Winston-Salem Certified Fire Rated Glass for Local Building Code Compliance

Winston-Salem commercial building projects must adhere to the fire safety requirements defined by the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code (NCSBC), which incorporates the International Building Code (IBC) with state-specific amendments. For egress corridors, stairwell enclosures, and assembly occupancies, the code mandates fire-resistance ratings typically ranging from 1-hour to 2-hour, depending on occupancy type and building height. Antifires supplies certified fire-rated glass and glazed systems that meet these stringent local regulations, ensuring compliance with ASTM E119 and UL 263 standards. These assemblies are tested for integrity (E) and insulation (I) performance, providing verified protection against flame, smoke, and radiant heat transfer. The city’s fire marshals in Forsyth County require third-party testing documentation for all fire-rated glazing in new construction and renovation projects. Antifires’ product line includes fire rated glass systems that deliver up to 120 minutes of integrity and insulation, suitable for high-risk zones such as hospital corridors and school assembly areas. By aligning with both state and local enforcement practices, these solutions streamline permit approvals and reduce project delays. For detailed regulatory guidance, refer to the official North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal documentation. This localized approach ensures that every installation in Winston-Salem meets the highest standards of passive fire protection.

North Carolina State Building Code Fire Resistance Requirements for Winston-Salem

The 2018 North Carolina State Building Code (Chapter 7) specifies fire-resistance ratings for fire barriers, smoke barriers, and horizontal assemblies in Winston-Salem commercial buildings. For egress corridors serving an occupant load of 30 or more, a 1-hour fire-resistance rating is typically required, while exit stairwells and elevator hoistways often demand 2-hour ratings. Antifires provides glazing systems that comply with these hourly requirements through rigorous testing to ASTM E119 and UL 263 standards. These tests evaluate both integrity (E)—the ability to prevent flame and hot gas penetration—and insulation (I), which limits temperature rise on the unexposed side to a maximum average of 140°C (284°F). For example, the 28mm EI60 panel delivers 66 minutes of integrity and 64 minutes of insulation, making it suitable for 1-hour rated corridors. The 50mm and 54mm ultra-high-performance glass assemblies achieve up to 120 minutes of both integrity and insulation, ideal for 2-hour rated enclosures. Local fire marshals in Forsyth County require submittal of certified test reports and product data sheets for all fire-rated glazing. Antifires ensures that each assembly is installed with approved frames, intumescent seals, and ceramic wool backer rods to maintain the system’s fire resistance. This technical alignment with NCSBC provisions allows Winston-Salem architects and contractors to specify glazing with confidence, knowing it will pass inspection and provide reliable passive fire protection.

Winston-Salem Project Fire Rated Glass Performance Ratings and Glazing Specifications

Fire-rated glazing performance in Winston-Salem projects is defined by two primary criteria: integrity (E) and insulation (I). Integrity ratings (e.g., E60, E90, E120) indicate the duration a glass assembly can withstand fire exposure without allowing flame or hot gas passage. Insulation ratings (e.g., EI30, EI60, EI120) add thermal protection, limiting heat transfer to the unexposed side. For healthcare facilities in Winston-Salem, such as those at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, code requires insulated glazing in smoke barriers and horizontal exits to protect patients and staff. Antifires’ fire rated glass systems include 26mm door glass that provides 89–90 minutes of integrity and 68 minutes of insulation, meeting the 1-hour insulation requirement for many egress paths. The following table summarizes key performance specifications for common Winston-Salem applications:

ProductIntegrity (min)Insulation (min)Typical Application
28mm EI60 Panel66641-hour corridors, smoke barriers
26mm Door Glass89–90681-hour fire doors in assembly occupancies
50mm EI1201201202-hour stairwells, elevator lobbies

All assemblies are tested with G.M.S. hollow steel frames and ceramic wool seals (density 210 kg/m³) to ensure consistent performance. For Winston-Salem permit submissions, Antifires provides third-party test reports from accredited laboratories, verifying compliance with local fire marshal requirements.

