Superlite I-Xl Half-Year Sales Up 124%

SAFTI FIRST, a leading manufacturer of fire-rated glazing and framing products, saw an increase of 124% in SuperLite I-XL sales for the first six months of 2007 when compared to sales during the same period of 2006.Current sales of SuperLite I-XL have already exceeded total 2006 annual sales.

"These sales figures are indicative of a more important trend, which is an increased understanding of radiant heat as a serious fire and life safety issue" says William O'Keeffe, President and CEO of SAFTI FIRST. "More and more, we see AHJs (authorities having jurisdiction) exercising their power under the codes to approve a product like SuperLite I-XL due to its ability to provide additional radiant heat protection, CPSC Cat. II impact-safety protection and superior optical clarity for less than the cost of ceramics."

Most recently, the City of Los Angeles issued a General Approval for SuperLite I-XL. Plus many more jurisdictions are approving the use of this product, such as Honolulu, San Francisco, and numerous counties in Florida.

One of the many projects using SuperLite I-XL as an alternative to traditional wired glass is the National Center for International Schools in San Francisco, CA. “Upgrading to Category-II safety-rated, radiant heat-reducing glazing was a critical consideration in our decision to replace wire glass campus-wide. The possibility of a student impacting a door lite or sidelite was a major concern, particularly at assembly area doors equipped with panic hardware,” says Daniel Klingebiel, CFM, CFMJ, Director of Facilities and Planning for the school. In total, the school upgraded 140 20-minute door vision lites to SuperLite I (CSPC Cat. II safety-rated), 30 45-minute side lites and windows to SuperLite I-XL (CPSC Cat. II safety-rated) and 33 90-min door vision panels to certified field-filmed SuperLite I-W (CPSC Cat. II safety-rated).

SuperLite I-XL is a patented, clear, CPSC Cat II impact safety rated, fire protective glazing product that reflects heat back to the fire source, which facilitates safe egress, prevents the fire from spreading to other areas and gives fire fighters additional time to safely access and extinguish the fire. This product is fully listed for 20 minutes and approved by the GSA and AHJs as an alternate material for 45/60 minute applications without hose stream in accordance with Section 104.11, Alternative Materials, Design and Methods of Construction and Equipment, of the IBC.

The hose stream was originally developed to test the structural integrity of a building’s wall and supportive components. It was not developed to test non-structural elements such as windows and doors, where 45-minute fire-protective glazing is used. Despite the claims of its proponents, the hose stream does not simulate the potential threat of thermal shock from sprinklers. The hose stream is applied after the glass has been exposed to a minimum of 1638 degrees Fahrenheit – sprinkler discharge would have occurred at far lower temperatures (approximately 165 degrees Fahrenheit). Major countries in Europe and Asia have abandoned the hose stream as a test for fire rated glazing for over 20 years.

For more information on SuperLite I-XL, download the Technical Bulletin at http://www.safti.com/AHJ/. For more information on SAFTI FIRST, please visit www.safti.com or call 888.653.3333.

About SAFTI FIRST

Founded in 1982, SAFTI FIRST Fire Rated Glazing Solutions has been serving the architectural and building communities and continues to be the leader in manufacturing fire rated glass and framing for over 20 years. As the premier source for code-approved fire rated glazing, SAFTI FIRST was the first to introduce transparent fire rated walls to the U.S.A. Our SuperLite™ product line, fire rated from 20 minutes to three hours, includes fire-retardant filled glass, ceramics, safety wired glass and SuperLite I-XL, a patented breakthrough fire protective product that significantly reduces radiant heat transfer (AHJ approval necessary in some areas). SuperLite™ products can protect against noise, attack, impact, bullets, blast, hurricane and UV rays and is available in any custom architectural make-up, including enhanced energy performance. SAFTIfire Frames are fire rated from 20 minutes to 2 hours. All products are manufactured in the U.S.A. with fast lead times. For more information please visit www.safti.com or call 888.653.3333.



Media interested in photos, interviews or other information should contact Diana San Diego at 415.824.4900 ext. 225 or dianas@safti.com.