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A Clear Solution for Harvard’s Klarman Hall
SAFTI FIRST
This new 120,000 square foot, state-of-the-art convening center features a 1,000-seat auditorium that is large enough to host the entire MBA class. The glass atrium floods the multi-purpose lobby with natural light, as well as provides a visual connection between the interior of the building and the outdoor environment. To maximize transparency, SAFTI FIRST® met with the architects during the design phase to create a large, 2-hour, glass wall that separates the lobby from the auditorium while providing a visual connection between them. Since this 2-hour glass wall also serves as the entrance to the auditorium, deciding on a 90-minute door system was of upmost important. SAFTI FIRST®’s in-house engineering department provided design assistance, system details, engineering calculations and support from the planning phase all the way to the submittal process.
A Nine-Story Lesson in Branding Excellence
SAFTI FIRST
SuperLite® II-XLM 120 clear butt-glazed walls with 9 ft. GPX® Builders Series 90 minute Temperature Rise doors creates a light-filled, transparent 2-hour stairwell that is on-brand with Waste Management’s new Houston Headquarters.
Army Hospital Features First-ever Fire Resistive, Blast Rated Curtain Wall that Meets DoD Antiterrorism Standards
SAFTI FIRST
The Department of Defense (DoD) published the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-010-01 Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings as a mandatory guideline to mitigate the threats of terrorism against buildings and ensure the safety of the individuals that inhabit them. It applies to all newly constructed DoD Components, DoD inhabited buildings, billeting and high-occupancy housing, as well as already inhabited buildings where the renovation costs are 50% or more than the value of the building (for a complete list, please see UFC 4-010-01 section 1.8).
Beautiful 2-Hour Glass Floor Brings Light and Protection to San Francisco’s Union Square Station
SAFTI FIRST
SAFTI FIRST® provided a unique, artistic 2-hour fire resistive glass floor to the new Union Square Station in San Francisco. This glass floor acts as a lightwell and designed to improve wayfinding by welcoming commuters into the concourse level while meeting all the fire rated code requirements. Because SAFTI FIRST®’s products are proudly USA-made, it met the Buy America requirements of the project as well.
Boston Building Protects Property Line with Fire Resistive Curtain Wall
SAFTI FIRST
The west-facing elevation of The Kensington in Boston, MA, was in close proximity to the property line, prompting the building official to require part of the curtain wall had to meet ASTM E-119/NFPA 251/UL263 for 60 minutes. SAFTI FIRST® supplied SuperLite® II-XL 60 insulated with Solarban 70XL in GPX® Curtain Wall Framing in a continuous span from the seventh to the tenth floors.
Chicago Starbucks Reserve Turns Stair-Climbing Into Unforgettable Experience Using Fire Rated Glass
SAFTI FIRST
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago features an incredible, 4-story mural by local artist Eulojio Ortega. The mural, brilliant for conveying the story as visitors go from floor to floor, is interestingly located in an exit stairwell. Traditionally, stairwells are enclosed in opaque walls, leaving them dark, isolated, and rarely utilized unless in an emergency. To allow the mural to be visible through multiple floors, encourage stair usage and meet fire rated code requirements, the architects redesigned the 2- hour stairwell using transparent, floor-to-ceiling butt-glazed glass walls with the largest tested and listed fire resistive glass panels available.
Cincinnati Art Museum Renovation Features Transparent Stairwell
SAFTI FIRST
When the Cincinnati Art Museum embarked on an $11 million renovation, the architects wanted the entrance and main stair to be as inviting as possible. Transparent, fire rated glazing from SAFTI FIRST® was a key component of the design solution. To maximize the vision area in door itself, SuperLite® II-XL 60 in GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise full-lite doors. In some of the stairwell doors in less prominent locations, SAFTI FIRST® provided SuperLite® X-90 for the vision panels under 100 sq. inches.
Clear, Fire Resistive Butt-Glazed Walls Create Transparent, Connected and Code-compliant Stairwell
SAFTI FIRST
The University of Wisconsin School of Business Grainger Hall’s east and west wings are now linked by a state-of-the-art Learning Commons that encourages collaboration through technology and design. To achieve maximum transparency while meeting code requirements, the architects specified 9 ft. tall, clear, fire resistive butt-glazed walls using SuperLite® II-XLM in GPX® Architectural Series perimeter framing.
Enhancing the #TargetRun with Oversized Fire Resistive Butt-Glazed Glass Walls
SAFTI FIRST
Who hasn’t uttered the words or at least heard of a “Target run”? What started out as a marketing campaign to get more foot traffic in their brick and mortar stores has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. Aside from being a call-to-action, #TargetRun is a trending hashtag used by shoppers to share their in-store shopping experience on social media.
