Curtain Wall Fire Protection Systems

Safety Design in Buildings – Forum – Dubai 2012 1www.hilti.com

Curtain Wall Fire Protection Systems


Fire Statistics

Visibility: 47% of survivors caught in a firecould not see more than 12 feet (3.6 m).

Why must we contain Smoke, Toxic Gases and Fire?

3/4 of all fire deaths are caused bysmoke inhalation.

Approximately 57% of people killed infires are not in the room of the fire’s origin.

Source: Hall, Jr. John R. NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA. “Burns, Toxic Gases, and other Hazards”.

Source: NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table 1-1P. Pg.1-15.

Source: NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table 8-1P. Pg. 8-17.


What is the leading killer in fires?

Smoke & Toxic Gases


Consider this:

• A square room 20 ft x 20 ft x 20 ft has a pencil hole betweencompartments.

• How long will it take for the smoke to fill the room to a thickness suchthat you cannot see your hands 18 inches in front of you?

How Fast Does Smoke Travel?


Pencil Hole

3 minutes40 seconds

20 ft x 20 ft x 20 ft room

Smoke travels 120-420 feet per minute (36 – 128 m/min), under fire conditionsSource: Estimate based upon ceiling jet velocity calculations for typical ceiling heights and heat release rates.


The Balanced Approach to Fire Protection

We can’t rely on any single action or safeguardto keep people safe


2nd Floor

1st Floor

GroundFloor

CurtainWall

Floor Slab

Chimney Effect –Internal Spread

Main Risks in Perimeter Joints:


1st Floor

2nd Floor

3rd FloorVision glass

Spandrel panel(glass, stone, metal...)

Mullions

Transoms

External Spread – “Leap Frog”

Main Risks in Perimeter Joints:


Main Risk in Perimeter Joints:

External Spread – “Leap Frog”

Al Tayer Tower – Sharjah 2012 Al Nasser Tower – Doha 2006


Critical Parts:1. CW Insulation

3. Safing Rockwool2. Firestop Spray


Critical Parts:

1. CW Insulation(Leap Frog Effect)

2. Safing Rockwool(Chimney Effect)

3. Firestop Spray(Chimney Effect)


• 3 Main Testing Standards:

1. ASTM E2307: “Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Resistanceof Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi-Story TestApparatus”

2. EN 1364 – Part 3: “Fire resistance of curtain walling systems – fullConfiguration” – Fire Resistant Glazing

3. EN 1364 – Part 4: “Fire resistance of parts of curtain walling” – Non-Fire Resistant Glazing

Testing Of Curtain Wall Systems:


ASTM E2307

Standard Test Method forDetermining Fire Resistanceof Perimeter Fire BarriersUsing Intermediate-Scale,Multi-Story Test Apparatus


ASTM E2307 – Test Assembly

Cross-section view

backface

View from front face


Curtain Wall TestAssembly

Pre-Burn

Transom above floor

Transom below floor

Mechanical attachmentssupporting insulation

Mineral wool insulation atspandrel area

Mullions

Vision Glass



AssemblyInterior View

Pre-Burn

Thermocouplesmeasuring temperaturerise



Video

LSSCWBURN.wmv



Interior Burner Lit - Time: 0:00ASTM E2307 – Test Assembly


Exterior Burner Lit - Time: 0:05ASTM E2307 – Test Assembly


Flames ClimbingExterior

Time: 0:15



Melting of Mullions&Transoms

Time: 0:45



Vision GlassBreaks

Time: 2:00



Burner Off at 2 hours


Post Test:

Close up Detail of Mullionand Transom Damage



Post Test – Interior ViewASTM E2307 – Test Assembly


Only two labs presently perform testing in accordance withnewly developed ASTM test methods:

ASTM E2307 – Testing Labs

Northbrook, IL Elmendorf, Texas


Test result: Laboratory listing with very preciseconstruction details


Perimeter Fire Containment - Basic Design Criteria1. Provide Backing/Reinforcement Member at

