Level III bullet resistance. Out of the box thinking was very much evident among fire safety product providers in 2024. Safti First is relied upon for its fire protective and resistant glass, fire-rated doors and walls, as well as fire-rated floors and fences, but 2024 saw the California-based company undertake a unique initiative aimed at improving another aspect of school safety. Specifically, it launched a newly redesigned website organized as a resource for school superintendents, facility managers, parents, and others who use and interact with these facilities on a daily basis, long after they have been built. Videos, articles, industry updates, and other website information allow them to understand how to enhance the safety and security of schools and other educational facilities by incorporating advanced glass products. Another progressive company in the fire protection realm is Aluflam North America, a recognized leader in fire-rated aluminum/glass construction thanks to its top-of-the-line vision doors, windows, and glazed wall systems. Due to Aluflam's expertise and innovation in its chosen field, aluminum is now regarded as a core material for fire-rated construction. As such, the com- pany has become a key supplier for fire-resistive curtain walls for clients such as the Toronto District School Board, the largest school board in Canada. Many of these projects, facilitated by the engineering firm Eng-Link, involve the retrofit- ting of old schools and structures where protected openings are required. Aluflam of late has also fulfilled an increasing number of orders for higher- performing resistive products in parkades of high-end residential buildings: five such projects have been supplied in the last two years in the Toronto area, driven by property owners who want something other than drab S106 hollow- metal protective doors. FireLite Plus ultra-clear fire-rated glass door assembly. Retrofitting of older schools with fire-resistive glazing.

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