Advanced fire-rated glass floor systems are afoot

1. Check for adequate fire protection
Before specifying a fire-rated glass floor system, it is important to ensure a third-party testing agency, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has evaluated it in accordance with ASTM E119, Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Resistance of Building Construction and Materials, and UL 263, Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. This step helps ensure the floor system provides the necessary fire safety and structural integrity.

2. Verify load requirements
While the architect or structural engineer is responsible for calculating a fire-rated glass floor system’s load requirements, it is crucial to verify the specified product could meet these predetermined standards. Where questions arise, manufacturers and suppliers can aid in providing the necessary product information.

3. Consider impact safety
Another important step is to consider a fire-rated glass floor system’s impact safety. Surface damage from heavy foot traffic or long-term wear can reduce its load-carrying capacity. As a result, when specifying fire-rated glass floor systems in lobbies, common areas, and other heavily used rooms, one should consider selecting a system that can incorporate protective treatments. Fire-rated glass floor systems with a walking surface separate from the structural layer also make it easier for glaziers to replace the individual surface panels if they are damaged.

4. Account for slip resistance
Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) minimum requirement for slip resistance is a static coefficient of friction of 0.50. Since this is a general standard, care should be taken to ensure a fire-rated glass floor system’s slip resistance is suitable to its location. For example, a fire-rated glass floor system in a study area may have different slip resistance needs than one near an entryway, where people might track water across its surface. Manufacturers or suppliers offer a variety of surface treatments to improve traction, including embossed glass, cast glass, and ceramic frit texturing Design teams can work with them to identify which solutions have a coefficient of friction that has been calculated in accordance with the requirements of ANSI A137.1:2012 Section 9.6, Procedure for Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF).

5. Consider aesthetics
Glass floor color and texturing options are available to support aesthetic goals while maintaining adequate slip resistance and daylight admission. Along with surface treatments, various interlayers can be incorporated to further enhance the visual impact of the floor, add color, or create greater visual obscurity.