Catalogue & Reference Guide | 6th Edition QUICK REFERENCE   Symbols | Navigation | Performance data  
GLASS PROCESSING SELECTION PERFORMANCE DESIGN GLAZING COMPLIANCE REFERENCE

Protection against Explosions

SUPER-SAFELITE EBR (Explosive Blast Resistant) is designed to offer protection against explosive blast pressures and flying glass debris.

The protection offered by EBR glazing is equally reliant on the design, of the frame and fixing methods as it is on the glass and the type of explosion specified. Refer Section 4.8.

Protection against Cyclones

Cyclonic storm conditions can result in the failure of ordinary glass in the building envelope and thus expose the occupants to injury from flying debris and extreme weather conditions. Special tests have been devised to determine glass performance in cyclone conditions and SUPER-SAFELITE CR (Cyclone Resistant) glass is recommended for such situations. Refer Section 4.9.

 

11.5.3       Fire ProtectionFire Resistant

Protection against Fire

Fire protection is of paramount importance in the design and construction of houses and commercial buildings. It is essential for the fire windows and doors and other construction components to contain any fire and prevent it spreading for as long as required by the relevant fire codes.

Fire Resistance

Fire resistant glazing does not merely comprise of fire resistant glass, but the complete system, including the frame, glazing and fixing techniques.

The entire system must be tested and conform to the relevant standards required by building codes. The use of a particular glass for fire resistant glazing must always be selected in conjunction with a framing material, glazing method and framing test requirements or limitations.

Test reports and certificates will always relate to complete system assembly strictly in accordance with the specification and never to individual component materials. Refer Section 8.7 and Section 14.14.

Tests are designed to emulate a real fire and to assess performance of the following criteria:

  • Structural Adequacy.
  • Integrity.
  • Insulation.

The results are expressed in Fire Resistant Rating (FRR) in terms of time in minutes. (e.g. - / 60 / 30).
Refer Section 8.7 for glass options and more information.

It is important to note that conventional glasses such as wired glass can conform with the Integrity but provide no Thermal Resistance or Structural Adequacy and special laminates and Insulating glasses are required to achieve acceptable insulation.

11.5.4       Surface Damage ProtectionCan Have Metro Protect

Glass damage on building sites is a common problem in the construction industry. It is normally caused by splatter from concrete, paint, welding or grinding, impact scratches or scratches from trying to clean off paint, plaster and other contaminates. In most cases no one will take the blame and the main contractor, owner or insurer ends up with the responsibility and the bill for replacement glass.

Protect – Film Protected Glass

Metro GlassTech now offer a solution to this ongoing problem. Metro Protect is an 80 micron UV resistant film that has been fully researched and tested by a major international film manufacturer and is specifically designed for use on glass. Other options to protect on site glazing are the application of plastic masking film or building paper. These are not ideal as they are thin and can tear, or destruct in bad weather conditions. They are also labour intensive to apply and you cannot open or shut the windows.

Protecting the glass using hoarding is also expensive, in some cases not practicable and it reduces light into the working space. Metro Protect starts its job even before the glass reaches site as the full process is carried out at our factory before glazing and is factory trimmed to suit the glazing system or glazier. Metro Protect can be ordered single or double sided and to a specified trim distance from the glass edge allowing for easy removal at the completion of the job.

The protective film is four times the thickness of common plastic masking films. It has been designed for commercial site protection, not just transportation protection. It is UV Stable and will not change colour or gain or lose adhesion over time.The film removes easily and cleanly after 9 months with no residue. It is not affected by concrete, plaster or paint and is highly resistant to welding and grinding sparks. All doors and windows can be opened and closed as normal. There is far less cleaning at the end of your project – simply peel away the film and hand over the job.

Metro GlassTech PROTECT - Film Protected Glass

Notes:

  • Metro Protect has been extensively researched, developed and tested for use only on glass and is embossed to enable identification.
  • Metro GlassTech have exclusive New Zealand rights.
  • Metro Protect is applied using an automated system applied at our factory and cannot be applied to glass after glazing.

Look for the PROTECT icon for glass options that can have Metro Protect applied. Use Metro Protect to reduce the end of job glass replacement or insurance claims due to concrete, plaster and paint damage.

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Symbols

Performance Data Symbols

For more detailed information click on Performance Data or go to Performance.

