Top building products for September 2023

Located in Wilmington, Delaware, Nemours/duPont hospital has undergone a series of expansions since it was founded in the 1940s.

It may look like a regular window, but these advanced fire resistive glazing systems are recognized in the code as transparent walls because of its ability to block smoke, flames and significantly limit the passage of dangerous radiant heat.

To preserve the building’s open design and to extend natural light further in the building, the architects incorporated fire resistive glazing in the areas that required a 2-hour fire rating, particularly in the stairwells and exit passageways.

At first glance, it might seem like a barn—but a closer look reveals towering windows, rooftop solar panels and world-class energy efficiency. 

Among the best glass+glazing products included in BD+C's inaugural Top 101 Products report are Guardian Industries SunGuard SNX 51/23, Modernfold’s Acousti-Clear, and SageGlass’s Electrochromic Glass.

The space, which the firm hoped to use as a gathering place for employees and clients, had no access to daylight. 

SuperLite II-XLM is a fire resistive multi-laminate glass product that meets ASTM E-119/UL 263/NFPA 251 and CAN/ULC S101 up to 2 hours.

The University of Chicago Hospital Group reached out to Bill Zientarski of Hi-Performance Glazing Solutions and SAFTI FIRST’s architectural representative in Illinois for a solution that combined vision, privacy and fire protection in one glazed unit.