SINGLE GLAZED FIRE RATED GLASS PARTITION
A single glazed fire rated glass partition uses one unit of fire-rated glazing held within a tested frame to hold back flames, smoke and heat for a set period of time. These systems keep a bright, open feel inside a building while creating a barrier that helps contain a fire to the room it started in. Ratings usually run from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes, so the partition can be matched to whatever the building regulations and fire strategy call for. At Aluminium Fire Systems we manufacture and supply single glazed fire rated glass partitions in aluminium frames, tested and certified across the EI30 to EI120 range
What Is a Single Fire Rated Glass Partition?
A single fire rated glass partition is a glazed screen built from a single glazed unit or SGU of specialist fire-rated glass set into a fire-tested frame. Unlike standard glazing, the glass is not simply toughened. True fire-rated glazing is an assembly of layers, often including intumescent interlayers that react to heat by expanding and turning opaque to block flames and slow the transfer of heat.
The word single refers to the glazing, not the partition itself. A single glazed system carries one unit of fire glass per opening, while a double glazed system carries two. Single glazed partitions are a popular choice for internal use where features such as slim, lightweight are important. These units provide a clear line of sight regardless of the thickness.
What makes the partition work is the whole system rather than the glass alone. The glass, frame, seals and fixings are tested and certified together as one unit. A unit of fire glass fitted into an untested frame does not give you a certified fire rated glass partition, which is why buying a complete tested system matters. You can read more about what fire rated glass actually is and how it differs from ordinary glass.
Single Glazed vs Double Glazed Fire Rated Partitions
The main difference between single and double glazed fire rated partitions is the number of panes and what each format is built to do.
A single glazed partition uses one unit of fire-rated glass. It tends to be slimmer, lighter and lets through plenty of natural light, which suits offices, meeting rooms and internal screens where the priority is fire compartmentation without losing daylight.
A double glazed partition uses two units. The extra panes and internal chambers can improve acoustic performance and are often specified where noise control or higher insulation is important. Double glazed units are generally thicker and heavier as a result.
Both formats can carry the same fire ratings depending on the system. For many internal applications a single glazed fire rated glass partition gives the right balance of safety, sightlines and cost, which is why it is such a common specification.
30 Minute and 60 Minute Single Fire Rated Glass Partition Options
Fire ratings are written as a letter code followed by a number. The letters describe the type of protection and the number is the time in minutes the system holds back fire under test conditions. E covers integrity, which means flames and smoke. EI covers integrity and insulation, which means flames, smoke and the radiant heat that passes through the glass.
30 Minute Fire Rated Glass Partition
A 30 minute fire rated glass partition is the usual starting point for internal fire compartmentation. An EI30 partition holds back flames, smoke and radiant heat for up to 30 minutes, which is enough for many protected corridors, lobbies and internal screens. You can read more about what an EI 30 fire rating involves and how it is tested.
60 Minute Fire Rated Glass Partition
A 60 minute fire rated glass partition steps the protection up to a full hour. An EI60 system holds back flames, smoke and heat transfer for up to 60 minutes, which is often required where escape routes need longer protection or where the fire strategy calls for it. More detail on this rating is available on our EI 60 fire rating page.
Higher ratings are also available. Our fire rated glass partitions range covers EI30, EI60, EI90 and EI120, so the partition can be matched to the exact requirement of the project. The aluminium MB-78EI system is used for internal and external partitions across the EI30 to EI90 range and is classified as non-fire propagating, while the MB-118EI system is used where an EI120 partition is needed.
Single Fire Rated Glass Partition Thickness
The thickness of a single fire rated glass partition depends on the rating and the specific system. As a general rule a higher rating uses a thicker glass build-up, because more material is needed to hold back heat for longer.
Across the industry, single glazed 30 minute fire-rated glass is often supplied in slimmer build-ups, while 60 minute single glazed units tend to use thicker laminated assemblies to achieve the insulation performance. Exact thicknesses vary between manufacturers and tested systems, so the figure should always be taken from the specification for the certified product rather than a general guide.
- Our EI30 single glazed glass units start from 15mm thick.
- EI60 SGU’s start from 25mm thickness.
- EI90 SGU’s are 35mm.
E vs EI: Why Insulation Matters
Not all fire-rated glass is the same. An E rated partition stops flames and smoke but does little to stop the heat radiating through. That heat can be strong enough to make an escape route too hot to use, or even to ignite materials on the other side of the glass without any direct contact with flames.
An EI rated partition adds insulation. It contains the flames, the smoke and the radiant heat, which keeps escape routes usable and gives people more time to get out safely. For most internal applications that form part of a building’s fire strategy, EI is the specification you want. We supply EI rated systems as standard, and you can read more about the difference between E and EI rated glass and why it matters.
Where Single Fire Rated Glass Partitions Are Used
Single glazed fire rated glass partitions are used internally where buildings want to divide sections into fire compartments without blocking light or sightlines. Common applications include open-plan offices, meeting rooms, schools, hospitals and public buildings, where the partition creates a clear zone such as a corridor or escape route while keeping the fire contained if one breaks out.
