Seven Questions to Ask When Specifying Fire-rated Glazing in Doors by Jeff Razwick Photo © Joe Harrison, JH Photography Inc. Fire-rated doors provide around- the-clock protection to help ensure people can safely exit a building in the event of a fire. When specified with fire-rated glazing, they can also help preserve sight lines and support aesthetic goals. During a building fire, properly functioning fire- rated door assemblies play a critical role in providing occupants with safe means of egress. They allow individuals to pass by, or through, them without experiencing serious injury, and enable fire safety personnel to enter a structure and help extinguish flames and smoke. Fire-rated door assemblies may service a building for years without being called into such action. As a result, it is important for them to support a building’s daily functional and aesthetic needs. To ensure all goals are met, an increasingly popular design solution is to incorporate fire-rated glazing wihtin fire-rated door assemblies. Fire-rated glazing may be clear and wireless, with a surface quality comparable to ordinary window glass. It is available with fire ratings ranging from 20 to 180 minutes, and advanced products can provide 74 the construction specifier | august 2016 CS_Aug_2016.indd 74 www.constructionspecifier.com 2016-07-18 9:13 AM