Safety glazing in critical locations
Where the building regulations treat glazing as a critical location, and how toughened and laminated glass differ.
What is a critical location?
In England, Approved Document K treats glass in doors, glass in side panels within 300mm of a door up to 1500mm from floor level, and other glazing lower than 800mm from floor level as critical locations. Wales covers the same subject in Approved Document N, Scotland in Section 4 of its Technical Handbooks, and Northern Ireland in Technical Booklet V.
What glass is acceptable?
Glass that breaks safely, such as toughened or laminated safety glass classified to BS EN 12600, or glass that is robust enough or small enough to meet the guidance.
How do I order it?
Mark every pane in a critical location on your schedule as toughened or laminated. Toughened panes carry a permanent BS EN 12150 mark; ask if you also need units labelled by window number.
Toughened or laminated?
Toughened glass breaks into small pieces; laminated glass stays held together by its interlayer. Laminated is preferred overhead and where a fall through the glass is a risk.
This guide is general information for trade customers. The person carrying out the work remains responsible for meeting the building regulations and any planning requirements for the specific job.