Alright, let’s talk about them fire rated glass bricks, you know, the ones they use in fancy buildings and such. I ain’t no expert, but I’ve seen enough to tell ya a thing or two.
What are these fire rated glass bricks, anyway?
Well, from what I gather, they’re special bricks made to keep fire from spreadin’. See, regular glass? It’ll just crack and shatter when things get hot. But these fire bricks? They’re tough. They can stand up to a whole lotta heat, like, hotter than your oven on self-clean, I reckon.
They call ’em “refractory” bricks sometimes, which sounds mighty fancy, but it just means they don’t melt or break down easy when things get fiery. They use ’em in fireplaces and furnaces too, not just windows and walls. Makes sense, right? You don’t want your fireplace fallin’ apart on ya!
Different kinds of fire bricks
Now, not all fire bricks are the same. Some are tougher than others. They got these ratings, like, “30-minute,” “60-minute,” and “90-minute.” That tells ya how long they can hold back the fire before they start givin’ way. The longer the time, the better it is, that’s what I think.
- 30-minute ones, they call ‘em EI30, are good for a little while.
- 60-minute ones (EI60), they give ya more time to get out if somethin’ happens.
- 90-minute ones? Well, those are the real tough guys. They give you the most protection.
They make these bricks by stickin’ layers of glass together with some kinda special stuff in between. The more layers they use, the stronger it gets and the longer it can hold back the fire and heat.
Why use fire rated glass bricks?
Well, first off, they’re safe. Nobody wants a fire spreadin’ like wildfire, right? These bricks keep the flames and smoke contained, givin’ people time to escape and firefighters time to get there. They make real good windows for stairwells and such, places where folks gotta get out in a hurry.
And they ain’t just for keepin’ the fire out. They also stop the heat from movin’ through. That’s important ‘cause heat can be just as dangerous as flames. It can cause things to burst into flames, and it can burn ya somethin’ awful. And, builders like ‘em ‘cause they meet all them buildin’ codes, so they don’t get in trouble with the inspectors.
Where to get fire rated glass bricks and how much do they cost?
I seen some places sellin’ these bricks. There’s this place called Quality Glass Block and Window, they got all sorts of ’em. Different sizes too, like 8x8x4 or 7.5×7.5×3. The prices? Well, they vary. Some are cheaper, like seven bucks or so, others are more expensive, forty or more. Depends on the size and how long they can hold back the fire.
My two cents
Look, I ain’t no fancy architect or engineer, but I know what’s safe and what ain’t. Fire is a scary thing, and you don’t want to mess with it. If you’re buildin’ somethin’ or fixin’ up a place, and you need to keep the fire out, these fire rated glass bricks seem like a good way to go. They ain’t cheap, but what’s a few extra dollars when you’re talkin’ about keepin’ folks safe? Just make sure you get the right ones, the ones that can hold back the fire long enough. And always, always follow the rules and do things right. Safety ain’t somethin’ to skimp on, that’s what I always say.
Now, I reckon that’s about all I know about them fire rated glass bricks. Hope it helps ya some.
Remember: Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to fire.
One more thing: Always listen to the experts. They know more than an old woman like me ever will.
Tags: [Fire Rated Glass, Fire Resistant, Safety Glass, Building Materials, Glass Blocks, Fire Protection, Refractory Bricks, EI30, EI60, EI90]