Visible Light Transmission
Visible Light Transmisson 		Visible Light Reflectance
Visible Light Reflectance 		Ultra-Violet Elimination
Ultra-Violet Elimination 		Fading Reduction Coefficient
Fading Reduction Coefficient
Shading Coefficient
Shading Coefficient 		Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient 		R Value
R Value 		U Value
U Value
Sound Transmission Loss
Sound Transmission Loss 		Sound Transmission Class
Sound Transmission Class 		Weighted Sound Reduction
Weighted Sound Reduction 		Coolness Factor
Coolness Factor
Perceived Sound Reduction
Perceived Sound Reduction 		Window Efficiency Rating System
Window Efficiency Rating System 		   

 

Quick Reference Symbols

Look for these symbols when choosing your glass to help make your decision easier. If you are looking for particular properties in your glass selection make note of the associated icons below. Each glass type has a list of the applicable icons below it's description.

These icons should be used as a general guideline for your selection. You'll also find icons related to special manufacturing parameters including CIP Laminate, Screen Printing and Toughening.

Available Thickness
Available Thickness 		Reflective Coating
Reflective Coating 		Low E Coated
Low E Coated 		Laminated Glass
Laminated Glass
Good Glare Control
Good Glare Control (rated VLT 70% or lower)		 Good Fading Reduction
Good Fading Reduction (rated - FRC 0.5 or lower)		 Good Solar Control
Good Solar Control (rated S/C 0.6
or lower)		 Good Insulation
U Value
(rated - U Value 3.00 or lower)
Condensation Reducing
Condensation Reducing 		Good Sounds Reduction
Good Sound Reduction (rated - PSR 40% or higher)		 Fire Resistant
Fire Resistant 		 
Can Be CIP Laminated
Can Be CIP Laminated 		Can Be Screen Printed
Can Be Screen Printed 		Can Be Toughened
Can Be Toughened		 Can Have Metro Protect
Can Have Metro Protect

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Navigation

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The sixth edition of the Metro Glasstech online catalogue.

 

Product and Service Information

This online catalogue provides a complete guide to Metro GlassTech's product and service range. Every effort has been made to ensure the catalogue is as up to date and comprehensive as possible. If you need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact a Metro GlassTech representative.

Navigation

Finding your way around is easy, with clear headings on each page and a consistent layout in line with our previous catalogue. Each section has a different colour to make it clear where you are in the catalogue. For navigation, page numbers appear at the bottom of each page, along with forward and back buttons.

Reference

Each product has comprehensive relevant technical information, so we have developed a range of quick reference symbols that will assist you in selecting the most appropriate product for your application.

A full explanation for each performance data symbol can be viewed in Performance.

A glass dictionary is provided. This is a useful guide to terms and product names used in the glass industry and throughout this catalogue.

Information Boxes

INFO Information that is considered important is boxed out. Often this is information that is critical when specifying glass so it is advisable to read the info boxes carefully when you see them.

Performance Diagrams

Performance information on many glass products is shown in these performance diagrams. They are a quick way of evaluating the performance of similar glass products.

The diagrams depict a pane of glass with data relating to temperature and solar gain for both the inside and outside.

Refer to performance for comprehensive explanations of the icons used in the performance diagrams.

Example diagram

 

Product Photography

Colour ChartTo the right hand side of each performance diagram is a swatch showing a photographic sample of the glass.

These were photographed specifically for the catalogue to provide as accurate a comparison as possible. Reflective glass types have been shown with a slight reflection.

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Performance Data

Visible Light Transmission Visible Light Transmission
The percentage of visible light transmitted through the glass. VLT is measured in the 380-780nm wavelength range perpendicular to the surface. The higher the percentage the more daylight. Also known as Tv, Tvis, LT and VT.

Visible Light ReflectanceVisible Light Reflection
The percentage of visible light that is reflected by the glass surface, measured in the 380-780nm wavelength range perpendicular to the surface. The VLR can be given as the reflection from the external surface 1 or internal surface 2. The higher the percentage the more reflection. Also known as LR, VR and Rvis

Ultra-Violet EliminationUltraviolet Elimination
The percentage of ultraviolet radiation eliminated by the glass, measured over the 290-380 nm wavelength range. The higher the percentage the less UV is transmitted. This value is calculated from the percentage transmission of ultraviolet (Tuv). Therefore UV Elimination = 100 - Tuv

Fading Reduction CoefficientFading Reduction Coefficient
The ratio of fading reduction of a glass type when compared to the fading protection of 3mm clear float. The FRC of 3mm clear float is by definition 1.0 and represents the minimum fading protection offered by standard glazing. The lower the fading reduction coefficient, the better the fading protection offered.

