Aligning Fire Rated Glass with KBC 2016 and Korean Industrial Safety Act Requirements
For Ch'onan's industrial zones, particularly the Cheonan National Industrial Complex, adherence to the Korean Building Code (KBC 2016) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act is non-negotiable. These regulations mandate that fire-rated glazing in egress paths and compartment walls must resist fire exposure for specified durations, typically 60 to 120 minutes, to ensure safe evacuation and limit property damage. Antifires' systems are engineered to meet these requirements, having undergone testing to standards like KS F 2845, which mirrors the integrity and insulation criteria found in BS EN 1634-1 and AS1530.4.
The technical approach involves multi-layer laminated glass structures, such as the 21mm FPOS composite, which provides integrity for 120 minutes and insulation for 30 minutes. In high-occupancy factories, where assembly lines and storage areas are densely populated, the glazing must also control radiant heat transmission. The use of intumescent interlayers within the glass composition—like the 4mm fire gel found in the 10mm FPOS (Integrity 135 min)—activates under heat to form an opaque barrier, preventing fire penetration and maintaining compartment integrity. Installation follows strict protocols: G.M.S. hollow steel frames are fixed with M6/M8 anchor bolts at 300–600mm spacing, and expansion gaps (3mm–5mm) are filled with ceramic fiber to accommodate thermal movement without compromising the seal.
KS F 2845 Grade Selection and Fire Resistance Duration for Ch'onan Manufacturing Sites
Selecting the appropriate KS F 2845 grade for Ch'onan's manufacturing sites requires a precise evaluation of fire resistance duration and impact safety. For automotive and electronics plants, where both personnel safety and machinery protection are critical, Antifires offers fire rated glass with verified ratings of 60 and 120 minutes. The technical parameters include laminated glass thicknesses ranging from 12mm to 21mm, which achieve an impact safety class of 1A, ensuring resistance to mechanical shock from equipment or accidental collisions. Crucially, these assemblies maintain a radiant heat flux below 3.5 kW/m², a key metric for protecting workers on assembly lines and preventing ignition of nearby combustible materials.
The performance data from certified tests supports these selections. For instance, the 15mm FPOS structure demonstrates integrity up to 132 minutes with insulation lasting 33–34 minutes, making it suitable for corridors and fire exits. In contrast, the 28mm EI60 panel (Integrity 66 min, Insulation 64 min) is optimized for applications where thermal insulation is the primary concern, such as in control rooms adjacent to high-heat processes. The table below summarizes key options for Ch'onan's industrial needs:
| Glass Structure |
Integrity (E) Rating |
Insulation (I) Rating |
Typical Application |
| 10mm FPOS |
135 min |
16 min |
Factory partitions |
| 21mm FPOS |
120 min |
30 min |
Stairwell enclosures |
| 28mm EI60 |
66 min |
64 min |
Control room glazing |
Fire Rated Glass Applications in Ch'onan Logistics Warehouses and High-Rise Factories
Ch'onan's expanding logistics hubs, such as those in the Asan Bay area, present unique fire safety challenges due to the storage of flammable goods and high-density racking systems. In these environments, fire rated glass is critical for loading docks and storage compartments to prevent fire spread between zones. The glazing must provide robust integrity to contain flames and hot gases, while also offering insulation to reduce thermal radiation that could ignite adjacent materials. Antifires' systems, such as the 21mm FPOS (Integrity 120 min, Insulation 30 min), are designed to meet these demands, complying with NFPA 101 standards that are locally adopted for life safety.
For high-rise factories in Ch'onan, stairwells and elevator lobbies require 90-minute fire-rated windows that also provide thermal insulation. The 26mm door glass (Integrity 89–90 min, Insulation 68 min) is an ideal solution, as its multi-layer structure—5mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm—effectively limits temperature rise on the unexposed side to below the critical thresholds (average ≤ 140°C, maximum ≤ 180°C). During installation, ceramic wool tape (3mm–6mm) and intumescent fire seals (20mm × 4mm) are used to seal frame-to-glass interfaces, ensuring that the assembly maintains its fire resistance even under maximum deflection conditions (38mm–152mm toward the furnace). This approach aligns with both local regulations and international best practices for industrial fire safety.
Why Ch'onan Engineers Trust Antifires for Customized Fire Protection Glazing
Ch'onan engineers and facility managers trust Antifires for customized fire protection glazing because of our verified compliance with KS F 2845 and KBC 2016. Every product, from the 10mm FPOS to the 54mm ultra-high-performance glass, is backed by pre-approved fire test reports that simplify the building permit application process for local projects. Our systems are tested under rigorous conditions—using Type K thermocouples and monitoring unexposed surface temperatures with 10–55 channels—to ensure that performance claims are fully substantiated. This documentation provides the technical authority needed for approval in Cheonan's busy manufacturing corridor.
Beyond certification, Antifires offers localized support that addresses the specific challenges of retrofitting older industrial structures. Our team provides on-site technical consultation to assess existing framing, expansion gaps, and sealant requirements, ensuring that new fire rated glass integrates seamlessly with G.M.S. hollow steel sections and ceramic wool insulation. Additionally, fast delivery from our regional warehouse minimizes production downtime, a critical factor for Ch'onan's just-in-time manufacturing environments. By combining certified performance with practical installation support, Antifires delivers a comprehensive solution that enhances both safety and operational continuity.