Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, looks at how the next generation of fire safety glass can help composite doors to meet ever more demanding performance requirements.
“Composite fire doors are a popular choice for residential and commercial applications, combining strength, thermal insulation and design flexibility. As fire safety regulations have recently been updated, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to ensure that these doors deliver certified performance, without compromising on aesthetics or overall functionality.
For glazed composite fire doors, achieving this balance depends heavily on the fire safety glass specified. The glazing must work as part of a fully tested and certified system that meets demanding fire, safety, thermal and security requirements.
Meeting performance needs
Fire safety glass within composite doors does more than simply resist flames; it must integrate seamlessly into modern door systems, support compliance with rigorous testing standards and meet wider performance expectations. Today’s composite doors are expected to provide excellent thermal insulation, maximise natural daylight, offer enhanced security and contribute to the overall architectural design, all while meeting stringent fire safety requirements.
This increasing demand has led to the development of advanced fire-rated insulated glazing units that combine tested fire protection with the thermal and acoustic performance modern buildings expect from composite door applications.
Certified glass for composite doors
For composite doors, Pyroguard Advance is available as a double glazed unit providing the thermal insulation expected of a composite door, and fire EW30 and EI15 classifications. The fire classification means it has been independently tested to provide 30 minutes’ fire integrity and radiation, preventing flames, hot gases and smoke from passing through, with 15 minutes of insulation performance to help limit the spread of heat transfer through the glazed area.
The performance has been verified through rigorous testing in accordance with EN 1634-1 and the glass is CE marked by the notified laboratory Efectis, delivering assurance that it meets recognised fire safety requirements and is suitable for use within composite doors. The composite doorset itself must also be CE or UKCA marked.
Through use of innovative gel interlayer technology, Pyroguard Advance represents the next generation of cuttable fire safety glass, combining fire safety and aesthetics to offer a reliable, tried-and-tested fire-resistant glazing solution.
Consisting of multiple panes of glass enclosing fire-resistant interlayers, the double glazed unit and overall door system can withstand the extreme heat of fire to support safe evacuation. When exposed to high temperatures, these interlayers will react to form a protective barrier against flames, smoke and radiant heat. As well as providing fire resistance, they offer properties such as thermal efficiency, acoustic insulation and even attack resistance.
Going beyond fire compliance
Combined with laminated glass counterpanes, the Pyroguard Advance double-glazed insulated unit can achieve P1A attack resistance, showcasing its ability to withstand repeated impacts and help manufacturers address both fire and security requirements within one certified solution. This double-glazed solution can achieve up to 1B1 impact classification depending on the counterpane selection providing enhanced protection against accidental damage and making it suitable for everyday use.
To support thermal insulation requirements of modern composite doors, Pyroguard Advance double glazed units achieve a Ug value of around 1.1 W/m²K to minimise heat transfer through the glass. Optional warm edge spacer technology from our collaborator Technoform can further enhance thermal performance, while Low-E glass can be specified where required to meet demanding energy efficiency targets.
In addition, the glazing achieves acoustic performance of up to and above Rw 36 dB, depending on the choice of laminate counterpane, helping to reduce external noise transmission and create quieter, more comfortable environments.
Glazed composite doors also provide an opportunity to introduce natural light. Pyroguard Advance double glazing offers excellent light transmission of around 80%.
Supporting composite door manufacturers
Performance demands placed on composite doors means manufacturers require glazing solutions which provide confidence at every stage, from initial specification through to final installation. Pyroguard Advance has been developed to meet these requirements, offering a certified fire-rated glazing solution that integrates seamlessly with modern composite door systems.
Pyroguard Advance combines fire protection with the thermal performance properties of a double-glazed unit, which enables door manufacturers to create doors that deliver on fire safety, security and energy efficiency. Supported by Pyroguard’s technical expertise, manufacturers have access to a trusted partner capable of providing guidance, certification support and tailored solutions to meet the demands of composite door applications.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.pyroguard.eu/
