A new patent-pending glass floor system offers easy installation, a maintenance-free design, and the largest panelized sizes available, according to the maker. The GPX FireFloor System is a single glass unit composed of custom SuperLite II-XL glazing combined with a tempered laminated non-slip walking surface and a fire-resistive-rated structural steel framing grid.
The framing grid is shipped prefabricated and in sections for ease of installation in the field. Its design allows installers to set the structural frame and load each glass panel from the top. This is in contrast to traditional glass-floor systems, which require the installer to set the structural frame first, then the walking surface (which is loaded from the top) and the fire-resistive glass (which is loaded separately from the bottom).
The GPX FireFloor System seals the walkable surface and the fire-resistive glazing together in a single unit to eliminate condensation and the desiccant bags used to combat these problems.
The system uses the largest tested and listed individual glass panels for two-hour fire-resistive glass floor applications. The maximum individual panel area is 40.9 sf for fully supported panels, 25.7 sf for butt-glazed floor panels.
The GPX FireFloor System was tested with a load of 100 psf and is available with load spans up to 50 feet. It can be used in both interior and exterior applications and comes in multiple glass make-ups and frame finishes.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Nov 8, 2022
Oregon wildfire risk law prompts extensive backlash from property owners
A bipartisan bill aimed at protecting property owners from wildfires that was passed by the Oregon legislature has prompted a strong backlash.
Resiliency | Sep 30, 2022
Designing buildings for wildfire defensibility
Wold Architects and Engineers' Senior Planner Ryan Downs, AIA, talks about how to make structures and communities more fire-resistant.
Fire-Rated Products | Oct 21, 2021
Safti First Fights Through Assertions Made By Plaintiffs Ely Holdings Limited And Greenlite Glass Systems That Safti First’s Fire Rated Floor System Infringed On Their Patent
In a summary judgement dated February 3, 2021, Chief Magistrate Joseph C. Spero of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the patent infringement claims filed by Ely Holdings Limited (Ely) and Greenlite Glass Systems (Greenlite) against SAFTI FIRST, a USA fire rated glass and framing manufacturer, could not proceed to trial, finding that the SAFTI FIRST’s fire resistant floor does not violate Ely’s patent.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 10, 2021
The Weekly show, Feb 11, 2021: Advances in fire protection engineering, and installing EV ports in multifamily housing
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders from Bozzuto Management Company and Goldman Copeland about advice on installing EV ports in multifamily housing, and advances in fire protection engineering.
Building Materials | Jul 5, 2020
A new report predicts significant demand growth for mass timber components
There should be plenty of wood, but production capacity needs to catch up.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 16, 2019
Top Structural Products for 2019
Inpro’s Fireline 140 fire barrier and Owens Corning’s Foamglas cellular glass insulation are among the 10 structural products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 16, 2019
101 Top Products for 2019
Building Design+Construction readers and editors select their top building products for the past 12 months in the fourth-annual 101 Top Products report.
Sponsored | Fire-Rated Products | Aug 28, 2018
Fire rated glazing gets visitors ‘in the spirit’ of historic bourbon distillery
Project Name: Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, KYArchitect: Bravura ArchitectsGlazing Contractor: Kentucky Mirror and Plate Glass Co.Products used: SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Architectural Series Walls; SuperLite II-XL 60and SuperLite II-XL 90 in GPX Builders Series Temperature Rise Doors
Sponsored | | May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! sponsor talk: The impact of new fire rated glazing technologies to design, performance, and the environment
In this 10-minute sponsor talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), Tim Nass, VP of Sales with SAFTI FIRST Fire Rated Glazing Solutions, details emerging applications for fire rated glazing technology.
