Today, more and more design firms are incorporating glazing in their designs – particularly in the building envelope – to maximize the amount of natural light penetrating the building while creating a connection to the outdoor environment. Such was the case for Prairie Hills Junior High School in Markham, Ill., a brand new 200,000-sf modern building designed to accommodate the district’s 1,200 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
Project: Prairie Hills Junior High School, Markham, Ill.
Owner: Prairie Hills Elementary School District 144
Architect: Arcon Associates, Lombard, Ill.
General Contractor: Nicholas & Associates Inc., Mount Prospect, Ill.
Glazing Contractor: Rock Valley Glass, Cherry Valley, Ill.
Product Manufacturer/Supplier: SAFTI FIRST
Products Used: SuperLite II-XL 120 IGU in SAFTIfire CW Framing
The building’s south-facing elevation features a glazed aluminum curtain wall that incorporates PPG Solarblue and PPG Solarban 60 glazing. While this particular situation didn’t need to meet property line requirements, part of the curtain wall had to meet a two-hour rating because it was adjacent to a two-hour block wall through the building’s interior. In order to keep the original design and meet the fire rating requirements, the architect specified a two-hour fire rated curtain wall that met ASTM E-119/NFPA 251/UL263 requirements.
As the fire rated glass and framing manufacturer specified for this project, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 120 IGU in SAFTIfire CW Framing. This unique system performs as a fire barrier while still being part of the building’s exterior skin. It provides protection in the event of a fire while enhancing the building’s overall aesthetics and performance. Since the SAFTIfire CW Framing system is thermally broken, it is a natural selection for exterior fire resistive applications in places that experience extreme weather, such as the Midwest.
Contact Info:
SAFTIFIRST Fire Rated Glazing Solutions
325 Newhall Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
Phone: 888.653.3333
Fax: 888.653.4444
Web: www.safti.com
Email: info@safti.com
To match the look of the non-rated glass units used in the exterior, the SuperLite II-XL 120 fire resistive glazing was insulated with PPG Solarblue for the outdoor lite and PPG Solarban 60 for the indoor lite. The SAFTIfire CW Framing System offers the same hard-edged sightlines of extruded aluminum provided by popular non-rated systems. With the aluminum covers supplied with a clear anodized finish similar to the non-rated systems, the SAFTIfire CW Framing System blended perfectly, giving designers the uniform, seamless look that they desired.
In addition to meeting ASTM E-119/NFPA 251/UL263 for two-hour, the SAFTIfire CW Framing System was also tested for air and water infiltration and thermal movements. SAFTI FIRST also supplied structural calculations for wind load and seismic load, specifically stamped by an engineering firm from the state of Illinois.
Prairie Hills Junior High School opened its doors in August 2012. It is the first school in the country to receive Green Globe Certification from the Green Building Initiative and is currently awaiting LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Related Stories
| May 20, 2014
Using fire-rated glass in exterior applications
Fire-rated glazing and framing assemblies are just as beneficial on building exteriors as they are on the inside. But knowing how to select the correct fire-rated glass for exterior applications can be confusing. SPONSORED CONTENT
| May 13, 2014
19 industry groups team to promote resilient planning and building materials
The industry associations, with more than 700,000 members generating almost $1 trillion in GDP, have issued a joint statement on resilience, pushing design and building solutions for disaster mitigation.
Sponsored | | May 3, 2014
Fire-rated glass floor system captures light in science and engineering infill
In implementing Northwestern University’s Engineering Life Sciences infill design, Flad Architects faced the challenge of ensuring adequate, balanced light given the adjacent, existing building wings. To allow for light penetration from the fifth floor to the ground floor, the design team desired a large, central atrium. One potential setback with drawing light through the atrium was meeting fire and life safety codes.
| Apr 25, 2014
Recent NFPA 80 updates clarify fire rated applications
Code confusion has led to misapplications of fire rated glass and framing, which can have dangerous and/or expensive results. Two recent NFPA 80 revisions help clarify the confusion. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Apr 8, 2014
Fire resistive curtain wall helps The Kensington meet property line requirements
The majority of fire rated glazing applications occur inside a building to allow occupants to exit the building safely or provide an area of refuge during a fire. But what happens when the threat of fire comes from the outside? This was the case for The Kensington, a mixed-use residential building in Boston.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
Sponsored | | Mar 30, 2014
Ontario Leisure Centre stays ahead of the curve with channel glass
The new Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre features a 1,400-sf serpentine channel glass wall that delivers dramatic visual appeal for its residents.
| Mar 20, 2014
Common EIFS failures, and how to prevent them
Poor workmanship, impact damage, building movement, and incompatible or unsound substrate are among the major culprits of EIFS problems.
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Mar 7, 2014
Thom Mayne's high-tech Emerson College LA campus opens in Hollywood [slideshow]
The $85 million, 10-story vertical campus takes the shape of a massive, shimmering aircraft hangar, housing a sculptural, glass-and-aluminum base building.
