guideline
Quality guideline for the assessment of CONTRAFLAM® / SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
Quality guideline
CONTRAFLAM® / SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
1 Introduction
CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®, CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE are fireresistant glass types for structural elements which comply with the
requirements of EN 1363-1 and e.g. 1364-1, EN 1634-1 etc. Structural elements made with CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®, ­CONTRA­FLAM®
STRUCTURE and their insulating glass products (Climalit,
Climaplus and Climatop) are transparent with a high
light transmittance; they are also smoke and flame-resistant. In the event of a fire, ­CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®,
CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE ­establish a heat shield and provide protection against heat radiation.
CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®, CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTUREproducts are generally compliant with EN ISO 12543 and EN
14449 (laminated glass and laminated safety glass) which are
the basis for the CE marking of these products.
The particular basic standards for the types of glass which are
used will apply to special structures and insulating glass types,
e.g. coated glass (EN 1096-1), patterned glass (EN 572-5), insulating glass (EN 1279) etc. and the characteristics specific to these
products, together with the features determined by the manufacturing process.
2 Scope
This directive is used to assess the features of all types of
CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®, COTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE and
their insulating glass types. The assessment is made on the basis of the testing principles described below.
3 testing
During the testing procedure to determine defects, translucence through the pane of glass, i.e. observation of the background, is generally the determining factor, rather than the
view of the glass from above or reflection. The observed defects must not be particularly marked.
The pane of glass to be tested must be observed pursuant to
EN ISO 12543-6 Point 9 (1998 Edition) in diffused daylight. This
likewise applies to fire-resistant insulating glass. Direct lighting or backlighting and observation against direct sunlight
are special cases which are not covered by this directive or by
the standard. The pane of glass to be tested must be observed
vertically from a distance of 2 m. A distance of 3 m applies to
coated glass pursuant to EN 1096-1.
In the table which follows, the permitted variations are determined according to the position of the defect in the glass pane
during the test procedure. For this purpose the pane of glass is
divided into zones.
The assessment shown in the following table is based on fireresistant glass with a silica interlayer between two glass panes.
For combinations with patterned glass, functional glass and
plastic panels, the specific features and standards for these
products likewise apply (see Point 1 – Introduction).
4 Permitted defects
4.1 CONTRAFLAM®/SWISSFLAM®
ZONE
The following are permitted:
Edge zone F
he edge zone amounts to 20 mm from the glass rim. No assessment of visual quality is made in this zone.
T
– Peripheral damage which does not impair strength.
Peripheral zone R
he peripheral zone amounts to 10% of the particular clear width and height
T
dimensions.
– Optical irregularities in the form of inclusions caused by the manufacturing
process. Streaks, bubbles up to 3 mm, discoloration and lack of homogeneity
in the inter-layer. These do not impair the translucence of the pane.
Scratches: Total individual length 90 mm; max. individual length 30 mm.
Hairline scratches: accumulations are not permitted.
H
F
R
R+H
Max. number of permitted defects as in Zone R
Inclusions, bubbles, dots, spots etc. of 0.5 < 1.0 mm permitted with no limitation of area, except for accumulations. An
(peripheral zone +
main field of vision) accumulation occurs if not less than four inclusions, bubbles, dots, flecks etc. are present within a circle with a diameter
of ≤ 20 cm.
General:
We Know Fire.
– If there is more than one silica and/or plastic interlayer (> 2 mm) the permitted number of defects increases by one
defect per layer.
– Defects ≤ 0.5 mm are not taken into account. Existing interference areas (corona) must not exceed 3 mm.
– Experience shows that small bubbles of up to 3 mm in size are absorbed by the fire-resistant layer and dissolved.
– Because of the production process, in some particular cases the seal of the filling opening may be visible if the glass
edge cover is less than 15 mm.
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– Because of the manufacturing technology, distortions may occur (see Sec. 5 – Tolerances).
– Optical phenomena do not as a rule impair the fire-resistant function.
©2011/Subject to change/May 2011/version 1.0 en
Main zone H
Clear height
Pane height
Main field of vision H I nclusions, dots, spots, bubbles etc.
Pane area ≤ 1 m2 max. 2 faults ≤ 2 mm ∅
Pane area ≤ 2 m2 max. 3 faults ≤ 2 mm ∅
Pane area ≥ 2 m2 max. 5 faults ≤ 2 mm ∅
Scratches: Total individual length max. 45 mm; max. individual length: 15 mm
Hairline scratches: accumulations are not permitted.
