Certified Fire Rated Glass Solutions for Surrey’s Building Fire Safety Standards

In Surrey, Canada, building fire safety is governed by the 2024 British Columbia Building Code (BCBC), which sets stringent requirements for passive fire protection systems in all commercial, residential, and civic structures. Antifires delivers certified fire-rated glass and glazed systems engineered to meet these local mandates, ensuring compliance with ULC S101 (Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials) and CAN/ULC S104 (Standard Method for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies). These standards are critical for glazing installed in exit enclosures, vertical shafts, and fire separations within Surrey’s diverse building stock.

The BCBC requires that fire-rated glazing in specific applications, such as stairwells and corridors, maintain both integrity and insulation to prevent flame spread and heat transfer. Antifires’ product range—from 60-minute integrity-only glass to advanced 120-minute integrity and insulation systems—is third-party tested to these rigorous benchmarks. For local regulatory documentation, the British Columbia Building Code official portal provides the full text of fire safety provisions, including Section 3.1.8. for fire-resistance ratings.

By integrating ULC-listed components—such as intumescent seals, ceramic wool, and steel frames—Antifires ensures that every installation in Surrey meets the localized amendments for seismic resilience and thermal performance. This approach supports architects, contractors, and building owners in achieving code compliance without compromising design flexibility.

Surrey’s Adoption of the 2024 BC Building Code for Passive Fire Protection

Surrey’s enforcement of the 2024 British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) directly impacts the specification of fire-rated glazing, particularly in high-occupancy buildings such as mixed-use residential towers and healthcare facilities. The code mandates that glazing in exit enclosures and vertical shafts achieve a minimum fire-resistance rating, typically 45 minutes for integrity, as per local amendments addressing egress safety. Antifires’ systems are tested under ULC S101 to validate performance under these conditions, ensuring that glass assemblies can withstand fire exposure while maintaining structural stability.

For Surrey projects, the BCBC also requires that fire-rated glazing be part of a complete assembly—including frames, seals, and anchors—that has been tested as a unit. Antifires provides 60-minute integrity and insulation glass systems that incorporate intumescent seals and ceramic wool, tested to CAN/ULC S104 for door assemblies. This ensures that glazed elements in corridors and lobbies meet the code’s criteria for both flame containment and heat control, reducing the risk of fire spread during evacuation.

Local building officials in Surrey often require submittals that demonstrate compliance with these standards, including test reports and installation certifications. Antifires supports this process by providing documentation that aligns with the BCBC’s Section 3.2.8. for fire-resistance ratings, helping specifiers navigate the approval process efficiently.

Selecting ULC-Listed Fire Rated Glass for Surrey’s Seismic and Thermal Conditions

Selecting ULC-listed fire-rated glass for Surrey’s unique environmental conditions requires careful consideration of both seismic loads and thermal cycling. The city’s location in a seismically active region, combined with seasonal temperature variations from -10°C to 30°C, demands glazing systems that maintain fire resistance under mechanical stress. Antifires uses multi-layer tempered glass with intumescent gel—such as the 15mm FPOS structure—which provides integrity up to 132 minutes while accommodating structural movement through expansion gaps filled with ceramic fiber.

Third-party testing under ULC S101 validates that these assemblies can withstand the 45-minute fire exposure typical for Surrey’s mixed-use towers, with insulation ratings that limit unexposed side temperature rises to ≤180°C. For example, the 28mm EI60 panel achieves 66 minutes of integrity and 64 minutes of insulation, making it suitable for fire separations in commercial kitchens and mechanical rooms. The table below summarizes key performance data for common applications:

Glass TypeIntegrity (min)Insulation (min)Typical Application
10mm FPOS13516Corridor partitions
28mm EI606664Kitchen fire separations
50mm EI120120120Stairwell enclosures

For Surrey’s rapid transit corridors and civic developments, where large glazed areas are common, Antifires recommends systems with radiation control (EW120) to protect occupants from radiant heat. These assemblies use steel frames with 12mm fire-rated insulation boards and M8 anchor bolts spaced at 300mm intervals, ensuring stability under seismic events while meeting BCBC requirements for exit enclosure glazing.

Fire-Rated Applications in Surrey’s Rapid Transit Corridors and Civic Developments

Surrey’s rapid transit corridors, such as those along the SkyTrain Expo Line extension, and civic developments like the City Centre plan, require fire-rated glazing that balances transparency with robust passive protection. These projects often feature large glass panels in atriums, station entrances, and public lobbies, where fire-rated assemblies must maintain integrity for up to 120 minutes to allow safe evacuation and firefighter access. Antifires supplies 50mm and 54mm ultra-high-performance glass systems, tested to ASTM E119 and ULC S101, which achieve EI120 ratings with multi-layer insulated structures.

