Fire & Life Safety Compliant Façades

Façades need to fulfill the appropriate fire safety requirements in terms of fire stopping, the spread of flame and if required, integrity or insulation. Façades are, however, only part of the broader fire safety strategy that includes other aspects such as sprinkler, pressurization, evacuation, and compartmentation strategies among others. All of these aspects need to be addressed and coordinated to achieve redundancy in fire control mechanisms that would ensure fire life safety even in the event of failure of any one of them.

The behavior of material to fire is also very important. It is typically defined through its combustibility, smoke production, and the production of flaming droplets. The fire performance of façade materials and systems is demonstrated through testing and the manufacturers should be accredited by the relevant authorities.

A safer solution for fire control is Fire Stops. But why are they important? Well because, Fire stops through the compartmentation strategy works as intended and control the rate of spread of fire and allowing enough time for evacuation.

Similarly another thing used to ensure fire safety is fire rated glass. But how important is the use of Fire Rated Glass? Is it affordable or is there a substitute that most companies go with?

Read the article to know.