Pane width
Clear width
Main zone H
Quality guideline for the assessment of CONTRAFLAM® / SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
guideline
Quality guideline
CONTRAFLAM®/ SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
4.2 CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
ZONE
The following are permitted:
Edge zone F
The edge zone at the upper and lower rim of the pane amounts to 20 mm from the glass edge. No assessment of the visual
quality is made in this zone.
– Peripheral damage which does not impair strength.
Peripheral zone R
he peripheral zone at the upper and lower rim of the pane is 10% of the particular clear width and height dimension
T
(see sketch).
– Optical irregularities due to the manufacturing process in the form of inclusions, streaks, bubbles up to 3 mm, discoloration and lack of homogeneity in the interlayer. These do not impair the translucence of the pane.
Scratches: individual length max. 90 mm; max. individual length 30 mm
Hairline scratches: accumulations are not permitted.
Main field of vision H I nclusions, dots, spots, bubbles etc.
Pane area ≤ 1 m2 max. 2 faults ≤ 2 mm ∅
Pane area ≤ 2 m2 max. 3 faults ≤ 2 mm ∅
Pane area ≥ 2 m2 max. 5 faults ≤ 2 mm ∅
Scratches: Total individual length max. 45 mm; max. individual length: 15 mm
Hairline scratches: accumulations are not permitted
R+H
ax. number of permitted defects as in Zone R
M
Inclusions, bubbles, dots, spots etc. of 0.5 < 1.0 mm permitted with no limitation of area except for accumulations. An
(Peripheral zone +
main field of vision) accumulation occurs if not less than four inclusions, bubbles, dots, spots etc. are present within a circle with a diameter
of ≤ 20 cm.
– If there is more than one silica and/or plastic interlayer (> 2 mm) the permitted number of defects increases by one defect
per layer.
– Defects ≤ 0.5 mm are not taken into account. Existing interference areas (corona) must not exceed 3 mm.
– Practical experience shows that small bubbles of up to 3 mm in size are absorPane width
bed by the fire-resistant layer and dissolved.
– Because of the production process, in some particular cases the seal of the
filling opening may be visible if the glass edge cover is less than 15 mm.
– Because of the manufacturing technology, distortions may occur (see Sec.
5 – Tolerances).
– Optical phenomena do not as a rule impair the fire-resistant function.
– The different materials used for sealing and spacing may have slight colour
H
differences in the peripheral edge sealing, ranging from black to dark grey.
– The peripheral edge sealing may show slight wave patterns because of the
production process. Permitted values will be found in the product datasheets.
R
– CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE has a ground edge compliant with EN 12510-1 Fig.
F
7.2 Fig. 6 c.
– When laminated safety glass is used with CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE-pane
construction these edges comply with EN ISO 12543-5 para. 4.2.3.
Pane height
Clear height H
Main zone H
General:
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Quality guideline for the assessment of CONTRAFLAM® / SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
guideline
Quality guideline
CONTRAFLAM®/ SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
5 Tolerances
5.1 Measuring and edge mismatch
The dimensional tolerances for all types of CONTRAFLAM®,
SWISSFLAM®, CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE are ±2 mm.
Outside dimension x mm ± 2 mm
5.3 Corner radii
The radius tolerance is +4 mm/–3 mm.
5.4 Deformation/local/global bow
A Level
The dimensional tolerances for insulating glass based on
CONTRA­FLAM® and SWISSFLAM®/CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
are shown in the table:
< 1000 mm
± 2.0mm
Nominal ≥ 1000 mm and < 2000 mm
± 2.5 mm
dimensions
≥ 2000 mm
± 3.0mm
5.2 Rectangularity
The dimensional accurancy and angularity of CONTRAFLAM®,
SWISSFLAM®, CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE are determined in
compliance with EN 572 Part 2. A pane which is rectangular
must be enclosed within a rectangle whose size corresponds
to the permitted maximum and minimum dimensions.
Min. pane size
Pane
D2
D1–D2 = max. 2 mm
D1
Max. pane size
The angularity is verified by measuring diagonals D1
and D2. The absolute difference must not exceed 2 mm.
