About SAFTi FIRST
Tim Nass, VP of sales
Tim Nass has over 25 years of experience in the architectural glazing industry. As the Vice President of National Sales at SAFTI FIRST, he brings his extensive knowledge and expertise when working closely with architects and contract glaziers. Tim also oversees SAFTI FIRST’s national network of architectural sales representatives and has been delivering our AIA-registered presentation for over 5 years to various architecture firms, AIA local chapters, CSI local chapters, at the CSI National Convention and other glazing industry events throughout US and Canada.
michelle murray, architectural sales representative
Michelle Murray has over 15 years of experience in the architectural glazing industry. As the Architectural Sales Representative at SAFTI FIRST, she brings her extensive knowledge and expertise of fire rated glazing systems and fenestration in general when working closely with architects, specifiers, glazing contractors and code officials. Michelle is a dynamic presenter and speaker who has been delivering the company’s AIA-registered presentation to various architecture firms, AIA local chapters, CSI local chapters, and at other architectural and glazing industry events.
SAFTI FIRST is the leading vertically integrated, single-source, fire rated glass and framing manufacturer in the USA. With over 40 years of manufacturing experience, we provide our customers with high quality fire rated doors, openings, storefronts, curtain walls and floors up to 2 hours.
Listed and labeled by Underwriters Laboratories and Intertek, our products are tested and certified to meet the most stringent fire and safety test standards with the largest clear views in the industry. This offers designers unlimited design flexibility with maximum protection.
How does SAFTI FIRST address the needs of educational facilities?
Incorporating glass in educational facilities boosts productivity, enhances safety and security, and elevates design. Architects are turning to fire rated glass for corridors, stairwells, and exteriors. This innovative material not only meets code requirements but also promotes natural surveillance, reduces the risk of bullying, and supports wellness by bringing light and transparency into critical areas.
Preconstruction Services from safti first
We are pleased to provide our Preconstruction Services to general contractors, construction managers, project owners, consultants and all other stakeholders in the building construction team. Through our Preconstruction Services Division, SAFTI FIRST can assist by providing support through product recommendations, specifications, detailing and budgeting to ensure that the fire rated scope contributes positively to the construction team's overall goal.
what is Fire rated glass?
Fire rated glass is designed to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and radiant heat for a specified duration, typically ranging from 20-minutes to 3-hours. It undergoes rigorous testing, including the fire endurance test and the hose stream test.
Fire Endurance Test
Determines the time a glazing product can withstand fire and extreme heat (up to 1900°F+).
The glazing is required to remain in frame with no through openings which permit passage of flame. Typical ratings are 20-minutes to 3-hours. Fire resistance rated glazing must also limit temperature rise to average of 250°F and an individual point temp rise of 325°F.
Hose Stream Test
After the fire endurance test, water is delivered via hose stream from 20 feet away at 30 psi. ASTM E119 and UL 263 require no glazing loss, NFPA 257 allows for 30% separation of glazing around the perimeter and 5% loss at center. Most, not all, fire rated glazing applications require a hose stream test.
Largest Sizes
Project: The Warehouse on 520 W 20th St in New York, NY
Architect: Morris Adjmi Architects
Glazier: Vision Walls
Products: SuperLite II-XLB 120 with Starphire Ultra-Clear + argon fill + Starphire Ultra-Clear Solarban 60 Lami in GPX Architectural Series Perimeter Framing
Butt-Glazed
Project: Target Store Lower East Side in New York, NY
Architect: Sargenti Architects
Glazier: Action Storefronts
Products: SuperLite II-XLB 60-120 Butt-Glazed Walls in GPX Architectural Series Fire Resistive Framing with SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Builders Series Temperature Rise Door
Featured projects
Below are some notable projects SAFTI FIRST has completed in the higher education market segment.
01. Purdue university engineering and polytechnic gateway
west lafayette, in
- Architect: BSA LifeStructures
- Glazier: Central Indiana Glass
- Products: SuperLite II-XL 90 in GPX Builders Series Temperature Rise Doors with Aluminum Clad and SuperLite II-XL 120 in GPX Architectural Series Fire Resistive Framing
In designing the new Dudley and Lambertus Halls at Purdue University, BSA LifeStructures used clear fire rated glazing to create open and inviting 2-hour stairwells. Incorporating transparency in these fire rated locations also provided safety and security, encouraging everyday use.
02. UC merced
merced, ca
- Architect: SOM
- Glazier: Royal Glass
- Products: SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Builders Series Temperature Rise Doors; SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Architectural Series Fire Resistive Wall; SuperLite II-XL 120 in GPX Architectural Series Fire Resistive Framing
The Merced 2020 Project, an ambitious, $1.2B, extensive expansion of the UC Merced campus, is “the largest public-private partnership social infrastructure project completed in U.S. history,” according to the university’s website. This includes new facilities used for academic, administration, laboratories, housing and recreation. This was truly exciting, and it struck a chord with SAFTI FIRST because Merced is home to our manufacturing facilities.
03. the quad at the University of Houston
houston, tx
- Architect: EYP
- Glazier: Haley-Greer Inc.
- Products: SuperClear 45-HS-LI (patented) in GPX Architectural Series Frames and GPX Builders Series Fire Protective Doors
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.
04. Harvard Business School Klarman Hall
boston, ma
- Architect: William Rawn and Associates
- General Contractor: Walsh Brothers Construction
- Glazier: The Cheviot Corporation
- Products: SuperLite II-XL 120 with Starphire Ultra-Clear glass in GPX Curtain Wall Framing; SuperLite II-XL 90 with Starphire Ultra-Clear glass in GPX Architectural Series Aluminum Doors.
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.
05. University of wisconsin school of business learning commons
madison, wi
- Architect: Potter Lawson and MSR
- General Contractor: Miron Construction
- Glazier: Omni Glass & Paint
- Products: Clear, Fire Resistive Butt-Glazed Walls for the Stairwell with SuperLite II-XLM with GPX Architectural Series Perimeter Framing (Walls) and GPX Architectural Series Doors with SuperLite II-XL
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