In Sweden, fires cost the lives of about 120 people and between SEK 4 and 5 billion in property damage every year. Sound fire safety solutions are critical to reduce the consequence of a fire. SSC spearheads product development in this field. The company’s new glass partitions fulfil fire-resistant categories E 60 and EI 60 requirements, which means the glass prevents flames from spreading for at least 60 minutes.

“This is one hour that can be the difference between life and death for those on the other side of the partition,” comments Fredrik Nystedt, R&D Manager at SSC Klingan AB, manufacturer of the glass partitions.

In December 2010, SSC Klingan received approval from the Swedish approval and certification body SP SITAC for its recently developed glass partitions. SP SITAC’s authorisation is verification that the glass partitions meet the fire safety specifications for categories E 60 and EI 60.

60 in these instances refer to minutes. E means that flames and hot gases cannot seep through the glass partition to such a degree that they can ignite material nearby, and l means that the glass partition does not exceed a certain critical temperature.

“Our new glass partitions have double glazing in the same frame. This makes a huge difference compared with using just one sheet of glass,” explains Fredrik Nystedt.

A special feature that makes SSC unique and that is of enormous significance for fire safety is that standard approved electric cables are pre-fitted at the factory in the glass partitions. 

“This way we don’t have to drill holes for electric cables when the partitions are installed. Making holes vastly increases the risk of impairing fire safety properties," says Fredrik Nystedt.
He feels that buyers in Sweden are too remiss in terms of demanding that glass partitions are standard approved.

“Norway is another matter entirely. They are unrelenting in their safety demands. We have a lot to learn here in Sweden in this regard,” Fredrik Nystedt feels.

A head start in the market
SSC's new type of glass partitions stems from many years of experience and persistent research and development projects regarding the use of fire safety glass and modern fire glazing methods. These glass partitions ensure that SSC can fulfil a wide variety of needs, ranging from individual solutions entailing large module measurements, different types of wood and aesthetic designs, to purely standard solutions. 

“The fact that the new glass partitions are quality assured, both via certificates from the glass manufacturer and via at least three self-initiated trials at accredited testing institutes, gives us a head start in the market,” CEO Peter Forsséll notes in conclusion.