In transit environments, glazing must also resist impact and thermal shock from rapid temperature changes. Antifires’ systems incorporate 6mm ceramic wool (density 210 kg/m³) and intumescent seals (20mm × 4mm) to maintain seal integrity during fire exposure. For example, the 21mm FPOS glass provides 120 minutes of integrity and 30 minutes of insulation, making it suitable for corridor partitions in transit stations where partial insulation is acceptable. The following list outlines key considerations for Surrey civic projects:

  • Fire separation ratings: Ensure glazing meets the BCBC’s 45-minute minimum for exit enclosures, with higher ratings for vertical shafts.
  • Seismic compatibility: Use expansion gaps of 3–5mm filled with ceramic fiber to accommodate building movement.
  • Installation verification: Require third-party inspection of anchor bolt spacing (300–600mm) and frame anchoring.

By partnering with Antifires, Surrey contractors can access pre-engineered solutions that simplify compliance with municipal development permits, reducing project delays while ensuring occupant safety in high-traffic public spaces.

Why Surrey Contractors Trust Antifires for Local Code Support and Lead Times

Surrey contractors and specifiers choose Antifires for a combination of local code expertise and reliable product availability. The company’s systems are ULC-listed and tested to CAN/ULC S104, ensuring that every glazed assembly—from fire doors to partition walls—meets the 2024 BC Building Code’s fire-resistance requirements. This eliminates the risk of non-compliance during municipal inspections, which is critical for projects in Surrey’s fast-growing City Centre and transit-oriented developments.

Lead times are a key factor for Surrey’s construction schedules, particularly for high-rise residential towers and civic infrastructure. Antifires maintains inventory of common glass types, such as the 26mm door glass (integrity 89–90 minutes, insulation 68 minutes) and 28mm EI60 panels, enabling rapid delivery within 2–4 weeks. The company also offers pre-installation compliance reviews, helping contractors verify that submittals align with local building department requirements for fire-rated glazing in exit enclosures and fire separations.

Technical support from Antifires includes detailed installation guidelines for steel frames, ceramic wool, and intumescent seals, based on test conditions with furnace pressures of 0±2Pa and ambient temperatures of 27°C–36°C. This ensures that field installations replicate laboratory performance, giving Surrey building owners confidence in their passive fire protection systems. For project-specific needs, Antifires provides customized solutions, such as 50mm EI120 glass for stairwells, backed by certified test data from BS EN 1634-1 and AS1530.4 standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, Antifires provides ULC-labeled fire-rated glass that complies with the 2024 BC Building Code for Surrey’s high-rise residential projects. All systems are tested under ULC S101 and CAN/ULC S104 to ensure they meet the code’s fire-resistance ratings for exit enclosures and vertical shafts. For example, the 50mm EI120 glass achieves 120 minutes of integrity and insulation, suitable for stairwells and corridors in towers over six stories. Antifires also supplies 26mm door glass with 89–90 minutes of integrity, ideal for apartment entry doors. Each assembly includes certified frames, seals, and anchors, with documentation supporting municipal permit applications. Contact Antifires for a compliance review tailored to your project’s specific BCBC requirements.

For Surrey’s commercial kitchen fire separations, Antifires recommends a 60-minute integrity and insulation (EI60) rating, as required by the BCBC for high-hazard areas subject to local health authority inspections. The 28mm EI60 panel is an optimal choice, providing 66 minutes of integrity and 64 minutes of insulation, which limits heat transfer to ≤180°C on the unexposed side. This prevents ignition of adjacent materials and meets the code’s criteria for fire separations in commercial cooking environments. Antifires systems incorporate intumescent seals and ceramic wool to maintain performance under thermal stress. For projects with higher risk, such as large-scale catering facilities, the 50mm EI120 glass offers extended protection. Request a project quote to confirm compliance with Surrey’s inspection protocols.

Yes, Antifires offers a pre-installation compliance review for fire-rated glazing submittals in Surrey’s City Centre development permit process. This service includes verifying that the selected glass assembly—such as the 21mm FPOS (120-minute integrity) or 28mm EI60 panel—meets the BCBC’s fire-resistance requirements for exit enclosures and fire separations. Antifires reviews test reports, installation drawings, and anchor bolt spacing (300–600mm) to ensure alignment with local building department criteria. The review also confirms that frames, seals, and expansion gaps comply with tested configurations. This proactive step helps avoid permit delays and ensures that submittals satisfy Surrey’s municipal standards for passive fire protection. Contact Antifires to schedule a compliance review for your development.