Q: Debashish Das

I am an architect from Calcutta. Being a small practice i need to oversee nearly all aspects - from design to specs to overseeing execution quality ... not to mention making sure that the specs and the workmanship meet best practices.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

India is seeing a revival in construction, and the need for better aesthetics and safety. With this in mind, Saint-Gobain has launched a range of Fire Resistant Glass

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

Can a fire rated glass door swing in both directions?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Yes, definitely. It can open from both directions.

Q: Ajay Amle

Can we use rubber or vinyl coverings for fire escape staircase handrails? If yes which is the minimum class required to achieve the fire safety norms?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

It is not advisable to place any combustible substances like rubber in fire-risk areas; normally these areas require 2 hours of fire rating

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

what is the maximum fire rating which a glass door can take?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Two hours if it is a fully glazed fire door

Q: Vishwas

Can you give us a brief preview to your product and how it compares from normal metal fire safety doors from say Shakti or Godrej

A: TM Gopikrishnan

We will send a product brochure to you.. But in brief, we provide the option of using a fully-glazed fire door for upto two hours of resistance from fire as against metal doors with small vision panels - better aesthetics and visual security

Q: Nilesh Wairagade

Hi Mr. Gopi and Mr. Ghosh, can u please throw light about the new range of fire resistant glass u were talking about , earlier...

A: TM Gopikrishnan

We have a range of fully glazed fire rated partitions and door systems which offer integrity and/or insulation (30-120 mins)

Q: D Krishna Kumar

Good afternoon. i am an engineer in CPWD. Does the fire rated door have CBRI certification?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Our products are certified by international laboratories like Warrington and IFTS

Q: Sachin Mhatre

What role Glass elevation make when it comes to LEED or green building?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Glass helps in achieving points for LEED NC, CS and MR under energy perf, recycled content, regional materials and daylight and views; upto 14 points can be achieved by using glass efficiently

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

If the door can swing in both directions, it has to be pivoted.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

It will be hinged like a normal door (not a revolving door)

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

How do you tackle the undercuts/ gaps in that case

A: TM Gopikrishnan

We have a standard 7-mm gap from the floor to the shutter which is required to create the draft for fire, this is as per a tested report

Q: Prasanna

I would like to know what are the type of glasses you usually rated for fire safety- earlier some use to mention glasses with wire mesh was also a fire safety glass but a write up in a newspaper clearly indicates it is not.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Yes, wired glass was an option earlier, but a dangerous option. Today, you have the option of clear, tempered, impact-resistant glass systems

Q: Ajay Amle

What are the fire safety norms and rules for a private company having a manufacturing unit?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

This is a vast subject; I would suggest that you refer to the National Building Code

Q: Prasanna

Can we have fire safety glasses only as transparent or there can be different options of colour coating. if yes then please provide the options of colours.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Presently we have only clear options, unless you want to use it for exteriors, then we can match the exterior facade

Q: Prasanna

Can the fire safety glasses be tempered or else what are the physical properties of the fire safety glasses.

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

Yes all fire safety glasses in our range of products are tempered by a special process

Q: Sachin Mhatre

Can you please explain what type of glass we can used in external glazing, Internal glass partition, and Fire door vision panel

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

The type of glass that has to be used depends purely on the application and the rating required ... primarily it can be of 3 types- tempered, coated and interlayer

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

How do detail the glass wall as a smoke barrier wall.

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

The purpose for a glass smoke barrier is to content smoke only and no fire as such and it is tested as per a completely different standard which is much less stringent than a fire test

Q: Prasanna

If suppose I am using the fire safe glasses on an external facade of two floors, then please recommend the material for fire/smoke seal (between the floors) that are compatible with your proposed system.

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

There are fire rated cements, mortars or sealants available with various companies which can be used

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Prasanna: Presently we have only clear options, unless you want to use it for exteriors, then we can match the exterior facade

Q:  Manish

Can one way glass is converted as "fire safe" glass?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

One-way glass can be integrated with fire safety glass by double-glazing and testing it as a complete system, we have such tested products

Q: Vishwas posted 03:31

How does your product compare with normal metal fire safety door in terms of cost?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

As a ball-park figure, around three times but it depends on the quantity

Q: Manish

How much is the additional cost required than normal glass?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

For details on pricing, you can contact our local area office, but typically you can't compare both because normal glass may break within 2 minutes of a fire

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

What is maximum span for a fire rated glass wall for 2 hrs fire rating?

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

The glass can be as big as 1.4 x 2.8 sq mt for a single pane of glass

Q: Prasanna

This system is readily available in India or need to be imported on order.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

The system is not imported, but the glass is, we will shortly start manufacturing some of these glasses in India

Q: Sachin Mhatre

Is The glass is sound proof?

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

Depending on the composition mono, dgu and / or inter-layered sound reduction ranges from 37 to 53 db

Q: Prasanna

When you say system - is this integrated with frame work? If so then what is the material of the frame- Aluminium or Steel.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Yes it is the whole framework and the glass and the fixing, framework is made of GI powder-coated with special tapes and infills.

