What Fire Safety Standards Must Aluminum Curtain Walls Meet for High-Rise Construction?

Fire safety for curtain-wall systems is governed by a combination of material selection, compartmentation detailing, smoke control and regulatory compliance. Aluminum framing itself is non-combustible, but the overall system includes glazing, gaskets, insulation and spandrel infill materials that must be assessed for combustibility and smoke production. In high-rise projects across the Middle East and Central Asia, designers must adopt tested systems that meet local codes and internationally recognized standards such as EN, ASTM E119 (fire-resistance), NFPA 285 (vertical and horizontal flame spread), and national regulations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Kazakhstan. Critical details include fire-stopping at floor slabs to preserve compartmentation between levels, vertical cavity barriers within the façade to prevent chimney effects, and selection of non-combustible mineral wool or tested cavity insulation rather than polyethylene-based products. Glazed units used for fire-resistance must be specified by tested assemblies that maintain integrity for the required period. Smoke control and safe egress planning are also part of façade fire strategy—venting, sprinkler integration and addressing façade failure modes in extreme heat. For international projects it is essential to work with façade manufacturers who provide test reports and third-party certification, and to coordinate with authorities having jurisdiction in cities from Dubai to Almaty to ensure installations meet the exact fire rating and performance required for high-rise safety.