There has been a marked increase in the use of steel in building design. The merits of using modern steel systems in architectural glazing are increasingly recognised.
The most common form of building protection is the preservation of life and property from the effects of fire and smoke inhalation. In today's uncertain world we can also add, at least for certain high-value projects, protection from blast, ballistic or physical attack.
Typical example of building with steel supporting structure
Aluminium system technology cannot meet all of these requirements, a recognition that led directly to the development of steel-based glazing systems for specialist applications.
These systems should be seen as complementary to, rather than replacing aluminium products. Steel is ideally suited to meet specialist demands, providing for fire resistance, smoke resistance, blast resistance, bullet resistance, anti-bandit resistance, as well as sound and thermal performance. In addition, the inherent strength and greater stability that steel profiles can provide (the X-I value) means that steel glazing systems are suitable for spanning large distances, in either vertical or slope applications.
ADVANTAGES OF STEEL PROFILES COMPARED TO ALUMINIUM
Long endurance even under rough conditions of use.
Profiles with higher static values enabling the use of slim profiles in constructions with large spans.
Material suitable for quality welding drilling for accessories.
Corrosion protection achieved through galvanizing (both inner and outer) or stainless steel material.
Smoke protection.
Fire resistance offering integrity, stability and thermal insulation at temperatures that exceed 10000 C for various times periods up to 120 minutes.
