Safety Glass

There are two main types of safety glass:

1.   Toughened glass, which is up to five times stronger than normal annealed glass of the same thickness. If broken, it shatters into many tiny fragments that do not have razor sharp edges and hence reduce the risk of personal injury.

2.   Laminated glass, which is produced by combining layers of glass with plastic or resin interlayers to form sandwiches of material. If laminated glass is hit, the outer layer of glass may crack but the broken pieces will stick firmly to the central plastic layer. There will be no dangerous splinters of glass and because the glass remains in one piece, your home is secure. Laminated glass withstands repeated blows from heavy objects such as bricks, hammers, crowbars and similar hand-held heavy objects.

The following comprise the six most common areas of risk, where it is recommended that safety glass to BS6206 be installed:

Glazed doors
The glass comes within 1500mm from floor level.
6mm annealed glass can be used in small panes.
Small panes have one dimension < 250mm and have an area < 0.5 sq metres.

Glazing adjacent to doors
In panes which are within 300mm from the door edge and 1500mm from floor level. 6mm annealed glass can be used in small panes.

Low level glazing
Below 800mm from floor level. 6mm annealed glass can be used in small panes.

Bathroom areas
Bath or shower screens, or whenever there is any risk of slipping on wet surfaces.

Protective barriers
Balconies and balustrades on stairways and landings.

Furniture and cabinets
Tables, trolleys, cabinets, shelving systems and wall-hung or freestanding mirrors.