SAFTI FIRST®’s IGCC Certification Provides More Innovative Fire Rated Glass Applications for Architects
Energy efficient, 2 hour, fire resistive exterior walls with SuperLite II-XLB 120 with Solarban 60 in GPX Architectural Series Framing by SAFTI FIRST. Project Name: The Warehouse at 520 W 20th Street in NYC. Architect: Morris Adjmi Architects. Glazier: Vision Walls.
As architects, you are tasked with balancing creativity with performance and compliance. At SAFTI FIRST®, we understand this challenge because we've been at the forefront of fire rated glass innovation for decades. Our latest achievement—becoming the first and only fire-rated glass manufacturer in North America to receive IGCC certification—marks a significant leap forward for both us and architects like you.
This certification isn’t just about meeting industry benchmarks. It’s about providing more innovative fire rated glazing applications that you can use in your projects. Instead of design limitations due to code, applications, lead time or budget, you now have expanded design possibilities.
With our IGCC-certified insulating glass units (IGUs), you now have more flexibility in specifying high-performance glass that meets both aesthetic and functional demands. Whether for energy efficiency, sound control, or fire safety, our fire-rated glass products offer the versatility to support your design goals without compromise.
More Energy Efficient Fire-Rated Exterior Facades
One of the most exciting outcomes of this certification is how it advances exterior facade design in fire rated situations, most commonly seen in property lines and cantilevered buildings. We can now handle high-performance soft coats in a monolithic format in our facility, incorporating them directly into our fire rated units. This means our glass is thinner, lighter, and offers superior thermal performance—critical factors as energy codes become more stringent across the country.
This capability sets us apart from other fire rated suppliers that are limited to laminated or insulated versions of high performance energy glass that often compromise thermal performance or add bulk to the unit. By streamlining the design without sacrificing safety or efficiency, we enable you to design sleeker, better-performing facades.
Click on the image to play a video showcasing the Energy efficient, 2 hour, fire resistive exterior walls supplied by SAFTI FIRST.
Real-Time Thermal Performance Data
SAFTI FIRST® is also the only fire-rated glass and framing manufacturer with approved products in the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program. This allows us to provide real-time simulated thermal performance values, helping you design energy-efficient, NFRC-certified fenestration systems that meet even the most stringent fire rated requirements.
With our in-house Approved Calculation Entity (ACE) to assist with NFRC calculations and bid reports, we’re not just supplying innovative products—we’re providing the expertise and support to make your projects as seamless as possible.
Innovations in Sustainability, Security and Beyond
In addition to thermal performance, we are also innovating in other ways. While we already have Health Product Declarations (HPDs), Declare Labels and support LEED and WELL Building Design principles with our products, we are also working Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EDPs).
For security, we are also working on ballistic rated doors up to Level 10, as well as window and door systems that will meet ASTM F3561, the new active shooter standard.
At SAFTI FIRST®, we’re committed to empowering architects with innovative fire rated solutions that make buildings safer, more energy-efficient, and more visually striking. Together, we can build a safer, more beautiful world.
If you have any current or upcoming project that need fire rated glass and framing, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888.653.3333 or send us an email at [email protected]. Our dedicated sales experts are here to help you with any product, application, code or budget question that you may have.
For more information, you can also visit us online at www.safti.com.
About the Author
Bill O'Keeffe
About the Author: Bill O’Keeffe is the President and CEO of SAFTI FIRST Fire Rated Glazing Solutions, a leading USA-manufacturer of advanced fire rated glass and framing systems. An industry veteran and innovator with over 45 years of experience in architectural glazing, he was first to introduce and manufacture clear, fire resistive glazing products in the US. He is also a safety advocate who exposed the dangers of traditional wired glass, which lead to code changes and fire rated glass products that are safe, affordable and clear alternatives to traditional wired glass. Today, Bill continues to develop building products that enable architects to create beautiful, safe and energy-efficient spaces with advanced glazing systems.