Protection from accidents

Where glass is used overhead, at low level, or in and around doors, windows, and screens, the relevant standards must be met to protect against accidental human impact, such as children running into a patio door.

There are two main types of safety glass:

• Toughened glass, which is up to five times stronger than ordinary glass and breaks into small, safe granular pieces when broken.
• Laminated glass consists of two pieces of glass bonded together with a clear plastic interlayer. It cracks when broken but stays in position, reducing the risk of injury.

The classification of impact resistance that should be used is determined by the location and size of the glass. Your local glazier or glass merchant can advise you. If in doubt, request EN 12600 Class 2 or 1 for most locations. Additional considerations apply to glass intended to protect you from a change in floor level, such as that found on outside balconies or staircases.