Glass Blocks Fire Ratings and Insulation Explained
First and foremost, the most important thing is to clarify the fire ratings and insulation required on your glass block project. Glass blocks have two fire ratings named as Integrity and Thermal Isolation.
In simple words, Integrity stands for how long can a wall stands fire before it collapses and Thermal Isolation (also called Thermal Insulation) means how long can someone passes through before it is too hot to pass by that wall.
In 99% cases, Thermal Isolation is the main concern and these information can normally be obtained by contacting building control.
Depending on your requirement, glass blocks also achieve different level of "U" Values.
To put it simply, "U" Value is the measure of the rate of heat loss through a material. Thus in all aspects of home design one should strive for the lowest U-Values possible because the lower the U-value - the less heat that is needlessly escaping. So for example a standard glass block has a typical "U" Valueof 2.9 while a fire block has either a typical "U" Value of 1.954 or 1.6. The calculation of U-values can be rather complex - it is measured as the amount of heat lost through a one square meter of the material for every degree difference in temperature either side of the material. It is indicated in units of Watts per Meter Squared, per Degree Kelvin or W/m2K. Note that Kelvin is used as the scale of temperature difference, but this is numerically equal to oC.
So for example, one square metre of a standard glass block window will transmit about 2.9 watts of energy for each degree difference either side of the window or a "U" Value of 2.9. A fire glass block window will be significantly better with a U-value of 1.954 or 1.6 i.e. only transmitting 1.954 or 1.6 watts of energy in similar conditions.
Our Value Range 190x190x80 mm glass blocks achieve a 60 minutes Integrity and 15 minutes Thermal Isolation, with a typical "U" Value of 2.9.
Our Value Range 190x190x100 mm glass blocks achieve a 90 minutes Integrity and 15 minutes Thermal Isolation, with a typical "U" Value of 2.9.
Our 190x190x100mm fire glass block achieves a 60 minutes Integrity and 30 minutes Thermal Isolation, it also achieves a typical "U" Value of 1.954.
Our 190x190x150mm fire glass block achieves a 60 minutes Integrity and 60 minutes Thermal Isolation, it also achieves a typical "U" Value of 1.6.
For more information regarding fire ratings and "U" Values, please contact Glass Blocks Online sales team and we shall assist with technical help and datasheets on any of our glass blocks range.