They also have a place in fire rated glass partition residential projects, particularly in larger homes and apartment buildings where a glazed screen needs to meet fire safety requirements. Alongside partitions, many projects pair glazed screens with matching fire rated aluminium doors so the whole compartment is protected to the same standard.
COST
Single Fire Rated Glass Partition Price and Cost
There is no single fixed price for a fire rated glass partition because the cost depends on the rating, the size, the number of openings and whether doors are included. A 30 minute single glazed screen will sit at a different point on the cost scale to a 120 minute system due to the higher fire performance.
Because we manufacture in the UK and sell direct, you are buying from the people who make the product rather than through a chain of middlemen, which helps keep pricing competitive. The most accurate way to get a single fire rated glass partition price for your project is to send through the rating, the dimensions and a drawing or brief, and we will work the right specification and cost back from there. You can speak to the Aluminium Fire Systems team or call (+44) 121 277 4870 to discuss your requirements.
Compliance and Certification
A fire rated glass partition is only as good as the evidence behind it. Genuine fire-rated glass carries a permanent stamp or etching, usually in a corner, showing the manufacturer, the testing standard and the rating such as EI 60. Fire-rated glazing is classified to BS EN 13501-2, with non-loadbearing glazed elements tested under BS EN 1364-1, and the requirements for fire-resisting glazing are set out in Approved Document B of the Building Regulations.
On completion of every project we issue a full Aluminium Fire Systems compliance pack, which includes the technical specifications, test certificates and a signed agreement to prove the products meet the required classification. That paperwork is what you hand to a building control officer, an insurer or a fire risk assessor when they ask for proof.
Why Choose Aluminium Fire Systems
We are a UK specialist focused on fire rated windows, doors and double and single glazed fire rated glass partitions, not a general glazing firm with fire-rated products on the side.
Our fire rated glass partitions are manufactured in the UK and supplied direct, which keeps lead times short and pricing fair. Every system is tested and certified as a complete unit, and every project leaves with a full compliance pack so the evidence is never in question. We work across the EI30 to EI120 range, so whether a project needs a 30 minute single glazed screen or a 120 minute system, the right specification is available. You can view the full Aluminium Fire Systems range of fire rated products to see how the partitions sit alongside our windows and doors.
To talk through a project or request a quote, contact Aluminium Fire Systems today.
FAQs
Single Glazed Fire Rated Glass Partition FAQs
What is a single fire rated glass partition?
It is a glazed fire-resisting screen built from one glass unit of specialist fire-rated glass set into a tested frame. The single in the name refers to the glazing, meaning one fire rated unit per opening rather than multiple. The complete system holds back flames, smoke and heat for a set period such as 30 or 60 minutes.
What is the difference between single glazed and double glazed fire rated partitions?
A single glazed partition uses one unit of fire-rated glass and tends to be slimmer and lighter. A double glazed partition uses two units and is used in external settings, this can improve acoustic performance and is often chosen where noise control matters. Both can achieve the same fire ratings depending on the system.
How thick is a single fire rated glass partition?
The thickness depends on the rating and the system, with higher ratings generally using thicker glass to hold back heat for longer. Single glazed 30 minute units are usually slimmer than 60 minute units, which tend to use thicker laminated build-ups, although exact figures vary between systems. Always take the thickness from the specification of the certified product.
Can a single fire rated glass partition be used in a home?
Yes. Single fire rated glass partitions are used in residential projects as well as commercial buildings, particularly in larger homes and apartment buildings where a glazed screen needs to meet fire safety requirements while keeping spaces light and open.
What does EI mean on a fire rated glass partition?
EI stands for integrity and insulation. Integrity is the ability to hold back flames and smoke, while insulation is the ability to hold back radiant heat. An EI rated partition does both, which is why it is the usual specification for internal fire compartmentation.
How much does a single fire rated glass partition cost?
The cost depends on the rating, the size, the number of openings and whether doors are included, so there is no single fixed price. Because we manufacture in the UK and sell direct, the best way to get an accurate cost is to send through your requirements and we will quote against the right specification
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
We are proud of the feedback we receive from our trade clients across the West Midlands region.
“From 1st point of contact through to the end, very responsive, could answer every question we had, answered any query straight away, always helpful and on time with delivery. Concluding with a fixing pack in a box with everything to make fitting quick and easy. Spot on.” – Richard Fairclough, GoldSeal
“Fantastic service, great products, great communication, always on time.” – Stuart Bidwell, Ridstock Home Improvements
CONTACT
Your Partner for SINGLE GLAZED Fire Rated Glass PARTITIONS
At Aluminium Fire Systems (AFS), we are committed to delivering fire rated glass partitions and glazing products that offer peace of mind. By strictly following the PRINCE2 process, we ensure quality is maintained at every stage.
If you require a quote for the supply of fire rated windows and doors please contact our team today on (+44) 121 277 4870 or submit your project details via the form on our contact page.