Skip to main content
Book cover

Asia-Oceania Symposium on Fire Science and Technology

AOSFST 2018: The Proceedings of 11th Asia-Oceania Symposium on Fire Science and Technology pp 549–560Cite as

The Breakage Behavior of Different Types of Glazing in a Fire

  • Conference paper

  • 1018 Accesses

Abstract

Different from concrete and steel, window glass or glass façade breaks very easily when subjected to a compartment fire. The new vent created by the glass fallout may cause fire spread out and fresh air entrance which can markedly change the enclosure fire dynamics. Nowadays, different types of glazing, such as clear, coated, ground and multi-pane glazing, are increasingly employed in newly constructed buildings. However, very little is known about their fire risk, especially the comprehensive comparison between them is yet to be investigated. In this paper, the fire resistance comparison of different types of glazing is conducted based on the author’s very recent and ongoing experimental results. Literature works of other researchers are also presented for comparison. Additionally, fire safety design and recommendation of glass in buildings are discussed in detail. This research is proposed to provide valuable references for the fire safety performance-based design of glass façades in high-rise buildings.

Keywords

  • Glass type
  • Fire
  • Thermal breakage
  • Fire resistance

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9139-3_40
  • Chapter length: 12 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-981-32-9139-3
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

References

  1. Debuyser, M., Sjöström, J., Lange, D., Honfi, D., Sonck, D., & Belis, J. (2017). Behaviour of monolithic and laminated glass exposed to radiant heating. Construction and Building Materials, 130, 212–229.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  2. Axinte, E. (2011). Glasses as engineering materials: A review. Materials and Design, 32, 1717–1732.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  3. He, Y., & Poon, L. (1988). Experimental observations and modelling of window glass breakage in building fires. Fire Safety Science, 3, 295–306.

    Google Scholar 

  4. https://zj.zjol.com.cn/news.html?id=679231.

  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenfell_Tower_fire.

