FIRE RATED WINDOWS & DOORS
The history of fire-rated windows is closely tied to advancements in building safety and fire protection. The need for fire-resistant materials and components became more apparent as urbanisation led to the construction of taller and more complex buildings. Here's an overview of the Jansen range we offer and a brief history of fire-rated windows.
New World, Pt Chevalier
Eden Park, Mount Eden
Wellington Convention Centre, Wellington CBD
K Road Train Station, City Rail Link
Critical Safety and Building Compliance
The systems in the range are:
● -/30/- to -/120/-
Economy 60 in 30-minute [E30] and 60-minute [E60] versions
● -/30/30
Janisol 2 EI30
● -/60/60
Janisol C4 EI60.
ECONOMY 60
Economy 60 [E30] is a 60 mm system available with either 30-minute or 60-minute integrity-only protection against fire. It is suitable for flush single and double-leaved doors, with optional side and top lights, making it ideal for internal fire-rated partition walls.
JANISOL
The Janisol door systems are thermally broken, ensuring excellent all-round insulation—an important consideration when sustainability and whole-life costs are key factors. Both Janisol 2 and Janisol C4 are elegant 60 mm and 70 mm deep systems, perfectly suited for fire and smoke doors with fixed lights. They have a contemporary, lightweight appearance with double rebate seals, and an intelligent fire-retardant filling delivers 60 minutes of integrity and insulation protection. Both Janisol 2 and Janisol C4 EI60 offer concealed closers for a clean design line.
(Janisol 2 EI30) provides protection against fire and smoke for 30 minutes. It's designed for single and double doors and partitions.
(Janisol C4 EI60) provides protection against fire and smoke for 60 minutes.
Janisol C4 EI60 can be fitted with concealed hinges, providing architects with superior visual aesthetics while maintaining performance. For areas where vision or light is not required, doors can be overclad with 2 mm steel sheet. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Schüco Jansen glazed screens, these doors have hinges tested through a million cycles, making them suitable for high-traffic locations such as schools, hospitals, offices, and public buildings.
A comprehensive range of fittings and accessories—including different glazing bead variants, a variety of hinge types, and a choice of face-fixed door handles—allows all three systems to be customised to complement any location perfectly. All systems offer SA smoke protection and are fully assessed to EN 1634 for both fire and smoke protection.
Bespoke designs are required for higher-level fire ratings.
eg. -/120/- , -/120/120
INTEGRITY ONLY
(No protection from heat transfer)
Integrity Only
Integrity Only is a rating that restricts the progress of the fire through the fire-rated window or door. It does not offer any protection against the heat generated by the fire. Where the rating has an SM suffix, it offers protection against the passage of smoke 30/0 – 30 minutes integrity/0 minutes insulation.
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30/0 – 30 minutes integrity/0 minutes insulation
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E30 – 30 minutes integrity only/0 minutes insulation
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E30(SM) – 30 minutes integrity/0 minutes insulation but with Smoke protection
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FD30 – Fire Door 30 minutes integrity only/0 minutes insulation
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FD30(SM) – Fire Door 30 minutes integrity/0 minutes insulation but with Smoke protection
INTEGRITY & INSULATION
(Heat and fire protection)
Integrity & Insulation
An Integrity and Insulation rating not only offers protection against the spread of the fire but also offers Insulation against the heat generated. As with Integrity, only where the rating has an SM suffix, it offers protection against the passage of smoke.
Substitute 30 with 15, 60, 90, and 120 as necessary.
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30/30 – 30 minutes integrity/30 minutes insulation
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EI30 – 30 minutes integrity only/30 minutes insulation
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EI30(SM) – 30 minutes integrity/30 minutes insulation, but with Smoke protection
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FD30/30 – Fire Door 30 minutes integrity only/30 minutes insulation
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FD30/30(SM) – Fire Door 30 minutes integrity/30 minutes insulation, but with Smoke protection
The History of Fire Rated Windows
Early 20th Century
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Metal Frames – In the early 20th century, metal frames, including steel, began to be used in windows to improve strength and durability. While these materials were not specifically designed for fire resistance, they laid the groundwork for developments in fire-rated windows. Following the great fire of London, in Boston, where whole city blocks were destroyed by fire, designers decided that fire separation between the buildings prevented the spread of fire, thus reducing the risk of these historical catastrophes. This design philosophy has evolved with modern materials such as fire glass, whereby today we can offer extremely good fire safety when building on or close to the boundary. Now we use engineered systems to divide buildings into "fire cells".
1930s-1940s
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Building Codes and Standards – The need for fire safety became more formalised with the establishment of building codes and standards. These regulations began to include requirements for fire-resistant building materials.
1950s-1960s
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Introduction of Fire-Rated Glass – During this period, the development of fire-rated glass became a crucial innovation. Manufacturers began producing glass that could withstand exposure to fire for a specified period without compromising its structural integrity.
