The use of glass in the building industry is governed by Building Regulations, and British Standard [BS] tests, of which the following are arguably the most important for internal usage, although as they are being constantly updated can never be complete.
Part E Resistance to passage of sound
Part N Glazing- materials protection
Part K Stairs, ramps and guards
Part P Miscellaneous hazards
Part S Stairs ramps and barriers
Part B Fire Safety
Part A 1992 Structure
Part B 1992 Fire Safety
Part V Glazing
Part H Stairs ramps and barriers
BS EN 572 Glass in Building - Soda lime monolithic
BS EN 12543 Glass in Building - Laminated
BS 952 Glass for glazing
BS 6180 :1999 Code of practice for protective barriers in and about buildings.
BS 6206:1981 Specification for impact performance requirements, for flat safety glass and plastics.
BS 6262:1982 Glazing for buildings Pt 4 human impact.
BS476-Pt 6, 7 and 22 Fire tests on buildings materials and structures
BS2750 Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements
BS5234 Code of practice for design and installation
In order to bring these regulations together in a relatively easy to understand form, the following tables and sketches have been compiled in an attempt to create a ‘quick guide’ to selecting a suitable glazing system.
Annealed glass with PVB bonded laminate
Laminate Min thickness 0.38mm
6.4mm Class B BS6206
8.8mm Class A BS6206
10.8mm Class A BS6206
12.8mm Class A BS6206
Annealed Glass with PVB bonded laminate
Laminate Minimum thickness1.52mm
7.5mm Class A BS6206
9.5mm Class A BS6206
11.5mm Class A BS6206
13.5mm Class A BS6206
Integrity and Radiation reducing nom 7mm Class C BS6206
Up to 30 minutes integrity and 20 minutes insulation
12-52mm Class A BS6206 up to 120 minutes Integrity & Insulation
Clear Monolithic Soda-Lime
4-25mm wired or toughened for general glazing use including Fire rating primarily up to 30 minutes Integrity Class C to A BS6206
6-12mm fire rating up to 120 minutes Integrity Class A BS6206