Fire Rated Curtain Wall Performance in Dramatic Weather Conditions
SAFTI FIRST
As far as extreme environments go, Wisconsin has some of the most dramatic in North America. During the winter months, temperatures regularly dip well below freezing, and in the summer months the temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit with significant humidity levels for extended periods of time. Given these dramatic weather conditions, the materials chosen for the building envelope should not only protect building occupants from the elements, but ensure their comfort as well.
Fire Rated Glass Adds Safety to Nanobioelectronics Clean Room
SAFTI FIRST
The Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering within the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro, North Carolina is a new 105,000 sf interdisciplinary research facility dedicated to academic and industrial research. To create an open, transparent lab design, SAFTI FIRST® provided SuperLite® II-XL 60 in GPX® Architectural Series Frames for the 60 minute walls.
Fire Rated Glass Brings Whimsical and Reliable Protection at Children’s Hospital
SAFTI FIRST
One of the highlights of the SUNY University Hospital’s vertical expansion is the addition of the Golisano Children’s Hospital on the top two floors of the six-story addition. Since the project added new floors, stairwell enclosures were also added. Traditionally, stairwells are relegated to the back of the building, and are usually closed-off, dimly lit and seldom used. Today, stairwells are becoming a prominent design feature and their use is encouraged more and more for the health benefits that stair climbing provides.
Fire Rated Glass Contributes to Salt Lake City Public Safety Building’s Sustainable and Resilient Design Goals
SAFTI FIRST
The Salt Lake City Public Safety Building in Utah is the first U.S. Public Safety Building to achieve both a net-zero rating and LEED Platinum status and designed to survive a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and remain fully functional afterwards. This ensures that the city’s emergency operations center can survive and help the city recover in the event of an earthquake or a similar disaster. Fire rated glass contributes to achieving sustainable design goals by maximizing daylight penetration deep within a building and shared artificial lighting between spaces. It also ensures that occupants can exit the building safely in the event of an earthquake, which can damage sprinkler systems and render them ineffective.
Fire Rated Glass Helps SFPUC Building Achieve LEED Platinum
SAFTI FIRST
The new San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Headquarters combines maximum daylighting and fire safety with a multi-story, fire rated glass stairwell from SAFTI FIRST. Dubbed as the "greenest building in North America," this Class A LEED Platinum office building features a transparent, 2-hour fire rated stairwell, situated prominently near the main entrance. SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 120 in GPX Architectural Series Wall Framing and SuperLite II-XL 90 in GPX Builders Series Temperature Rise Door starting from the lobby all the way to the topmost floor.
Fire Rated Glass Provides Privacy, Daylight at Ridgewood High
SAFTI FIRST
For a recent renovation of a stairwell and exit corridors at Ridgewood High School in Illinois, the design team specified SuperLite® II-XL 60 in GPX® Architectural Series Framing for its optical clarity, storefront-like appearance, and high STC ratings. In order to meet the code requirements and maximize the daylight penetrating into the building, the architects decided to use fire rated glass in the one-hour exit corridor. Because the glazing exceeds 25% of the wall area, fire resistive glass and framing assemblies rated equal to the wall had to be used.
Fire Rated Glass Transforms Retail Parking Garage with Natural Light and Vision
SAFTI FIRST
Traditional parking garage designs used to have opaque fire rated building materials like concrete, masonry and drywall which made these spaces dark, cold and uninviting. That all changed, thanks to the emergence of new technology, clear, fire resistive glazing tested to ULC/CAN S101 up to 2 hours that are available in large sizes and low-iron glass make-ups with high visible light transmission for superior clarity and color neutrality.
Fire Rated Glazing Adds Visual Appeal to Parking Garages
SAFTI FIRST
Codes required fire wall separations between parking garages and businesses, markets, homes and other uses. Architects can replace entire walls with glass to open up buildings like never before. For example, SuperLite® II-XL in GPX® Architectural Series Framing by SAFTI FIRST® is a USA-made fire resistive transparent wall system that blocks radiant heat and meets the same stringent ASTM E-119/ UL 263/ NFPA 251 code requirements that any opaque fire rated wall must meet.
Fire Rated Glazing Gets Visitors ‘In the Spirit’ of Historic Bourbon Distillery
SAFTI FIRST
As America celebrated National Bourbon Day on June 14, downtown Louisville also celebrated the highly anticipated grand opening of the Old Forester Distillery. This event is also touted as a triumphant return of America’s first bottled bourbon in continuous production by the same family before, during, and after Prohibition to Whiskey Row. See how SAFTI FIRST®’s fire rated glass walls helped create an immersive visitor center with a fully operational distillery, cooperage and bottling line.
