Fire rated products are subjected to a 2-part test in order to earn their rating ... The Fire Test and The Hose Stream Test. The first portion is the Fire Test.  Inside the test furnace the temperature is quickly elevated ... within the first 10 minutes it is in excess of 1000 Degrees F.  Regular glass products cannot withstand these extreme temperatures. The second portion is the Hose Stream Test.  Immediately following the Fire Test, the assembly is subjected to water from a 2-man fire hose. (This is not required for 20-minute rated products)                                               The Hose Stream Test is required for all products that have a rating of 45-minutes or greater! The photo on the bottom left shows the water impacting the glass after burning for more than 2 hours!

When cool water hits hot glass, many times the thermal shock will cause the glass to explode out of the opening leaving nothing to stop the spread of the smoke and flames. 

The photo to the right shows glass in a test furnace. Inside this furnace the temperature quickly reaches approximately 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.                                             

Many of the new products on the market today, such as SGG SWISSFLAM & SGG CONTRAFLAM, will reduce or block this heat on the unexposed surface!                                

This allows for more time to escape the fire and stops the fire from spreading through spontaneous combustion to objects on the unexposed surface.                             

• Take the tour of our facility
• Use our Product Selector
• Learn more about our products
• Request a quote
• Contact us today