Q: Vishwas

I am assuming these being glass doors they will be weather proof as well in external application? Rain sun etc?

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

Some of the systems are meant for exteriors where else some are not. please check with the Saint-Gobain representative for your specific requirement

Q: Vishwas

Can you also explain the construction of door. What is the frame material? is it a double glazed unit? Will the surface on the other side of fire get heated? If yes to what extent, can I touch it? Will it double up as safety door as well or can I break in through it?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Construction details are proprietary, frame is GI, not necessarily DGU, in some products yes, the other surface gets heated, radiant heat can be as high as 25 KW per sqm, yes you can break through it if required

Q: Prasanna

Do you propose lamination of fire safe glass with a regular single glass???

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

In general any fire safety glass needs to undergo a fire test . So components cannot be replaced once tested. we do have laminated fire rated glass in our range

Q: Sachin Mhatre

And How we can address the issue of Travelling of Sound thru gaps and joints at top and bottom of Glass partitions in interior works.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

The gaps have to be sealed adequately, however, there is no cost-effective way of doing it at the bottom of the doors

Q: Chaitrali Bhide

How do mark TESTED for fire resistance on the glass?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

All fire rated glasses have a non-removable labelling which specifies the product name

Q: Prasanna

If you consider fire safe laminated glass then what are the ways that the glass can be broken down for exit???

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

The glass used for doors is not laminated

Q: Vishwas

Does these doors come with panic bar fitted onto them? Or is it optional or needs to be done at consumer end?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

It is optional, but can be done by the door installer or by the client, but this will have to be factored in while designing

Q: Vishwas

A bit more detail about hinges, door closer etc will be helpful in understanding the product

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Typically the tested system will contain the frame, shutter, tower bolt, glass, hinges, door closers and the lock, optional include panic bar, smoke seals

Q: Prasanna

Can we have a list of glass combinations that can be proposed for different functions with their specific fire rating???? If the glass list is provided can we have the confirmation that the all the combination of glasses are tested as per EN-1364-1-1999

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

Please provide me with your contact details. Our representative will get in touch with you. yes, all our glasses are tested as per EN 1364-1: 1999 or BS 476 : Part 22 or EN 1634-1: 1999

Q: Brijesh Kumar

What component is involved for fire rating to increase? At how much thickness fire rated glass are available.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

These are special glasses that are made with special substrates and intumescent, the thickness starts from 6mm, goes upto 58mm depending on the functionality, fire resistance and rating

Q: P.Jha

Is there any way to treat plain glass post application to make it fire resistant?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

No, there is no way

Q: Sachin Mhatre

To avoid sound travelling from bottom what type of fitting you will propose, even it not cost effective.

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Dorma has got a smoke seal which is largely used for cutting out the smoke, while it will cut off the sound, we frankly have not measured it, we will find out if some option is available and let you know

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Fire rating is manufacturing process or is it done after manufacturing?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

It is both; the substrate or base glass in some of the products is manufactured differently and then subjected to a specialised processing

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Can fire rated glass be laminated and if yes will be both glasses required fire rated?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Yes, we have tested laminated products which are used by some of the lift manufacturers as lift doors and car panels

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Glass availability in India? If not what will be lead time and minimum quantity?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Presently imported, lead time 8-10 weeks by sea, 4-5 weeks by air, will start manufacturing some products in India shortly

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Availability of colour options? Like other shade available in Saint-Gobain i.e. skn

A: TM Gopikrishnan

For exteriors, fire glass can be integrated with SKN, for interiors, it is limited to clear glass

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Warranty/safety certificate of glass for required fire rating period/time?

A: Ghosh Subhrangsu

Yes. we can provide you with a certificate and warranty on the fire rating of the entire system

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Yes with all applications we give a test certificate. If installed as per the test evidence under our supervision we will also provide a installation certificate

Q: nagarashmi

what should be the min. door size used for fire safety near fire escape staircase

A: TM Gopikrishnan

It is 1000mm X 2000 mm

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Can you please explain complete terms and conditions of fire safety warranty? What component involve in it?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

We normally provide a test certificate confirming a successful test on an equivalent prototype, in special cases where the warranty is provided, subject to installation as per tested evidence. Depending on the number of years that the warranty is required for, we charge a nominal fee

Q: Rafique Alam

Can we use a clear fire rated glass as frameless door or partition?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Yes, we have the option of using frameless partitions using a special butt-joined system. In doors, we don't have any options available in India as of now.

Q: Rafique Alam

What will be the maximum size of panel for frameless partition and also mention the minimum thickness of glass

A: TM Gopikrishnan

Thickness would be 25mm for a one-hour rating and the maximum panel size can be 1800mm X 3500mm

Q: Brijesh Kumar

Can processing of fire glass is done at any processor?

A: TM Gopikrishnan

No, it has to be purchased as an integrated unit from the manufacturer

TM Gopikrishnan

Thank you all. We will take your leave now. Have a nice weekend.