Can you replace fire glass without replacing the frame?

Yes, if the replacement glass is a type and size the existing frame's test or assessment evidence covers, and it is refitted with the specified beads, seals and fixings. If the frame's evidence is unknown or does not cover available glass, glass-only replacement cannot be relied on to restore the rating.

Start with the existing glass

Most fire glass is marked in a corner with the product and classification. A photograph of the mark and the pane size tell us a lot about the system.

Then check the frame

The frame manufacturer's evidence lists the glass types it was tested with. A different product may need an assessment showing it performs equivalently in that frame.

Seals and beads matter as much as glass

Many failed fire tests in practice come from wrong glazing tapes, missing intumescent seals or beads fixed with too few pins. Replacement includes all of these, not just the pane.

When the frame has no evidence

Older frames with no traceable evidence can sometimes be assessed by a test body. Where that is not practical, a new tested frame is the honest answer, and we will price both routes.

Updated 09/10/2026. General guidance only; your fire strategy, designer and building control body decide what applies to a specific building.