Safing Line


ReinforcementMember

1


Perimeter Fire Containment - Basic Design Criteria

1. Provide Backing/Reinforcement Member atSafing Line

2. Mechanically Attached Curtain Wall Insulation


ReinforcementMember

1

2MechanicallyAttachedInsulation(hangers, clips, impalingpins, weld pins,…)


Perimeter Fire Containment - Basic Design Criteria1. Provide Backing/Reinforcement Member at

Safing Line


3. Compression-fit Safing Insulation - as required per tested assembly

Install Safing Impaling Clips - as required per tested assembly

Horizontal fiberorientationVertical fiber

orientation


2ReinforcementMember

1

MechanicallyAttached Insulation

3

Compression FitSafing (Direction ofSafing as required pertested assembly)& Safing Clips(as required per testedassembly)


Compression Fit Safing (Direction of Safingas required per tested assembly)

Safing Clips (as required per tested assembly)





4. Protect Aluminum Mullions




2

ReinforcementMember

ProtectMullions

4

1


3

Compression Fit Safing(Direction of Safing asrequired per tested assembly)& Safing Clips(as required per testedassembly)




4. Protect Aluminum Mullions



5. For “Smoke Containment” - Add Firestop Coating



5 FirestopCoating

2ReinforcementMember

3ProtectMullions

1


4

Compression Fit Safing(Direction of Safing asrequired per tested assembly)& Safing Clips(as required per testedassembly)


5FirestopCoating


Traditional Method – 6mm sheet metal top and bottom, filled with mineral wool:

Incorrect Installations:

General Value Proposition

• All voids closed with Fire andAcoustic sealant

Can be valid when

• No movement capabilities

• High Load

• Slow to install

• Not tested

Key Weaknesses


. Incorrect installation of foil boards leaves space for smoke and flames to passthrough and may fall out

. Foil may be damaged very easily



Coated boards are ridged and do notallow movement


Floorslab

Fire Stop

Fire StopDrops


Mastic spray

Firestop expands

Floor Slab

Cur

tain

Wal

l

Wall bulges outHeat and Flames

Overlapping:



Façade


UAE Fire & Life Safety Code ofPractice

2011 Edition


UAE Fire Code requirmeent:

Classification of Firestop Systems(21.5)

• “ 21.5.4.3. Perimeter Fire BarrierSystem……shall be….in accordance toASTM E 2307 as the test method(please refer to section 21.16 foracceptable alternative test standards)”

• “21.5.4.4. the firestop system refers toall the necessary components in theapproved firestop design, which caninclude but is not limited to the gap size,backing material depth, sealant depth,and other parameters in the listings”


UAE Fire Code requirmeent:

Installation (21.10)

• “21.10.3.4. (joints & CW) …shall becapable of withstanding anticipatedmovements for the installed fieldconditions… …”

• “21.10.4.3. (CW ) Perimeter fire barriersystem accessories i.e. metal framing,curtain wall insulation, mechanicalattachments, safing materials andFirestop…shall be installed asapplicable within the design listedsystem ”


Fire with successfulcompartmentation

People with complete trustin the compartmentation


Questions….?


THANK YOU

(Protect Yourself & Others)


ASTM 2307 EN 1364-3 EN 1364-4 BS 8414-1 BS 8414-2

Curtain WallAssembly

Full Full Part Part Part

Glazing Non-FireRated

Fire-Rated Fire Rated &Non-FireRated

N/A Non-FireRated

Internalexposure

Curtain Wall,Insulation &Gap Seal

Curtain Wall& Gap Seal

Curtain Wall& Gap seal(partially)

NotEvaluated asa full system

NotEvaluated asa full system

ExternalExposure

Curtain Wall,Glazing,insulation orCompositePanel

Curtain Wall EvaluatedPartially

curtain Wall,Over-cladding &insulation

Curtain Wall,Glazing,CompositePanel

Movement Cyclingrequirements

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Equipments Internal &ExternalBurners

Internal ORExternalBurner



InternalBurner

Curtain Wall Fire Protection Systems

Documents

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