Quebec City Certified Fire Rated Glass & Door Systems for Local Building Compliance

Quebec City's building landscape, from the historic corridors of Vieux-Québec to modern industrial zones in Beauport, demands fire-rated glazing solutions that strictly adhere to the Quebec Construction Code (Chapter I, Building) and the National Building Code of Canada 2020 (NBC 2020). These regulations mandate specific fire-resistance ratings for glazed assemblies used in egress paths, fire separations, and vertical openings. Antifires provides a comprehensive range of certified fire-rated glass and door systems tested to rigorous standards, including ULC-S101 and CAN/ULC-S104, ensuring full compliance with local requirements for 45-minute, 60-minute, and 90-minute fire protection. For specifiers and contractors, navigating the approval process with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) requires precise documentation. Antifires products carry the necessary ULC labels, simplifying permit submissions and providing verifiable proof of performance. Whether for new construction or the sensitive retrofit of heritage buildings, the integration of fire rated glass systems must balance thermal performance, structural integrity, and architectural aesthetics. By referencing official standards such as ASTM E119 and CAN/ULC-S101, Antifires ensures that every installation meets the exacting safety benchmarks required by Quebec City authorities. For further details on the Quebec Construction Code, specifiers can consult the official documentation provided by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).

Aligning with Quebec City’s Fire Safety Codes and the National Building Code of Canada 2020

The Quebec Construction Code and NBC 2020 classify fire-resistance ratings based on occupancy and building height, requiring glazed assemblies to maintain integrity (E) and often insulation (I) for specified durations. Antifires’ systems are engineered to meet these classifications, with products tested to CAN/ULC-S104 for fire doors and ULC-S101 for wall assemblies. For instance, a 45-minute fire separation in a mixed-use building may require an EI45 rating, while egress corridors in high-rise structures often demand EI60 or EI90 performance. The glass composition, such as the 28mm multi-layer structure (6mm glass + 5.5mm gel + 5mm glass + 5.5mm gel + 6mm glass), provides certified insulation by limiting temperature rise on the unexposed side to an average of 140°C and a maximum of 180°C. Frame integration is equally critical; Antifires uses G.M.S. hollow steel sections with ceramic wool (density 210 kg/m³) and intumescent seals (20mm x 4mm) to prevent heat transfer and maintain structural stability under furnace pressures of 0 ±2Pa. This technical precision ensures that Quebec City projects achieve compliance without compromising design flexibility.

Selecting Fire Rated Glass Grades for Quebec City’s Climate and Building Typologies

Selecting the correct fire-rated glass grade for Quebec City’s diverse building typologies requires a deep understanding of spatial separation rules and unprotected opening allowances. For commercial towers in Sainte-Foy, an E90 integrity-only rating may suffice for interior partitions where insulation is not critical, while institutional buildings like schools require EI60 assemblies to protect occupants in egress routes. Antifires provides a range of certified solutions, from 10mm FPOS glass (135-minute integrity, 16-minute insulation) for low-rise applications to 50mm ultra-high-performance units that achieve EI120 for fire-rated walls in industrial zones. The ULC label on each product simplifies RBQ inspections, as it confirms compliance with Canadian national standards. For heritage structures in Vieux-Québec, where frame depth is limited, the 21mm FPOS composite glass (120-minute integrity, 30-minute insulation) offers a slim profile that fits existing masonry openings while meeting modern fire separation requirements. This adaptability ensures that Quebec City specifiers can match performance to project-specific risk profiles, from residential conversions to high-occupancy assembly halls.