Winston-Salem Healthcare and Educational Facility Fire Rated Partition Applications

Healthcare and educational facilities in Winston-Salem present unique fire safety challenges due to high occupant densities and the presence of vulnerable populations. The 2018 NCSBC requires 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridors in hospitals (I-2 occupancies) and 1-hour rated smoke barriers in schools (E occupancies) to compartmentalize fire and facilitate safe egress. Antifires’ fire-rated glass partitions are engineered to meet these demands, offering both integrity and insulation to contain fire while maintaining visibility for wayfinding and security. For example, the 21mm FPOS glass (120 minutes integrity, 30 minutes insulation) is ideal for corridor glazing in schools where 30-minute insulation is sufficient to protect egress paths. In hospital operating suites and intensive care units, the 28mm EI60 panel (66 minutes integrity, 64 minutes insulation) provides enhanced thermal protection, preventing heat buildup that could endanger patients on life support. These systems are installed with 12mm to 15mm fire-rated insulation boards and 3mm to 6mm ceramic wool in expansion gaps, ensuring that the entire assembly—glass, frame, and sealant—acts as a unified fire barrier. Antifires also supplies fire partition solutions that integrate with existing building management systems, allowing for seamless installation in retrofit projects. By specifying these tested assemblies, Winston-Salem facility managers can achieve code compliance while preserving natural light and open sightlines in critical care and learning environments.

Antifires Local Technical Support and UL-Certified Product Availability in Winston-Salem

Antifires offers comprehensive technical support for Winston-Salem contractors, architects, and facility owners, ensuring that fire-rated glazing systems are specified, installed, and inspected correctly. All products are tested to UL 263 and ASTM E119 standards, with certified test reports available for submission to the Forsyth County Fire Marshal’s office. The local support team provides project-specific compliance documentation, including product data sheets, installation manuals, and fire test summaries. For Winston-Salem projects, Antifires maintains inventory of key products such as the 10mm FPOS (135 minutes integrity) and the 50mm EI120 (120 minutes integrity and insulation), allowing for rapid delivery to job sites. The company’s engineers assist with system design, ensuring that frame profiles, glazing pocket depths, and sealant specifications align with the tested assembly. Installation guidelines require M6/M8 anchor bolts at 300–600mm spacing and 3–5mm expansion gaps filled with ceramic fiber to accommodate thermal movement. Antifires also offers on-site training for Winston-Salem installation crews, covering proper handling, glazing tape application, and intumescent seal placement. By combining UL-certified products with localized technical expertise, Antifires helps Winston-Salem building professionals navigate the complexities of fire-rated glazing compliance, from permit application to final inspection.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, Antifires provides fire-rated glass assemblies that are classified under UL 263 and tested to ASTM E119 standards, meeting the 1-hour fire-resistance rating required for egress corridors in Winston-Salem commercial buildings under the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code. Products such as the 28mm EI60 panel (66 minutes integrity, 64 minutes insulation) and the 26mm door glass (89–90 minutes integrity, 68 minutes insulation) are specifically designed for 1-hour rated applications. These assemblies include certified test reports that document compliance with both integrity and insulation criteria, ensuring they pass local fire marshal inspections. Antifires can also provide project-specific documentation for permit submissions in Forsyth County.

Antifires supplies fire doors with a range of fire resistance ratings suitable for Winston-Salem’s mixed-use commercial buildings. Available ratings include E60, E90, and E120 for integrity-only applications, and EI30, EI60, and EI120 for assemblies requiring both integrity and insulation. For example, the 26mm glazed door glass achieves 89–90 minutes of integrity and 68 minutes of insulation, making it ideal for 1-hour rated doors in assembly occupancies. For 2-hour rated stairwell doors, the 50mm EI120 glass provides 120 minutes of both integrity and insulation. All door systems are tested to BS EN 1634-1 and ASTM E119 with steel frames and intumescent seals to ensure reliable performance.

Yes, Antifires supplies complete project-specific compliance documentation for Winston-Salem fire marshal inspections and permit applications. This includes third-party test reports from accredited laboratories, product data sheets, installation manuals, and system certification letters. For each assembly, documentation verifies compliance with UL 263 and ASTM E119 standards, as well as the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code. Antifires also provides detailed shop drawings and installation specifications that outline frame profiles, sealant types, and anchoring requirements. This documentation package is designed to streamline the permit review process with the Forsyth County Fire Marshal’s office and ensure that all fire-rated glazing installations meet local enforcement requirements.