Fire-Rated Glass Partitions, UK-Wide
A fire-rated glass partition is a glazed wall system tested and classified to hold back fire and smoke for a set period — EI30 for 30 minutes, EI60 for 60 — while still reading as clear glass rather than a solid wall. Weldholm's WH-78EI system does this with a 4mm silicone joint instead of a visible frame between panes.
What EI30 and EI60 actually mean
| Rating | Holds for | What's being tested |
|---|---|---|
| EI30 | 30 minutes | Integrity (E) — stays intact, stops flame and smoke passing through. Insulation (I) — the unexposed side stays below ignition temperature. |
| EI60 | 60 minutes | Same E + I criteria, double the duration. |
WH-78EI is built and classified for both.
Where fire-rated glazing gets specified
Anywhere building control calls for compartmentation but the design calls for glass:
- Fire-zone separation in office buildings where an uninterrupted glass sightline matters
- Reception areas that need to stay visually open while sitting on a compartment line
- Corridors and open-plan floors needing compartmentation without feeling closed-in
- Means-of-escape routes that have to hold a fire rating and stay visually clear for wayfinding
Frameless, not just fire-rated
Most fire-rated glazing is framed — a visible aluminium or steel profile holds each pane and carries the fire test. WH-78EI's 4mm joint is filled with firestop intumescent material and non-flammable silicone instead, available in black, grey, or white to match the fit-out. The wall reads as continuous glass rather than a series of framed panels, while still holding the fire zone and keeping evacuation routes viable.
WH-78EI specification
- Fire resistance classes
- EI30 and EI60
- Joint width between modules
- 4mm
- Maximum module size
- 1.5m wide (up to 3.6m height) or 1.8m wide (up to 3.0m height)
- Overall wall length
- No limit (tested under a “free-edge” model)
- Mounting
- Concealed wall mounting
- Joint colour options
- Black, grey, white
- Certification
- CE-marked
- Installation
- Quoted separately with every quote
Fire-rated vs. acoustic vs. standard glazing
| System | Built for | Key figure |
|---|---|---|
| WH-78EI | Fire compartmentation | EI30/EI60 |
| WH-80 OFFICE | Acoustic privacy | Up to 50dB |
| WH-45 / WH-45 OFFICE | Lightweight internal division | 45mm profile |
| WH-EXPO | Open/flexible dividing | Frameless, folding |
Fire-rated glazing, asked and answered
What does EI30 or EI60 actually mean?
EI ratings describe how long a glazed element holds back fire in a real test, in minutes — EI30 for 30 minutes, EI60 for 60. "E" is integrity (the glass and joint stay intact and stop flame and smoke passing through); "I" is insulation (the unexposed side stays below a temperature that would ignite anything nearby).
Can a fire-rated glass partition be frameless?
Yes — WH-78EI uses a 4mm silicone joint between panes instead of a visible frame, so the wall reads as continuous glass while still holding its EI30 or EI60 rating.
What colour options are there for the joint?
Black, grey, or white, to match the surrounding fit-out.
Is fire-rated glazing from Weldholm CE-marked?
Yes — every Weldholm system, including WH-78EI, carries CE marking.