Meeting Quebec City’s Building Application Demands: From Historic Facades to New Industrial Zones

Quebec City’s unique architectural heritage, particularly in the Vieux-Québec UNESCO district, presents specific challenges for fire-rated glazing. Antifires addresses this with custom fire-rated windows that replicate historic profiles—such as multi-pane steel frames with divided lights—while integrating certified fire-resistant glass. For hotel and residential conversions of 19th-century buildings, these systems achieve a 45-minute fire separation rating as required by the Quebec Construction Code, using a 10mm or 15mm FPOS glass that fits within existing masonry openings. The installation process incorporates ceramic fiber expansion gaps (3mm–5mm) and M6 anchor bolts at 300mm spacing to accommodate thermal movement without compromising integrity. In contrast, new industrial zones like those in La Cité-Limoilou demand high-performance EI120 assemblies for fire barriers between storage areas and production lines. Antifires’ 50mm multi-layer insulated glass provides both thermal insulation and structural resistance, with test data showing maximum deflection of 38mm–152mm toward the furnace under standard fire conditions. This dual capability ensures that Quebec City’s building stock, from historic facades to modern logistics centers, receives appropriate fire protection without sacrificing architectural authenticity or operational safety.

Why Quebec City Specifiers Trust Antifires for Certified Fire Protection Systems

Antifires has established a reputation among Quebec City specifiers by providing direct ULC-listed product documentation and bilingual technical support (French/English) that aligns with RBQ submission requirements. The company’s localized inventory reduces lead times for critical projects, ensuring that fire-rated glass and door systems are available when needed. For fire door systems, Antifires offers assemblies tested to BS EN 1634-1 and CAN/ULC-S104, with certified ratings from E60 to EI120. On-site consultation services help contractors navigate permit submissions, providing detailed test reports and installation guidelines that reference specific furnace conditions (ambient temperatures of 27°C–36°C, relative humidity 43%–90%) to validate performance under real-world scenarios. The use of certified components—such as intumescent seals, ceramic wool, and fire-rated insulation boards (12mm–15mm)—ensures that every installation meets the stringent requirements of the Quebec Construction Code. By combining technical expertise with regulatory knowledge, Antifires delivers a streamlined path to compliance for Quebec City’s most demanding projects, from heritage restorations to large-scale commercial developments.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, Antifires fire-rated glass systems carry ULC certification in accordance with CAN/ULC-S104 and ULC-S101, which are the standards recognized by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for Quebec City projects. Each product is tested to verify integrity and insulation performance, with ULC labels affixed to assemblies for easy identification during RBQ inspections. This certification ensures that the glazing meets the fire-resistance ratings specified in the Quebec Construction Code, whether for 45-minute, 60-minute, or 90-minute applications. Antifires provides full documentation, including test reports and installation guidelines, to support permit submissions and simplify the approval process with local authorities.

For commercial building egress corridors in Quebec City, the Quebec Construction Code typically requires a 45-minute or 60-minute fire-resistance rating, depending on building height and occupancy classification. For corridors serving as part of a means of egress, an EI60 rating (60 minutes of integrity and insulation) is common to protect occupants from heat and smoke during evacuation. Antifires offers certified solutions such as the 28mm EI60 panel (66-minute integrity, 64-minute insulation) and the 26mm door glass (89-minute integrity, 68-minute insulation), both tested to ULC standards. In some low-rise buildings, a 45-minute integrity-only rating may be acceptable, but insulation is strongly recommended for occupant safety. Specifiers should consult the NBC 2020 and local amendments for specific requirements.

Yes, Antifires provides custom fire-rated windows that replicate the historic appearance of buildings in Vieux-Québec while meeting modern code requirements. These systems use 10mm or 15mm FPOS fire-rated glass, which offers up to 135 minutes of integrity and fits within slim-profile steel frames designed to match heritage profiles, such as multi-pane divisions or arched transoms. The glass is tested to CAN/ULC-S104 and ULC-S101, ensuring compliance with the 45-minute fire separation rating often required for hotel and residential conversions in the UNESCO district. Installation uses ceramic fiber expansion gaps and anchor bolts to preserve existing masonry openings, allowing architects to maintain the visual authenticity of Quebec City’s historic facades without compromising fire safety. For more details on heritage-compatible solutions, explore our fire rated windows page.