Glass Safety

WHAT GLAZING MUST BE SAFE?

The updated British Standard "BS 6262: Part 4: 1994 Code of Practice for Glazing for Buildings", introduced new requirements that glazing fitted in 'critical locations' in domestic buildings must be safe.

This may be achieved for example by fitting glass which breaks safely; small panes of ordinary glass; thicker ordinary glass; by protecting the glass with a permanent robust screen; or using plastics glazing sheet. Further details are given below.

The GPSR and the standard apply to all domestic glazing installations whether new build, replacement or refurbishment.

WHAT IS A CRITICAL LOCATION?

Certain internal and external areas are considered 'critical locations' in terms of the safety of vertical glazing, as they are at risk from accidental human impact. The critical locations defined by the standard are similar to the Approved Document N of the Building Regulations 1991.

The 'critical locations' in any internal or external domestic area are:

Doors

Side Panels to Doors

Windows, partitions, and walls

Any glazing or part of that glazing in a door, which is between the finished floor level and a height of 1500mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.

Any glazing or part of that glazing, which is within 300mm of either side of a door edge and which is between the finished floor level and a height of 1500mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.

Any glazing or part of that glazing, which is between the finished floor level and a height of 800mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.

EXAMPLES OF LOCATIONS

Diagram 1 below gives examples of glazing in windows, partitions, walls, doors and side panels. 'Critical locations' are shaded grey. Any glazing within a shaded area must comply with BS 6206.

 

In Diagram 1, glazing unit No. 10 falls wholly within a 'critical location' and so the glazing must comply with BS 6206.

Where only part of a glazing unit falls within a 'critical location' the whole of that unit must comply with BS 6206. In Diagram 1 this applies to units Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11.

In Diagram 1 only glazing units Nos. 1, 3, 9 and 10 fall wholly outside the 'critical location' and need not comply with BS 6206.

Diagram 1

Glazing in Windows, Partitions Glazing in Doors and Side Panels and Walls

WHAT GLAZING IS 'SAFE' IN 'CRITICAL LOCATIONS'?

Safety Glass and Safety Plastics

Safety glass, which complies with 'BS 6206: 1981 (1994)' may be fitted in 'critical locations'. This standard requires the glass to pass stringent tests involving impacts from a "punch bag" containing lead shot. Providing the glass does not break or breaks safely it is categorised as Class A, B, or C with A being the highest grade of safety glass. 

Different types of glass can be classified as safety glass:

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR ON SAFETY GLAZING?

'British Standard 6206: 1981 (1994)' requires that each piece of safety glazing used within 'critical locations' should be marked with the all of the following:

The British Standard number 'BS 6206'.

Identification of the type of glass used i.e. 'L' for laminated, 'P' for plastics, 'T' for tempered (toughened), 'W' for wired or 'SFB' for safety film backed.

The category of safety glass used i.e. 'Class A', 'Class B', or 'Class C' (based on its performance under impact tests). A suffix 'o' denotes front impact test only e.g. mirrored wardrobe doors.

An identifiable name, trademark or other identification mark of the manufacturer. If any of the above markings are lost by cutting, then the company which carries out the cutting must replace markings a) to c) and add their own identifiable name or trade mark.