  6. Emmons, H. (1986). The needed fire science. In Fire Safety Science-Proceedings of the First International Symposium (pp. 33–53). IAFSS.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Keski-Rahkonen, O. (1988). Breaking of window glass close to fire. Fire and Materials, 12, 61–69.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  8. Keski-Rahkonen, O. (1991). Breaking of window glass close to fire, II: circular panes. Fire and Materials, 15, 11–16.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  9. Skelly, M. J., Roby, R. J., & Beyler, C. L. (1991). An experimental investigation of glass breakage in compartment fires. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 3, 25–34.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  10. Cuzzillo, B. R., & Pagni, P. J. (1998). Thermal breakage of double-pane glazing by fire. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 9, 1–11.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  11. Joshi, A. A., & Pagni, P. J. (1991). Users’ guide to BREAK1, the Berkeley algorithm for breaking window glass in a compartment fire. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Shao, G., Chen, H., Su, Y., Sun, J., et al. (2014). Fracture behavior of a four-point fixed glass curtain wall under fire conditions. Fire Safety Journal, 67, 24–34.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  13. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Sun, J., He, L., & Liew, K. M. (2014). Effects of fixing point positions on thermal response of four point-supported glass façades. Construction and Building Materials, 73, 235–246.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  14. Chow, W., Hung, W., Gao, Y., Zou, G., & Dong, H. (2007). Experimental study on smoke movement leading to glass damages in double-skinned façade. Construction and Building Materials, 21, 556–566.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  15. Chow, W., & Hung, W. (2006). Effect of cavity depth on smoke spreading of double-skin façade. Building and Environment, 41, 970–979.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  16. Shao, G., Wang, Q., Zhao, H., Wang, Y., Sun, J., & He, L. (2016). Thermal breakage of tempered glass façade with down-flowing water film under different heating rates. Fire Technology, 52, 563–580.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  17. Shao, G., Wang, Q., Zhao, H., Wang, Y., Chen, H., Su, Y., et al. (2014). Maximum temperature to withstand water film for tempered glass exposed to fire. Construction and Building Materials, 57, 15–23.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Wen, J. X., Sun, J., & Liew, K. M. (2017). Investigation of thermal breakage and heat transfer in single, insulated and laminated glazing under fire conditions. Applied Thermal Engineering, 125, 662–672.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang, Q., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Chen, H., Sun, J., & He, L. (2014). A stochastic analysis of glass crack initiation under thermal loading. Applied Thermal Engineering, 67, 447–457.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  20. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Sun, J., He, L., & Liew, K. (2016). Thermal performance of exposed framing glass façades in fire. Materials and Structures, 49, 2961–2970.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  21. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Su, Y., Sun, J., He, L., & Liew, K. M. (2015). Fracture behavior of framing coated glass curtain walls under fire conditions. Fire Safety Journal, 75, 45–58.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Shao, G., Chen, H., Sun, J., He, L., et al. (2014). Experimental study on critical breaking stress of float glass under elevated temperature. Materials and Design, 60, 41–49.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  23. Joshi, A. A., & Pagni, P. J. (1994). Fire-induced thermal fields in window glass. 1. Theory. Fire Safety Journal, 22, 25–43.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Chowdhury, H., & Cortie, M. B. (2007). Thermal stresses and cracking in absorptive solar glazing. Construction and Building Materials, 21, 464–468.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  25. Harada, K., Enomoto, A., Uede, K., & Wakamatsu, T. (2000). An experimental study on glass cracking and fallout by radiant heat exposure. In Fire Safety Science—Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium (pp. 1063–1074). IAFSS.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Zhang, Y., Wang, Q., Zhu, X., Huang, X., & Sun, J. (2011). Experimental study on crack of float glass with different thicknesses exposed to radiant heating. Procedia Engineering, 11, 710–718.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  27. Li, M., Lu, G., Hu, Z., Mei, X., Li, L., & Wang, L. (2014). Research on fire endurance of tempered glass based on infrared imaging technology. Procedia Engineering, 84, 553–557.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  28. Manzello, S. L., Gann, R. G., Kukuck, S. R., Prasad, K. R., & Jones, W. W. (2007). An experimental determination of a real fire performance of a non-load bearing glass wall assembly. Fire Technology, 43, 77–89.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  29. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Shao, G., Chen, H., Su, Y., Sun, J., et al. (2014). Experimental study on thermal breakage of four-point fixed glass facade. In: Fire Safety Science—Proceedings of the Eleventh International Symposium (pp. 666–676). Christchurch, New Zealand: IAFSS.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Babrauskas, V. (2011). Glass breakage in fires. Fire Science and Technology, Inc. https://www.doctorfire.com/GlassBreak.pdf, 22.

  31. Shields, J., Silcock, G. W., & Flood, F. (2005). Behaviour of double glazing in corner fires. Fire Technology, 41, 37–65.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  32. Mowrer, F. W. (1998). Window breakage induced by exterior fire. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Wang, Y., Wang, Q., Su, Y., Sun, J., He, L., & Liew, K. M. (2017). Experimental study on fire response of double glazed panels in curtain walls. Fire Safety Journal, 92, 53–63.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  34. Wang, Y., Li, K., Su, Y., Lu, W., Wang, Q., Sun, J., et al. (2017). Determination of critical breakage conditions for double glazing in fire. Applied Thermal Engineering, 111, 20–29.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  35. Klassen, M. S., Sutula, J. A., Holton, M. M., Roby, R. J., & Izbicki, T. (2006). Transmission through and breakage of multi-pane glazing due to radiant exposure. Fire Technology, 42, 79–107.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Dr. Yu Wang is supported by IRIS-Fire project of UK (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Grant no.: EP/P029582/1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JL, UK

    Yu Wang

Authors
  1. Yu Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu Wang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fire Science, Central Police University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan

    Guan-Yuan Wu

  2. National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

    Kuang-Chung Tsai

  3. Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

    W. K. Chow

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Wang, Y. (2020). The Breakage Behavior of Different Types of Glazing in a Fire. In: Wu, GY., Tsai, KC., Chow, W.K. (eds) The Proceedings of 11th Asia-Oceania Symposium on Fire Science and Technology. AOSFST 2018. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9139-3_40

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9139-3_40

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-32-9138-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-32-9139-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)