Heard a building inspector say my new office windows need fire-rated glass

I was at a supply shop on Gratiot last week and overheard two contractors talking about how many commercial builds in Detroit get flagged for using regular glass in stairwells. Has anyone dealt with that code requirement and found a supplier that doesn't charge an arm and a leg?

2 comments

2 Comments

gavin_knight391mo ago

Went through this exact headache on a project off I-94 last year. Try calling around to the glass supply places on the west side, they tend to have better pricing on the fire-rated stuff because they deal with more commercial orders.

kai_brown231mo ago

Is it true the testing for that fire rated stuff involves actually setting a pane on fire while spraying it with a hose? I only know because my cousin tried to save money by ordering some off-brand online, and the inspector made him take it all down because the stamp wasn't the right one for Detroit codes. Ended up costing double in the long run, which is basically the story of every renovation I've ever heard about in this city.