Long Beach Certified Fire Rated Glass and Fire Door Systems for Local Compliance

Long Beach, California, enforces the 2022 California Building Code (CBC) with specific local amendments administered by the Long Beach Development Services Department. For commercial high-rise structures along Ocean Boulevard and in the downtown core, this regulatory framework mandates that vertical openings—including stairwell enclosures, elevator lobbies, and corridor partitions—achieve a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance rating. Compliance requires the specification of certified assemblies that have been tested to recognized standards such as UL 263 (equivalent to ASTM E119) or BS 476 Part 22 for non-loadbearing glazing. Antifires supplies a comprehensive range of fire rated glass and door systems engineered to meet these stringent local requirements. These systems are designed to maintain structural integrity during thermal expansion, particularly critical in Long Beach’s coastal salt-air environment. For further reference on the state-level requirements, specifiers can consult the official California Building Standards Commission website for the latest code cycles and adoption dates.

Long Beach Building Code Compliance for Fire Protection in High-Rise Structures

Long Beach’s adoption of the 2022 CBC, combined with local amendments, imposes specific fire-resistance requirements on high-rise structures. For buildings exceeding 75 feet in height—common along the Ocean Boulevard corridor—the code requires that vertical openings, such as elevator shafts and stairwells, be protected by assemblies with a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance rating (120 minutes). This applies to both structural elements and the glazed systems used within them. The Long Beach Development Services Department also requires compliance with seismic design categories, which influence how fire-rated assemblies are anchored and framed. For example, a fire-rated partition in a hotel must accommodate both thermal expansion and lateral movement without losing its integrity (E) or insulation (I) performance. Antifires’ systems utilize G.M.S. hollow steel frames with ceramic wool (density 210 kg/m³) and intumescent seals to meet these dual demands. Specifiers should verify that any glazing product submitted for permitting includes a UL 263 or ASTM E119 test report demonstrating sustained performance under the required time-temperature curve.

Fire Rated Glass Grade Specifications for Long Beach Coastal and Urban Projects

For projects in Long Beach’s mixed-use developments near the Port of Long Beach, adherence to UL 263 (ASTM E119) fire tests is mandatory for all fire-rated glazing. The coastal salt-air environment introduces unique challenges, particularly regarding thermal expansion and corrosion resistance. Antifires’ fire rated glass products are constructed with multi-layer tempered glass and intumescent gel interlayers, which provide controlled expansion under fire exposure while maintaining structural stability. For instance, the 21mm FPOS composite structure offers integrity up to 120 minutes and insulation for 30 minutes, making it suitable for applications requiring both fire separation and thermal control. The table below summarizes key grades suitable for Long Beach projects:

Glass Type Integrity (E) Insulation (I) Typical Application
10mm FPOS 135 min 16 min Corridor partitions
28mm EI60 66 min 64 min Door vision panels
50mm EI120 120 min 120 min Stairwell enclosures

These assemblies are tested under conditions including furnace pressure of 0 ±2 Pa and ambient temperatures between 27°C and 36°C, ensuring reliable performance in real-world scenarios.

Long Beach Building Application Scenarios for Fire Rated Glass in Key Sectors

In Long Beach’s key commercial sectors, fire rated glass and door systems serve critical roles in life safety and property protection. For high-rise hotels along Ocean Boulevard, fire door systems with glazed vision panels are required in stairwell enclosures and egress corridors to meet the 2-hour fire-resistance rating. Antifires’ 26mm door glass, achieving integrity of 89–90 minutes and insulation of 68 minutes, is suitable for such applications when paired with a certified steel frame. In mixed-use developments near the Port, where ground-floor retail and upper-level residential units coexist, fire-rated partitions must separate different occupancy types. Here, the 28mm EI60 panel (integrity 66 min, insulation 64 min) provides adequate separation for 1-hour rated walls. For commercial office towers in the downtown core, elevator lobby enclosures often require EW120 rated glass to control radiant heat transmission while maintaining visibility. Antifires’ 50mm and 54mm ultra-high-performance glass, offering both integrity and insulation up to 120 minutes, meets this demand. Each installation uses ceramic fiber-filled expansion gaps (3–5mm) and M6 anchor bolts at 300–600mm spacing to ensure structural integrity during fire exposure.

Antifires Brand Advantages for Long Beach Contractors and Specifiers

Antifires provides Long Beach contractors and specifiers with verified fire test data and comprehensive documentation to streamline project approvals. All products are tested to BS 476 Part 22, BS EN 1634-1, and ASTM E119, with certified ratings including E60, E90, E120, EI30, EI60, and EI120. This ensures compatibility with Long Beach’s enforcement of the 2022 CBC. The brand’s technical team offers support for UL documentation, including test reports and product listings, which are essential for local permitting through the Long Beach Development Services Department. For coastal projects, Antifires’ systems utilize corrosion-resistant G.M.S. hollow steel frames and ceramic wool seals (3–6mm thickness, density 210 kg/m³) to withstand salt-air exposure. Additionally, the company provides installation guidance for seismic compliance, specifying M8 anchor bolts and proper expansion gap management (3–5mm filled with ceramic fiber). This comprehensive approach reduces risk for contractors and ensures that specified assemblies meet both fire safety and structural performance requirements under Long Beach’s localized building codes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, Antifires fire rated glass systems are designed to comply with Long Beach’s specific seismic and coastal amendments to the 2022 California Building Code (CBC). The products are tested to UL 263 (ASTM E119) and BS 476 Part 22, which evaluate performance under fire exposure while accounting for structural movement. For seismic compliance, Antifires uses G.M.S. hollow steel frames with M8 anchor bolts at 300–600mm spacing and ceramic fiber-filled expansion gaps (3–5mm) to accommodate lateral displacement. The coastal salt-air environment is addressed through corrosion-resistant materials and multi-layer glass construction with intumescent gel interlayers, which maintain integrity during thermal expansion. All assemblies come with certified test reports that can be submitted to the Long Beach Development Services Department for plan check approval.

For a fire-rated glass window in a Long Beach hotel stairwell enclosure, the 2022 California Building Code requires a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance rating (120 minutes). This applies to both integrity (E) and, in most cases, insulation (I) to prevent heat transfer that could ignite materials on the unexposed side. Antifires recommends the 50mm or 54mm EI120 glass system, which offers integrity and insulation up to 120 minutes as certified under UL 263 and BS EN 1634-1. For stairwells where radiant heat control is a secondary concern, an E120 rated assembly may be acceptable, but insulation-rated glass is strongly advised to protect egress paths. The glass must be installed in a steel frame with intumescent seals and ceramic wool to maintain the rating under positive furnace pressure conditions.

Antifires provides comprehensive support for UL documentation and local permitting in Long Beach. Each product is supplied with a certified test report from an accredited laboratory, detailing the fire-resistance rating (e.g., E90, EI60, or EI120) and the specific test standard used (UL 263 or ASTM E119). For a fire door replacement, Antifires’ technical team can provide the manufacturer’s listing, installation instructions, and a product data sheet that matches the existing frame and hardware. These documents are formatted for submission to the Long Beach Development Services Department as part of the permit application. Additionally, Antifires offers guidance on proper anchoring, gap filling (ceramic fiber, 3–5mm), and sealant use to ensure the assembly meets local seismic and coastal amendments. This reduces delays during plan check and field inspection.