Fire Rated Glazing Helps Achieve Unobstructed, Floor-to-Ceiling Views in 2-Hour Atrium Wall
SAFTI FIRST
There is a growing trend in office space design that favors increased opportunities for connectivity and collaboration among its occupants. In buildings with multiple floors, this can be a challenge as the vertical separation between floors makes face-to-face encounters less likely to happen. One way to get around this is by incorporating an atrium. See how fire rated glass helped the designers meet the fire rated requirements for this atrium while providing clear, unobstructed views.
Fire Rated Glazing Helps Historic University Preserve its Past
SAFTI FIRST
The new Robert B. Aikens Commons at the University of Michigan Law School was built on an unused grassy courtyard between Hutchins Hall and the legal research building. The proximity of the new common area to historic Hutchins Hall posed a unique challenge. The building code required a 2 hour fire rated barrier between them. The architects specified SuperLite® II-XL 120, a clear, fire resistive glazing product that meets the ASTM E-119 wall standard for up to 2 hours.
Fire Rated Security Glass at Plaquemines Parish Detention Center
SAFTI FIRST
Plaquemines Parish Detention Center was one of the major structures devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In rebuilding, designers L. R. Kimball looked for an all-in-one clear, wire-free glazing solution that protects against fire, bullets and forced entry. SAFTI FIRST® supplied a complete single-source tested and listed assembly that was easy to install and maintenance-free.
Fire Rated Switchable Glass Provides Privacy and Fire Protection at the University of Chicago Medical Center
SAFTI FIRST
The new 10-story “Center for Care and Discovery” building in the University of Chicago Medical Center’s campus is dubbed as the “hospital of the future” for its high-tech design and groundbreaking scientific work. At 1.2 million square feet, it is one of the largest buildings at the campus and has already transformed the skyline of Chicago’s south side.
Fire Resistive Blast and Ballistic Glass Walls in High Security Facilities
SAFTI FIRST
A building’s design is very much influenced by the function it performs and the perceived threats that it may face – whether it’s from natural disasters, accidents or terrorist attacks – with the latter being a foremost concern for federal courthouses, embassies, government facilities and other high profile buildings. Because of these security concerns, trade-offs have been made when it comes to daylighting, energy efficiency and aesthetics to name a few. The good news is that today, high-performance security glazing make-ups are available to meet the level of protection needed while continuing to provide natural light and a feeling of openness.
Fire Resistive Curtain Wall at Aspen Art Museum
SAFTI FIRST
Designed by Pritzker prize winning architect Shigeru Ban, the brand new 33,000 sf Aspen Art Museum boasts large exterior glass walls designed to keep the visitors engaged with views of the beautiful Aspen landscape. SAFTI FIRST®’s engineering team provided design assistance and supplied a 2 hour fire resistive curtain wall with SuperLite® II-XL 120 with Starphire Ultra-Clear Glass insulated with Viracon VE13-85 in GPX® Curtain Wall Framing. A woven screen encloses the glass curtain wall to provide shading from direct sunlight.
Fire Resistive Curtain Wall at NYC Midtown Community Court
SAFTI FIRST
The 1890s-era Midtown Community Court in New York City—a New York Historic Landmark—is currently undergoing a five year, $18 million renovation that includes a 9,650-square-foot addition for a new elevator, lobby and stairwell featuring fire resistive glass and curtain wall. The system consists of SAFTI FIRST®’s SuperLite® II-XL 120 IGU in GPX® Curtain Wall System.
Fire Resistive Curtain Wall Helps Hospital Meet Fire and Seismic Requirements
SAFTI FIRST
Ratcliff was chosen as the architect to design the new three-story, 60,000 square foot San Jose Downtown Health Center that includes urgent care for adults and children, primary care for pediatric, OB/GYN and family medicine, behavioral health services, laboratory, pharmacy and radiology departments. Their design takes advantage of glazing’s ability to draw natural light from the outdoors to create a warm, pleasing atmosphere that promotes healing. Part of the hospital’s exterior curtain wall had to be fire rated for one hour and meet seismic requirements per SB 1953 as well.
Fire Resistive Glass Floors Make a Dramatic Statement in Nashville’s Historic Neighborhood
SAFTI FIRST
SAFTI FIRST® became aware of the new 21c Museum Hotel project when the design team called looking for an economical option for a unique fire rated application for a boutique hotel in Nashville’s historical Printers Alley neighborhood. The design featured a glass floor on the 2nd level that would also act as a light well. In order to comply with fire rated code requirements, the transparent floor needed to meet a 1-hour fire resistive rating.
