MK FIREGUARD – Fire-Resistant Guardrails (laminated glass)
2026-04-22
Innovation in passive fire protection systems – design and production of a fire-resistant glass guardrail system
The growing regulatory requirements regarding fire safety in buildings have driven the development of construction solutions capable of combining safety, technical performance, and architectural integration. In this context, METALLIK, leveraging its certified technical expertise in fire-rated systems, has developed a fire-resistant glass guardrail system.
According to portuguese No. 135/2020 (Portugal), which regulates technical fire safety provisions in buildings, façade elements between overlapping openings belonging to distinct fire compartments must ensure a minimum distance of 1.1 or 1.5 meters.
This requirement can pose an architectural and construction challenge, particularly in contemporary buildings characterized by large glazed surfaces and visual continuity of façades.
The fire-resistant guardrail system emerges as an elegant and functional technical solution, enabling this vertical separation to be ensured without compromising the building’s aesthetics.
The developed system consists of perimeter lacquered metal profiles with infill in tempered glass, which have been duly tested and certified by notified bodies for use in service buildings (and consequently residential use), also ensuring flame integrity for up to 120 minutes and limiting transmitted thermal radiation.
To ensure adequate safety in the intended use of guardrails, regarding mechanical resistance characteristics, METALLIK developed a product sample that was tested and validated by ITECONS (Institute for Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability) according to standard NP 4491:2009, achieving satisfactory performance.
The developed solution provides several technical and operational advantages, such as:
- Structural and fire safety – The use of fire-resistant materials and validation through laboratory testing ensure high levels of safety for users and buildings.
- Architectural integration – The solution allows compliance with regulatory requirements for vertical separation between openings without compromising façade transparency and aesthetics, as the glass does not present significant color differences compared to conventional glass, maintaining interior brightness while ensuring maximum fall protection.
- Integrated technical solution – The system was designed as a complete and tested set, including profiles, sealants, glass, and accessories compatible with fire-resistant applications.
- Reduction of technical risks – The availability of a validated solution helps reduce technical liability risks associated with façade system design and execution.
- Internal development and know-how – The project demonstrates the company’s internal capability to develop proprietary solutions in the field of fire-resistant framing systems, reinforcing its specialization in high technical demand systems.
This type of innovation highlights the fundamental role of specialized companies in developing technically validated construction solutions capable of simultaneously meeting regulatory requirements and the needs of contemporary architecture.
GO BACK