This value likewise applies to fire-resistant insulating glass.
h1 = 3 mm / m
5.4.1Linearity with reference to the length of the glass rim
(general deformation)
A straight edge is applied to the concave side of the pane set
up almost vertically on two blocks to measure the maximum
distance h1 between the arc of the glass surface and the intended chord at the glass rim.
5.4.2Linearity in relation to a measured distance of 300 mm
(local deformation)
Straight edge 300 mm
h1 = 0.3 mm / 300 mm
The variations are to be measured with a straight edge at a distance of 25 mm from the glass rim. With reference to a measuring distance of 300 mm, the departure from linearity h1 must
not exceed 0.3 mm for all types of glass except for patterned
glass. Variations from linearity may occur over relatively short
distances along the edge of the pane.
5.5 Element thickness
The thickness tolerances are product-dependent and may be
taken from the relevant data sheets. In general, Climalit and
Climaplus have a ±1 mm higher thickness tolerance than the
basic monolithic products; for Climatop, thickness tolerances
greater than ±1.5 mm are used.
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Quality guideline
CONTRAFLAM®/ SWISSFLAM® / CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
6 Fire-resistant insulating glass-Assessment
of the visible area of the insulating glass
edge seal
In the visible edge seal zone and therefore outside the clear
glass area, in the case of insulating glass features caused by
the manufacturing process may be detectable on the glass
and spacer frame. These features may be visible if the insulating glass edge seal is not covered on one or more sides due
to design characteristics, e.g. in the case of CONTRAFLAM®
STRUCTURE. The permitted variations in parallelism of the
spacer from the straight edge of the glass or from further spacers (e.g. for triple heat- insulating glass) amount to a total of
4 mm for a maximum edge length of 1.5 m and for larger edge
lengths to a total of 6 mm. In the case of insulating glass with
two panes, the tolerance of the spacer is 4 mm up to a maximum edge length of 3.5 m and 6 mm for bigger side lengths. If
the edge seal of the insulating glass is not covered for design
reasons, typical features of the edge seal may be visible; these
are not covered by this directive and must be agreed in each
particular case. Special frame designs and versions of the edge
seal of insulating glass must be coordinated with the particular glazing system.
7 General notes
When certain features are assessed, their specific characteristics must be noted, e.g.
– combinations with coated glass
– material-related properties, e.g. different refraction index of
the glass and fire-resistant layer
– manufacturer- and/or batch-related colour variations and
light scattering, e.g. on the interlayer, intermediate films or
coatings
– colour differences on patterned glass/coated glass etc.
– for physical reasons, the transmission, colour depth and
light scattering depend upon the pane thickness.
7.1 Features with physical causes
7.1.1. Special optical characteristics when ESG is used
As the glass is placed on rollers in the furnace during the toughening process, slight surface changes may occasionally occur.
This wave pattern is caused by physical processes; it is not always avoidable and in certain cases can lead to changes of the
reflection pattern. Because of the thermal toughening process,
chemical and mechanical changes of the surface characteristics may occur, such as the formation of spots and roller impressions.
7.1.2 Anisotropic features when ESG is used
These are iridescent phenomena which occur on thermally
toughened glass (ESG). ESG is toughened by a special thermoprocess. This manufacturing process generates tension zones
in the glass which then cause double refraction under polarised light. When ESG is viewed under certain lighting conditions, polarisation fields may become visible. This effect is typical of ESG and is caused by physical phenomena. Depending
on weather conditions and the time of day, natural daylight
contains a varying degree of polarised light.
8 Identification
8.1 Stamp
Every CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®, CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
pane is permanently marked in compliance with the requirements of the particular authorisation. Special wishes of the client as to the positioning of the mark can be taken into account.
Minimum data shown in the mark
– Name or works number of
the manufacturer
– Type designation e.g.
«CONTRAFLAM®30»
– Application standard
e.g. EN ISO 12543/14449
8.2. Sticker/Delivery papers
In addition the CE-relevant information is attached to each
consignment of glass.
More precise information about CE marking can be found at
www.vetrotech.com/ce.
In addition, further supervisory marks may be applied to satisfy
national requirements, such as the Ü symbol for Germany.
8.3 Positioning of the block edge
Each CONTRAFLAM®, SWISSFLAM®, CONTRAFLAM® STRUCTURE
pane bears a sticker marking the positioning edge. The correct
positioning when the glass is fitted must be respected.
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