GQAFEN26 Install and repair fire-resistant glazing

Overview

This standard is concerned with  (second fix) installation of fire-resistant glazing. You will need to complete the process from being able to read and use specifications to completing final inspections. You will understand the important factors involved in the installation of fire-resistant glazing including underpinning requirements relating to system types and regulations, standards and guidelines. This can apply to internal or external applications in glazing.

This standard is for you if you work in the Fenestration Industry and are involved in on- site installation work of fire-resistant glazing.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. comply with all health and safety regulations or standards
  2. assess potential risks associated with de-glazing, removal and replacement of fire-resistant glass
  3. plan and implement a safe route for extraction of damaged glass and insertion of replacement
  4. identify materials which need to be removed to replace the glass
  5. select required tools and equipment required to remove the glass from the system framework in line with organisational and regulatory requirements
  6. remove damaged or broken fire-resistant glazing in line with specifications and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  7. identify components which can be re-used when re-glazing the system framework with reference to the original system manufacturer where required
  8. store and protect, if necessary, material set aside for re-use in line with SOPs
  9. dispose of the removed materials in line with regulatory and legislative requirements and SOPs
  10. return glazing reveal to an 'as-new' condition for re-glazing
  11. identify and select materials crucial to the compliant installation of the glazing in line with building’s Golden Thread, construction issue or ‘as built’ drawings or job specification sheet
  12. identify and reject materials which, where damaged and if used, could risk failure to achieve the specified fire-resistance
  13. handle and store glass and associated materials in line with manufacturers' instructions
  14. select and use tools and equipment for installation in line with SOPs and regulatory requirements
  15. install glass in line with construction or 'as built' issue drawings, the building's Golden Thread, and/or the job specification sheet and glass and system manufacturer's instructions
  16. check, after the glazing is installed, that moving elements function in line with specifications and system manufacturer’s instructions
  17. record installation for inclusion in the building's Golden Thread and, where necessary, follow and complete the manufacturers' or relevant third-party certifiers' installation checklist

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. regulations or standards, codes of practice, SOPs and supporting evidence relevant to installation and repair of fire-resistant glazing
  2. reasons for using fire-resistant glazing systems as opposed to standard glazing systems
  3. meaning and importance of the Responsible NO
  4. risks which could be associated with de-glazing, removal and replacement of fire-resistant glass
  5. how to identify original components that have been used in the system
  6. tools and equipment required for removing damaged fire-resistant glazing, preparing for reglazing and carrying out glazing work in line with regulatory and organisational requirements
  7. process for removing damaged or broken fire-resistant glazing from the unit in line with specifications and SOPs
  8. how to identify components which can be reused
  9. how to store and protect materials set aside for re-use in line with SOPs
  10. how to identify and deal with recyclable materials in line with regulatory and legislative requirements and SOPs
  11. how to dispose of waste in line with regulatory and legislative requirements and SOPs
  12. processes required to return the glazing reveal to 'as-new’ condition for re-glazing
  13. how to read and interpret glazing job specification, construction issue or 'as built' drawings, building's Golden Thread and specific manufacturers' installation instructions
  14. different types and classifications of glass and their uses
  15. labelling of fire-resistant safety glass including why labels need to be used and what information is shown
  16. factors that influence the fire-resistance of glazing systems
  17. when replacing glass and associated components into a system or assembly, which was installed in compliance with particular certification, that it is essential the replacement materials either:
  • are identical, materially and dimensionally, to those being replaced, or:
  • have been certified as equivalent by appropriate documentation 
  1. how to install fire-resistant glazing in line with project information
  2. purpose and importance of particular materials and components including:
  • continuity of glazing tapes
  • type of glazing tape (intumescing or non-intumescing)
  • thickness of glazing tape in relation to glazing thickness tolerance and fit of clip-on beads
  • secure connection of glazing beads to the frame
  • number and positioning of intumescent strips around glass edge
  • number, continuity and overlap of intumescent strips in butt joints
  • number, size, material and position of glass setting blocks
  • orientation of glass where uni-directional
  • sealants (glass to bead)
  • whether sealant needs to be fire rated including on insulated glass
  • sealants closing up butt joints
  • edge tapes on non-toughened intumescent glass
  1. how to identify and raise any issues in relation to the installation work in line with SOPs
  2. meaning of ‘chain of responsibility’ and how and why installation is important part of it
  3. types of problems that can arise during repair and installation of fire-resistant glazing, and how these can be rectified in line with SOPs and regulatory requirements
  4. minimum requirements for a functioning moving element after it has been glazed including:
  • the allowable range of gaps around the door leaf
  • that the door or window should close flush
  • that the door or window must be effectively sealed for smoke and fire (as appropriate) when closed
  • that latching doors must achieve fully latched state in all locations when closed
  • that there are specific closing and opening force requirements for fire doors (especially minimum)
  1. meaning, purpose and importance of the Golden Thread
  2. manufacturer's requirements for completion of an installation checklist including:
  • intermediate stop points requiring a supervisor's sign-off
  • where the installer has the authority to stop and raise a concern before continuing
  • where photographic and video evidence of critical installation details must be taken and recorded

Relevant Occupations    

Glaziers, Window Fabricators and Fitters

Keywords           

Fenestration, Fire resistant glazing-metal systems