What fire safety measures and materials are required when specifying a glass curtain wall system?

Fire safety for a glass curtain wall system is a multi-layered requirement covering glass type, spandrel construction, perimeter compartmentation, and material behavior at elevated temperatures. In the Middle East and Central Asia (e.g., Riyadh, Dubai, Almaty, Tashkent), ensure that curtain wall assemblies meet local fire code prescriptions and international standards (ISO, EN, or NFPA as referenced locally). Critical measures include using fire-rated laminated or wired glass where through-fire exposure is possible, and specifying non-combustible spandrel insulation and support materials.

Perimeter fire stopping is essential: use intumescent gasketing at slab edges and perimeter joints to maintain compartmentation and prevent flame spread between floors. Fire-resistant mullion covers or thermal break designs should not compromise the fire-rating; select aluminum alloys and coatings that do not emit hazardous gases or melt prematurely under heat. For smoke control, maintain continuous seals and consider pressure differencing to limit smoke infiltration into occupied zones.

Specify insulated spandrel panels built from non-combustible cores (mineral wool) behind a metal facing; avoid combustible core insulations in high-risk façades. For egress and rescue, ensure operable vents and access panels are integrated with the building’s fire-engineered strategy. Require fire testing for representative mock-ups: vertical and horizontal fire propagation tests, and full-scale façade tests where required by authorities.

Coordinate closely with fire engineers to determine fire separation distances, sprinkler integration, and the need for façade sprinklers or water curtains in high-risk installations. Provide clear maintenance protocols to inspect intumescent seals and firestopping materials to preserve long-term performance in Saudi, UAE, or Central Asian conditions.