Fire Resistive Glass Opens New Doors for Adaptive Reuse Project
SAFTI FIRST
Adaptive reuse, or the process of taking an old building or structure and repurposing it for something other than what it was originally designed for, has gained a lot traction with developers and architects alike – and for many good reasons. For one thing, it is more economical and sustainable to work with an existing structure than to demolish an old building, clean up the site, and rebuild with entirely new materials. It also helps preserve historical structures that add character to the community, as well as reduce urban sprawl. For the multifamily sector, we’ve seen adaptive reuse applied to old schools, government buildings, warehouses, etc. because these structures are usually centrally located in many downtown areas.
Fire Resistive Transparent Walls Transform Stairwells and Exits to Inviting, Light-filled Spaces
SAFTI FIRST
To preserve the building’s open design and to extend natural light further in the building, the architects incorporated fire resistive glazing in the areas that required a 2-hour fire rating, particularly in the stairwells and exit passageways at the new Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design.
Florida Condos Install Fire and Hurricane Rated Glass Wall Assemblies
SAFTI FIRST
SAFTI FIRST® developed, engineered and successfully tested the first-ever fire and hurricane rated assembly for the Las Olas Beach Club and Condominium, a luxurious multi-family residence in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The architect wanted to design the units with as much glazing as possible so residents can enjoy views of the surrounding area from their homes.
Glass Curtain Wall Lets Light In and Keeps Fire Out
SAFTI FIRST
Prairie Hills Junior High School's south-facing elevation features a glazed aluminum curtain wall that incorporates PPG Solarblue and PPG Solarban 60 glazing. Parts of the curtain wall had to meet a two-hour rating because it was adjacent to a two-hour block wall through the building's interior. SAFTI FIRST® supplied SuperLite® II-XL 120 IGU in GPX® Curtain Wall Framing in order to meet ASTM E-119/NFPA 251/UL263 requirements.
Glazing Offers a Fire and Hurricane Rated Solution for US Veterans
SAFTI FIRST
The new Orlando VA Medical Center needed glazing that would not only provide light and transparency, but fire and hurricane protection and improved energy performance. SuperLite® II-XL in GPX® Hurricane Framing from SAFTI FIRST® was installed in exterior fire-rated locations that were exposed to the elements. These assemblies were rigorously tested and certified for fire and radiant heat protection for up to two hours, large missile impact, air and water infiltration, and cyclic wind loading.
GPX® Framing with Sunshade Connectors at Doolittle BART Station
SAFTI FIRST
For BART's Doolittle Maintenance Facility at the new Oakland Airport connector, SAFTI FIRST® provided 60 minute, fire resistive wall openings in the exterior using SuperLite® II-XL 60 insulated with low-e glazing in GPX® Framing with a clear anodized finish. SAFTI FIRST® engineered a connection that allows the structural elements of the GPX® Architectural Series Framing System to support an integral sunshade system, instead of being hung in front of it. The Doolittle Bart Station is one of the first installations of the GPX® Architectural Series System with sunshade connections, which also include SLCC New Instruction and Administrative Building in Salt Lake City, UT.
Light-Filled Transit Center Receives Honor with the Help of Fire Resistive Butt-Glazed Glass Walls
SAFTI FIRST
Bringing the outside in was an important design element for the newly opened BART Milpitas Transit Center. ASTM E-119/UL 263/CAN ULC S101 rated, fire resistive SuperLite® II-XLB 60 butt-glazed walls were used for the 1 hour light wells to allow abundant natural light to flow vertically and horizontally through two levels – from the entrance/ticketing level and all the way down to the tracks where the train cars are.
Medical Center Maximizes Natural Daylight with Fire Rated Glass
SAFTI FIRST
Central to the new UC Davis Medical Center Surgery and Emergency Services Pavilion's design was a large skylight that allows natural light to vertically flow into the atrium area and other light wells throughout the building. However, they also wanted to let light flow horizontally into the adjacent hallways, rooms, etc. Because the walls in the atrium and light wells have to meet a 2-hour rating, Stantec Architects approached SAFTI FIRST® for a solution. Large portions of the 2 hour atrium and light well walls were made “transparent” with the use of SuperLite® II-XL 120 in GPX® Framing.
New 45 Minute Fire Rated Glass Makes Visual Connectivity Possible, Beautiful and Affordable at Campus Housing
SAFTI FIRST
The design limitations of fire rated ceramic glass have finally given way to a revolutionary new product like SuperClear® 45-HS-LI, a truly clear 45 minute fire rated glass that meets all fire, safety and hose stream requirements at a fraction of the price of ceramics. See how the design team at EYP used SuperClear® 45-HS-LI to their advantage at the 1,197-bed Quad on the University of Houston campus.
Showing 1-36 of 44