Solar Heat Gain CoefficientSolar Heat Gain Coefficient
The measure of the total solar energy transmittance entering a building through the glazing as heat gain. It is the total heat transmission of direct solar transmission and that proportion of absorbed radiation that is re-radiated into the building from the action of heat absorbing glass. The lower the SHGC the better the glass restricts heat energy transmission. Also known as the Solar Factor (SF) or g.

Shading CoefficientShading Coefficient
The ratio of the total solar heat gain through a particular glass compared to the total solar heat gain through 3mm clear float glass. (86%) The shading coefficient of 3mm clear float is by definition 1.0 and represents a base glass performance. The lower the shading coefficient the less heat gain and thus more shading is provided by the glass. The shading coefficient is calculated as SC = SHGC / 0.86

Window Efficiency Rating SystemWindow Efficiency Rating System
The complete WERS rates the performance of windows including frames in various defined New Zealand climate zones. For this catalogue star ratings apply to centre of glass only (WERS cog) to compare glass types and a maximum rating of five stars indicates the best performance possible. Ratings in star and half star values are given, with five stars indicating the premium performance. Refer Section 12 (Page 105) for a full explanation of each star type.

U ValueU Value
The U Value is the measure of air to air heat transfer through glass due to the thermal conductance of the glazing and the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. It is expressed as W/m2K (Watts per m2 per 1° Kelvin) or W/ m2 °C. 1 Kelvin equals 1°C. The U value is a measure of the rate of heat gain or heat loss through the glazing due to environmental differences between outdoor and indoor air. It is measured at the centre of the glass (cog).The lower the U Value the lower the heat transfer, the better the insulation.

Coolness FactorCoolness Factor
The Coolness Factor (or luminous efficacy) is the visible light transmission divided by the shading coefficient.
CF = VLT / SC. It is a useful means of comparing different glass types in terms of the trade-off between light transmission and heat control in selecting glass. Glass types with a coolness factor of 1 transmit as much light as heat, those with a coolness factor lower than 1 transmit more heat than light and those with a coolness factor greater than 1 transmit more light than heat

R ValueR Value (Total Thermal Resistance)
The R Value is the value of thermal resistance of a building element which is the sum of the surface resistances on each side plus each component of a building element. It is the inverse of the U Value R=1/R and is expressed as m2 °C/W.

Sound Transmission LossSound Transmission Loss
The average Sound Transmission Loss is useful for determining the effectiveness of glazed panels to isolate exterior noise (e.g. traffic) from a building. It is derived from the average of the measured transmission loss at eighteen 1/3 octave frequency bands between 100Hz and 5000Hz, or 16 bands from 125 to 4000Hz. Average STL is measured in decibels (dB), the higher the average STL figure, the more effective glazing will be in reducing sound transmission.

Sound Transmission ClassSound Transmission Class
The Sound Transmission Class is useful for determining the noise reduction offered by internal building elements such as partitions and walls. It is a measure that relates the sound reduction performance against sounds which normally occur inside a building (such as voices, telephones, music etc). STC is a numerical class rating and cannot be compared with the STL. It is derived from a best fit curve comparison of a reference STC curve to the insulation curve. The higher the STC rating, the better the overall sound reduction.

Weighted Sound ReductionWeighted Sound Reduction Index
The Weighted Sound Reduction Index incorporates frequency modified correction for the human ear’s response. The RW is reported in dB and is a composite rating of sound reduction at frequencies from 100 - 5000Hz. Numerically, it is comparable to the STC values but the numbers are in dBA.

Perceived Sound ReductionPerceived Sound Reduction
The percentage by which the human ear detects a lessening in sound pressure or noise is known as the Perceived Sound Reduction. A 10dB reduction in sound pressure level is generally perceived as a halving of the original noise. Sound reduction values are ‘weighted’ and used to calculate the perceived sound reduction as a ratio relative to the RW for 3mm clear float. The dB difference in the RW value for a glass type when compared to 3mm float is calculated as a perceived sound reduction percentage. For other sound indices see Section 11.4.5 and 11.4.6

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