How Can Fire-Rated Glass Solutions Be Planned For Airport Terminal Projects?

Airport terminals need to accommodate large passenger flows, complex operations and demanding safety requirements. Fire-rated glass can help provide fire separation while preserving sightlines and daylight, but it is not a standalone product choice: its performance depends on the tested glazing assembly, the surrounding construction and the projects applicable codes.

The following planning framework is intended for airport owners, architects, fire protection engineers, contractors and glazing specialists. It is not a substitute for a project-specific code analysis or approval by the relevant authorities.

Start with the fire strategy and applicable codes

Before selecting glass or doors, establish the projects fire and life-safety strategy. Confirm:

• The codes and standards adopted by the jurisdiction, including applicable amendments and approval procedures.
• The required fire-resistance or fire-protection performance for each boundary.
• Whether the boundary must resist fire, limit heat transfer, control smoke, or meet more than one of these objectives.
• How the boundary relates to compartments, protected routes, exit access and other life-safety systems.
• Any operational, security or phasing constraints specific to the airport.

Terminology and ratings differ between jurisdictions. For example, North American projects may refer to standards such as ASTM E119 or UL 263 for fire-resistance-rated construction, and NFPA 252 or NFPA 257 for certain door and window assemblies. In jurisdictions using European standards, relevant test and classification documents may include EN 1364, EN 1634 and EN 13501. These references are examples, not a universal specification: the design team should confirm which current editions and classifications are accepted locally.

Do not assume that a stated number of minutes means the same thing for every product or test. A glazing systems permitted use depends on its tested classification and listing, including whether it provides integrity only or also insulation, and on the requirements of the specific fire barrier.

Map terminal zones and boundaries

Create a coordinated plan showing the fire-separation boundaries and the areas they divide. Consider each zones use, occupancy, circulation and operational risks rather than assigning glazing by room name alone.

Typical areas to review include:

• Public circulation and concourses: Maintain clear routes and avoid placing doors, queues or furniture where they obstruct required egress.
• Check-in and security areas: Coordinate fire separation with screening layouts, queuing, access control and operational procedures.
• Lounges, gates and waiting areas: Consider occupant loads, evacuation routes, visibility and the relationship to adjoining spaces.
• Baggage handling and service areas: Review equipment, storage, access and any project-specific fire hazards with the fire protection team.
• Back-of-house and staff areas: Coordinate rated enclosures with service routes, restricted access and maintenance needs.
• Connections to other buildings or terminal sections: Confirm how fire compartments and exit routes continue across interfaces and expansion joints.

The fire strategy should identify where a glazed screen or door is required and what it must achieve. A transparent partition is not automatically an acceptable substitute for a rated wall.

Select complete, tested assembliesnot glass alone

Fire performance applies to an assembly, not simply to the glass pane. A system may include the glazing, frame, seals, fixings, setting blocks, door leaf, hinges, closer, latch and supporting construction. Changing one component or its installation can take the assembly outside its tested or approved configuration.

For each proposed location, confirm:

• The required classification and permitted application.
• The maximum tested or approved dimensions and configuration.
• The compatible frame, seals, glazing beads and fixings.
• Whether the system is suitable for the supporting wall and its expected movement.
• Any restrictions on mullions, corners, joints, transoms or adjacent non-rated construction.
• The installation details and inspection requirements.

Large glazed areas deserve early review. Maximum panel sizes, support conditions, deflection, edge clearances and interface details may limit the design. Where the proposed dimensions or configuration fall outside the tested evidence, obtain an accepted engineering assessment or an alternative approved solution before tender or construction.

Coordinate doors, access and passenger movement

Fire-rated glass doors must meet both the fire strategy and the operational needs of the terminal. Door locations, clear openings, swing direction and hardware should be checked against the approved egress design and accessibility requirements.

Coordinate fire-rated doors with:

• Required exit capacity and unobstructed escape routes.
• Self-closing and latching requirements, where applicable.
• Access-control and security systems, including their behavior during alarms or power loss.
• Panic or emergency-release hardware, where required.
• Automatic operators and the doors listed or approved configuration.
• Inspection, testing and maintenance arrangements.

Do not assume that every fire-rated door is smoke-tight or that a fire-rated glass system controls smoke. If smoke control is required, specify and verify that performance separately. Likewise, fire-rated glazing should not be described as providing impact, ballistic or security resistance unless the selected assembly has the relevant evidence for those functions.

Coordinate with structure and building services

Glazed fire separations often meet ceilings, floors, columns, faades, canopies and building services. Resolve these interfaces in the coordinated design rather than leaving them to site interpretation.

Review:

• Structural movement, deflection and seismic requirements.
• Perimeter seals and fire-stopping at the junction with adjacent construction.
• Penetrations, access panels and service routes through or beside the boundary.
• Interactions with sprinklers, smoke control, detection, alarms and ventilation.
• Lighting, signage and wayfinding that could affect the assembly or obscure visibility.
• Cleaning access, maintenance access and replacement procedures.

A fire-rated partitions performance can be undermined by an unprotected gap or incompatible service penetration. The responsible design disciplines should document how each boundary remains continuous.

Prepare a clear tender and approval package

Tender documents should make the required performance and scope verifiable. Include, as appropriate:

1. Fire strategy and code basis: The applicable regulations, design assumptions, boundary plans and required classifications.
2. Schedules: Each glazed screen and door identified by location, dimensions, performance and intended function.
3. Drawings and details: Plans, elevations, sections, framing interfaces, perimeter conditions, opening dimensions and transitions to adjacent construction.
4. System evidence: Current test reports, listings, classifications or other evidence accepted by the authority having jurisdiction, covering the proposed assembly and its intended application.
5. Hardware and accessories: Compatible hardware schedules, access-control interfaces and door operation requirements.
6. Installation requirements: Approved methods, tolerances, substrate requirements, perimeter sealing and restrictions on substitutions.
7. Inspection and quality controls: Submittal reviews, installation inspections, records and commissioning or acceptance testing where required.
8. Maintenance information: Inspection intervals and procedures, particularly for doors, closers, latches and access-control interfaces.
9. Project constraints: Phasing, security procedures, airport operating hours, temporary protection and work-area access.

The package should state that substitutions require review and approval before installation. A product with a similar appearance or nominal rating is not necessarily interchangeable with the specified tested system.

Establish responsibilities early

Assign responsibility for the fire strategy, code interpretation, system selection, shop-drawing review and installation verification. The architect, fire protection engineer, life-safety consultant, structural and services engineers, contractor, glazing supplier and airport operator should resolve interfaces before procurement.

A practical review sequence is:

1. Confirm the code basis and required boundaries.
2. Select assemblies supported by appropriate evidence.
3. Check dimensions, interfaces and operational requirements.
4. Review coordinated shop drawings and submittals.
5. Inspect installation against the approved details.
6. Record approvals, test evidence and maintenance information for handover.

Conclusion

Fire-rated glass can support safe, legible and welcoming airport spaces when it is planned as part of the fire strategynot treated as a decorative finish with a rating attached. The design team should define the required performance for each boundary, select a complete approved assembly, coordinate doors and building services, and document installation and maintenance requirements.

Because codes, classifications and approval pathways vary by jurisdiction, final selections must be checked against the projects adopted requirements and accepted by the relevant authority. Early coordination helps preserve the architectural benefits of glazing without compromising fire separation, passenger movement or operational needs.