Property Services

Corporate Property Standards and Guidance

Safety Glazing
Introduction
Since 1996, Regulation 14 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 has made the requirement for safety glazing in accordance with BS 6262 mandatory and retrospective. British Standard BS 6262: Part 4: 2005 and Section N1 of Approved Document N (Glazing safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning) of the Building Regulations requires that all glazing fitted in critical locations in a building should either: -

Break safely, if it breaks Be robust or in small panes Be permanently protected with a screen or barrier

SAFETY GLAZING

The following document sets out the minimum requirements for safety glazing in County Council buildings.

Requirement for safety glazing

Any glass, plastics or safety films fitted in critical locations must comply with BS 6206: 1981. Diagram 1 below details critical locations in internal and external walls as defined by BS 6262 and Section N1 of Approved Document N of the Building Regulations.

Diagram 1

All glazing in shaded areas to be safety glazing to BS 6206.

Minimum requirements for safety glazing in low risk areas

All glazing in low risk areas shall comply with the minimum requirements of BS 6262 and Section N1 of Approved Document N see Diagram 1 above.

Corporate Property Standards and Guidance - Safety Glazing Standards Issue 4 March 2007

Requirements for safety glazing in areas of special risk

In all buildings, or parts of buildings, where the planned activity or use generates a special risk all glazing in the following areas, regardless of position or height as defined by BS 6262 and Section N1 of Approved Document N, shall be deemed to be critical locations and must comply with the glazing requirements set out in BS 6206. Areas deemed to be special risk

Gymnasiums / sports halls and / or other areas if ball games are played. Unprotected elevations facing playgrounds / playing fields or internal and external circulation areas which are directly accessible to people. Areas where children are likely to chase one another.

Over time, it is possible that the use of a particular building or areas change and may become areas of special risk. It is the duty of the Premises Manager therefore to undertake a regular risk assessment of all areas to check that the standard of safety glazing reflects the use of the building. These standards are also based on reasonable standards of behaviour by the building users.

SAFETY GLAZING

Standard of safety glazing

Safety filming to single glazing including the re-application of safety film
All glazing in the critical locations detailed above and not marked as having been filmed or being toughened or laminated glass or other such material deemed to comply with the requirements of BS 6206 shall be treated with safety film to comply with BS 6206. All safety film shall be fitted strictly in accordance with the manufacturers instructions to ensure compliance with BS 6262. The film shall be free of all dirt particles, fingerprints, scores and scratches, creases, air bubbles, etc and the edges shall be free of lifting. The edge gap shall be not less than 1mm and shall not exceed 2mm. All treated panes shall be suitably marked in accordance with BS 6206.

Replacement of existing single glazing including where already filmed

All replacement glass shall be minimum 6.4mm thick Class B laminated safety glass to BS 6206:1981. For example, Pilkington laminated safety glass. All panes shall be suitably marked in accordance with BS 6206.

Replacement glazing to existing fire doors, and fire resisting screens and partitions
All replacement glass shall be minimum 6mm thick fire resisting safety glass to BS 476: Part 22: 1987 and BS 6206: 1981. For example, Pilkington Pyroshield safety glass. All panes shall be suitably marked in accordance with BS 6206.

New and replacement double glazed window units

All replacement and new double glazed window units shall comprise laminated safety glass to outer pane and laminated safety glass with Low Emissivity (Low E) coating to the inner pane. For example, Pilkington K glass. All panes shall be suitably marked in accordance with BS 6206. Alternatively: All replacement and new double glazed window units shall comprise toughened glass to outer pane and laminated safety glass with Low Emissivity (Low E) coating to the inner pane. For example, Pilkington K glass.

Corporate Property Standards and Guidance - Safety Glazing Standards Issue 4 March 2007

In both cases, the exact thickness and composition of the double glazed units will have to be determined by reference to Approved Document L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and manufacturers specifications.

Marking of safety glass and safety film

British Standard BS 6206:1981 (1994) requires that each piece of safety glazing must be marked with all of the following: A - The British Standard number BS 6206 B - Identification of the type of glass used i.e. L for laminated, P for plastic, T for toughened, W for wired, or SFB for safety film backed. C - The category of safety glass used i.e. Class A, Class B or Class C . D - 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.

SAFETY GLAZING

Manifestation of glazing
In order to comply with the requirements of Section N2 of Approved Document N all areas of glazing in critical locations in which people are moving and might not be aware of the presence of the glazing should be marked. Critical locations include large uninterrupted areas of transparent glazing, which form, or are part of the internal or external walls and doors. Manifestation may take the form of broken or solid lines, patterns or logos at appropriate heights and intervals. Additionally Sections M1 and M2 of Approved Document M (Access to and use of buildings) requires all glass doors to be clearly defined with manifestation on the glass at two levels and contrasting visually with the background seen through the glass. See Approved Document M Section 2 paragraph 2.24 for further detail.

Inspection of safety film

In order to perform as intended and offer the required level of protection, it is important that safety film is in good condition. In areas of heavy use such as along corridors and the like, it is possible that safety film could become damaged. It is the duty of the Premises Manager to ensure that the condition of safety film is checked on a regular basis to ensure that it is still in good condition. Particular things to look out for include film that is scratched, torn, peeling away from the window, or milky or opaque in colour. If you are concerned about the condition of safety filming, or there are areas of glazing that should be filmed, you should contact your Area Building Surveyor who will arrange to get the film checked and replaced.

Further advice and guidance

For further advice and guidance on these notes or any other aspect of undertaking building projects on County Council owned buildings please contact your Area Building Surveyor or Dan Raymond, Corporate Surveyor, Property Services, County Hall, Taunton, telephone 01823 355883.

Related Documents
Corporate Property Standards and Guidance Replacement windows and doors.

Corporate Property Standards and Guidance - Safety Glazing Standards Issue 4 March 2007