Steel Fire-Rated Curtain Wall

Curtain wall for fire resistance

Offering transparency and maximum security, the forster  thermfix vario curtain wall meets all the international  requirements for fire, security and comfort, with  applications for low U-values, sound insulation, fire,  blast, ballistics and manual attack resistance.

Thanks to the outstanding structural properties of steel,  impressive field sizes are possible with the narrowest  profile face widths of just 45 mm. Windows and doors  (swing & sliding) from the forster range can be integrated  within the curtain wall system without compromising  the safety and performance features.

Curtain wall with  structural glazed design  for fire resistance

Traditionally, fire-rated facades utilize the stick method  of construction, with mullion/ transom spigots, dry-glazing  gaskets, pressure plates, and external Snap-On capping  to hold the fire-rated glass in place.

For architects that desire a clean, uncluttered appearance,  with a flush glass surface and a seamless interface  between the fire-rated and non-fire-rated glazing  elements, Forster has designed, tested and certified a  new structural glazed, fire-resistant facade, which can  achieve a fire rating of EI60.

The system utilizes the existing thermfix vario profiles  and gaskets, with the addition of new steel or stainless  steel toggles, and can be used internally or externally.

Technical data

Material variantsBlack box steel profiles
Galvanized steel or stainless steel grade 304 profiles
Stainless steel (fire) or aluminium (non-fire) pressure plates, aluminium or stainless steel cover caps Available profile depth: 45 and 60 mm
Fire resistance optionFixed partitions from EW30 to EW120 and from EI30 to EI120 in accordance with EN 1634-1 Facades from EW30 to EW120 in accordance with EN 1364-3
Structural glazed partitions / facades, EI60 in accordance with EN 1364-1
Fixed partitions, 1 and 2 hours insulated in accordance with UL 263 / ASTM E119
Fire code complianceEuropean and North American Standards NFPA 101
GCC civil defence approved via Forster fabricators
Tested design variants*Tested with single, double and triple glazed options Classification from CE-tests in accordance with EN 13830 Thermal insulation U-values up to 1.0 W/m2•K
Resistance to wind load, 3 kN safety load 4.5 kN in accordance with EN 12179 Water penetration, RE 1200 in accordance with EN 12155
Air permeability, AE (>600) in accordance with EN 12153 Sound insulation, Rw up to 50 dB, EN ISO 140-3
Impact resistance, E5 / l5 in accordance with EN 14019
Burglar resistance, RC2, RC3, (RC4) in accordance with EN 1627–1630 Ballistic resistance, FB4, FB6 & FB7 in accordance with EN 1522
Blast resistance, EPR1 in accordance with EN 13123-1
FittingsUL-listed hardware available
Door closers complete with in-house cycling testing Latch locks and lever handles
Unlatched systems available with pull handles Compatible with access control devices
System propertiesCan be used in conjunction with other forster systems, presto, fuego light and unico Extremely slender face widths
Impressive static values for large single span curtain walls Can be powder-coated or wet-painted
Large glass sizes available
Structural glazed options available for fire and non-fire applications Robust and resilient to damage
Environmental and sustainability credentialsEnvironmental Product Declaration (EPD) available, can apply online
High recycle content, project-specific declaration can be provided, on request
Country-specific approvals and requirements observed
*Refer to country-specific approvals