1970s-1980s
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Advancements in Fire-Resistant Materials – The 1970s and 1980s saw advancements in fire-resistant materials, including those used in windows. Fire-rated windows with specific ratings, indicating their ability to withstand fire for a certain duration, became more widely available.
1990s-2000s
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Stringent Testing Standards – Fire-rated windows became subject to more stringent testing standards to ensure their performance in real fire scenarios. Various testing methods and classifications were established to categorise the fire resistance of windows based on factors such as integrity and insulation.
21st Century
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Innovations in Design – Advances in materials and manufacturing techniques have allowed for more aesthetically pleasing fire-rated window designs without compromising safety. This has been particularly important in architectural projects where both safety and design considerations are crucial.
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Intumescent Technology – The use of intumescent technology has become more prevalent. Intumescent materials expand when exposed to heat, creating a barrier that helps prevent the spread of fire.
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Global Standards – As construction practices have become more globalised, there has been an effort to standardise fire safety requirements for buildings, including the specifications for fire-rated windows.
Today, fire-rated windows are an integral part of building design, especially in structures where fire safety is of paramount importance, such as hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings. The evolution of fire-rated windows reflects a continuous commitment to improving building safety and mitigating the risks associated with fire incidents. As your trusted fire window partner, Steelguard's commitment to continuous development and improvement will ensure you have safe and dependable solutions to protect property and life.
Hayes Newmarket Foundry Retail Development and Fujitsu House
“This work has involved both fire-related steel-framed windows and architecturally designed steel shopfronts. To conclude, we would not hesitate in recommending Steelguard Ltd and their personnel for future construction projects.”
JOHN SANGSTER
N Cole Ltd.
Nigel
• Senior Project Manager
Since 1992, Nigel has held management positions in maintenance and manufacturing companies based in Auckland and has been with Steelguard for 16 years ongoing.
Nigel has extensive experience managing fire-rated projects, with a strong focus on compliance, performance standards, and the delivery of certified systems across complex environments such as prisons, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Talk To Steelguard About Fire Rated Windows & Doors
We can advise on which system has the rating the enquirer needs, but the client or design professional would need to contact the relevant local building consent authority to ascertain the rating required in each situation as given in the Building Code.
Featured Project
EDEN PARK
KINGSLAND - AUCKLAND
Understanding Fire Ratings For Fire Rated Windows And Doors
Fire ratings help project teams understand how long a fire rated window, fire rated door or glazed steel screen is designed to resist fire, smoke and heat transfer under tested conditions. For architects, contractors and building owners, these ratings are important because they affect product selection, glazing type, frame system, hardware, installation method and compliance documentation. As fire door manufacturers and steel window specialists in New Zealand, we work with each project’s required rating before recommending a suitable system, whether the brief calls for integrity only protection, smoke control, insulation performance or a higher level of fire resistance for public, commercial, industrial or specialist buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fire Rated Windows And Doors
What Is The Difference Between Fire Rated Doors And Standard Steel Doors?
Fire rated doors are designed and tested to resist fire for a defined period, depending on the required rating. A standard steel door may offer strength and durability, but it does not automatically provide certified fire resistance. The frame, glass, hardware, seals and installation method all need to work together as part of the tested fire rated system.
Do You Manufacture Fire Rated Windows In New Zealand?
Yes. We manufacture fire rated windows and doors in New Zealand for commercial, public, institutional, industrial and specialist architectural projects. Each system is selected around the required fire rating, opening size, glazing, door function, smoke control requirements and project specification.
Can Fire Rated Windows Still Look Architectural?
Yes. Fire rated windows can be designed with slim steel profiles, clean sightlines and glazed sections that suit modern architectural projects. The key is choosing a system that meets the required fire rating while still supporting the design intent, including visibility, natural light, circulation and visual consistency with the wider building.
Who Decides What Fire Rating A Door Or Window Needs?
The required fire rating is usually determined by the project’s fire report, architectural documentation, building consent requirements or the relevant building authority. We can advise on which systems may suit a required rating, but the final rating requirement should be confirmed by the client, architect, fire engineer or relevant local building consent authority.
Do You Supply Fire Rated Doors For Projects Outside Auckland?
Yes. While our factory is based in Auckland, we work with project teams across New Zealand. This can include fire rated doors and windows for projects in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and other regions, depending on the project scope, specification, programme and installation requirements.
Can Fire Rated Doors Include Glass?
Yes. Fire rated doors can include fire rated glass where the selected system allows it. Glazed fire doors are often used where visibility, light transfer or design continuity is important, such as corridors, schools, hospitals, offices, public buildings and internal fire rated partitions.
Do Fire Rated Doors Need Specialist Installation?
Yes. Fire rated doors and windows should be installed correctly so the tested system can perform as intended. The frame, fixings, seals, glazing, hardware and surrounding construction all matter. Poor installation can compromise the performance of an otherwise suitable fire rated product.