Fire-Rated Rooflights Glossary

If you have never worked in the rooflights industry, you may be unfamiliar with some of the terms used by professionals. This is why Natralight has put together this handy glossary with some of the frequently used terms when putting quotes for fire-rated rooflights together.

Fire-Rated Rooflights Terms Explained

CE Marking - CE Marking demonstrates that a product complies with the relevant harmonised European standards (EN) relating to the type of product in question.

Certifire - This is an independent third party certification scheme that assures performance, quality, reliability and traceability of fire protection products. Certifire is recognised by regulatory authorities all over the world and is an internationally respected mark of fire safety and one of the most authoritative in the industry.

Energy Efficient Glass - A specially coated glass that gives greater protection against both heat and cold. This glazing can be thermally insulated and/or have a conductive coating to increase solar activity. Thermal insulation prevents heat from escaping and conductive heating helps to capture the warmth from natural daylight.

Fire-Rated Glass - Glass that has been proven to provide a defined period of protection against the threat of fire. This specialist glass acts as a barrier to help prevent the spread of flames, smoke and heat in the event of a fire. The glass is tested on its integrity and insulation and needs to be used as specified within the Building Regulations on fire safety.

Fire Resistant Test - A fire resistance test establishes the resistance of a product or material to fire exposure in line with British and European standards. Testing demonstrates the ability of the product or material to withstand exposure to a simulated fire in terms of temperature, time and pressure whilst maintaining its specific function.

Integrity Period - The ability of the fire-rated glass to withstand fire exposure on one side for the defined period without the spread of fire from the passage of flames or hot gases. The integrity barrier helps stop the spread of flames and hot gasses only for a defined period. This does not provide any heat resistance.

Safety Glass - This is glass that has some form of safety function from an Impact Safety Rating, for example, toughened glass, laminated glass or wired glass. Safety glass is harder to break and does not shatter in the same way as ordinary glass due to either the specific processing the glass undertaken or the bonded interlayer within the glass itself.

U-Value - U-value is a measurement of thermal transmittance that provides a rating of how effective a product or material is in terms of insulation. The lower the u-value, the better the product or material is as a heat insulator.

Get in Touch with Any Questions

If you have any questions about terms used in our fire-rated rooflights glossary, please do not hesitate to contact Natralight now.