Stephen Bond, Technical Support Manager – Fire at Pilkington UK, part of the NSG Group, discusses the growing importance of fire-resistant glazing in contemporary building design, in the wake of the Grenfell consultation

The Grenfell Tower fire is a tragic reminder of what can happen when safety measures fall short.

The ripple effects of the disaster are felt deeply in the community and the recent Grenfell consultation echoed many of these concerns. Residents continue to raise safety issues, emphasising the need for better-quality homes, improved maintenance, and stronger fire safety measures.

As a result, there has been a significant overhaul in regulations enhancing fire safety and preventing future disasters. Architects and specifiers now face greater pressure to prioritise building occupants by specifying materials that improve fire safety – with pressure to not only meet but exceed minimum standards to restore public confidence.

When we think about fire-safe materials, glass might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But fire-resistant glazing plays a key role in ensuring that buildings comply with these new, tougher safety standards.

The Grenfell consultation highlighted the need for strong, tangible safety measures, and adopting innovations such as fire-resistant glazing will help create safer, more resilient buildings that will go a long way to restore public confidence in high-rise living.

Glass, when designed properly, can offer significant protection in a fire. It can prevent flames and smoke from spreading, helping to compartmentalise the fire. This buys critical time for evacuation and for emergency services to respond.

Take Pilkington UK’s fire protection range for example. This selection of multi-laminated, fully insulating fire-resistant glazing protects against both conductive and radiant heat. Years of research into how glass behaves in a fire have gone into perfecting these products, which offer varying levels of protection depending on the building’s requirements. Whether you need 30 minutes or up to 180 minutes of fire protection, there’s a solution that fits.

Fire-resistant glass in action can be seen at Whitechapel Station, London’s Elizabeth Line used Pilkington Pyroclear^® to meet Transport for London’s strict fire safety standards. The glass underwent rigorous tests, standing up to temperatures over 1000°C while maintaining its structural integrity.

But fire-resistant glazing isn’t just for large-scale commercial or transport hubs. It plays an equally important role in residential buildings. In an apartment block, for instance, this type of glazing can stop a fire from spreading between units or common areas, maintaining the building’s structure, and giving residents crucial time to evacuate safely.

Materials like this do more than just contain the fire, they ensure that the integrity of the building remains intact longer for evacuation.

By incorporating fire-resistant glazing into both commercial and residential projects, the built industry is making considerable progress in improving fire safety and provide practical solutions to the fire safety challenges that were raised in the Grenfell consultation.

We must ensure that fire safety is no longer just a box to tick, we must ensure it is a priority in order to protect lives and create peace of mind to building occupants.