flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Fire resistive curtain wall helps The Kensington meet property line requirements

Fire resistive curtain wall helps The Kensington meet property line requirements


Bill O'Keeffe | April 8, 2014
The Kensington, Boston. Photo: SAFTI FIRST

The majority of fire rated glazing applications occur inside a building to allow occupants to exit the building safely or provide an area of refuge during a fire. But what happens when the threat of fire comes from the outside?

This was the case for The Kensington, a mixed-use residential building in Boston. The west-facing elevation was in close proximity to the property line, prompting the building official to require part of the curtain wall to meet ASTM E-119/NFPA 251/UL263 for 60 minutes. In addition, the fire rated curtain wall had to match the rest of the non-rated systems seamlessly, as well as pass the rigorous dynamic testing prescribed by Curtain Wall Design Consulting (CDC), the firm hired by the architect to ensure that the building was air and water tight.

To meet these requirements, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 60 insulated with Solarban 70XL in SAFTIfire CW Framing in a continuous span from the seventh to the tenth floor, with a segmented portion at the center. The aluminum covers used in the SAFTIfire CW Framing System had a champagne metallic finish and mimicked the appearance of an aluminum pressure wall, easily matching the non-rated exterior glazing systems.

The ability to incorporate Solarban 70XL also contributed to meeting an average U-value no more than 0.40 and a solar heat gain coefficient no greater than 0.25 as required in the specifications. Since the framing system is thermally broken, it is a natural selection for exterior fire resistive applications in places that experience extreme weather like the Northeast.

The system also was subjected to dynamic curtain wall testing designed to replicate real-world conditions. An independent test lab performed numerous tests, all of which the CW Framing System successfully passed.

Its documented performance ensures that architects have a proven option for clear, unobstructed views when faced with property line requirements or other scenarios where the threat of fire comes from the outside.

Editor's note: This is sponsored content. The text was provided by the sponsor company. 

More from Author

Bill O'Keeffe | Oct 19, 2020

Going virtual

Manufacturers use virtual platforms to help architects meet CEU requirements. 

Bill O'Keeffe | Jul 16, 2020

Obsolete?

"Revolutional, affordable, USA made Fire Rated Glazing for all fire protective areas makes ceramic glazing obsolete". Check out SuperClear 45-HS and SuperClear 45-HS-LI to understand why!

Bill O'Keeffe | Feb 10, 2020

USA-made fire rated glazing goes big in 2020

We are pleased to announce and share that the second phase of this $8 million expansion, upgrading our fire rated glass manufacturing facilities in Merced, California, is underway.

Bill O'Keeffe | Nov 20, 2019

Demand for advanced, USA-made fire rated glazing “RAISES THE ROOF”

With architects specifying full-vision, code-compliant, 60 and 90 minute, temperature rise doors for exit stairwells and other code required applications, we found this as an opportunity to expand our product offerings.

boombox1
boombox2
native1
halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021