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8.4

Part 8.4 Glazing human impact

Part 8.4 Glazing human impact

(1) Part 8.4 applies subject to the limitations set out in H1D8(1).

(2) Part 8.4 need not be complied with if H1D8(3) is complied with.

(3) The thickness and type of glazing installed in areas of a building that have a high potential for human impact (an area of a building frequented by the occupants during everyday activities in which a person could fall into or against the glazed panel) must comply as follows:

  1. Doors — in accordance with 8.4.2.
  2. Door side panels — in accordance with 8.4.3.
  3. Full height glass panels — in accordance with 8.4.4.
  4. Glazed panels, other than doors or side panels, on the perimeter of rooms — in accordance with 8.4.5.
  5. Bathrooms, ensuite and spa room glazing — in accordance with 8.4.6.
  6. Visibility of glazing — in accordance with 8.4.7.
  7. Identification of safety glass — in accordance with 8.4.8.

Glass in doors must be Grade A safety glazing material in accordance with Table 8.4.2 and Figure 8.4.2, except that—

  1. unframed doors, other than those incorporated in shower screens or bath enclosures, must be glazed with toughened safety glass with a minimum nominal thickness of 10 mm or laminated toughened safety glass with a minimum total thickness of 10 mm; and
  2. individual pieces of monolithic annealed glass incorporated in leadlights may be used, to a maximum area of 0.05 m2 with a minimum nominal thickness of 3 mm; and
  3. for annealed and annealed decorated glass panels in doors—
    1. for 3 mm and 4 mm annealed glass, the maximum area must not be more than 0.1 m2 with a maximum panel width of 125 mm; and
    2. for 5 mm and 6 mm annealed glass, the maximum area must not be more than 0.26 m2 with a maximum panel width of 300 mm; and
  4. for annealed glass in fully framed panels with a thickness of 10 mm or more, with or without bevelled edges, the maximum area must not be more than 0.5 m2; and
  5. doors in bathrooms, ensuites and spa rooms must be glazed in accordance with 8.4.6.
Table 8.4.2 Maximum areas of glazing material for framed glass doors, framed glass side panels and other framed glazed panels
Type of glass Minimum nominal thickness (mm) Maximum area of pane (m2)
Patterned or clear monolithic annealed glass 5 0.3
Patterned or clear monolithic annealed glass 6 0.9
Grade A toughened and toughened laminated safety glass 3 1
Grade A toughened and toughened laminated safety glass 4 2
Grade A toughened and toughened laminated safety glass 5 3
Grade A toughened and toughened laminated safety glass 6 4
Grade A laminated safety glass 5.38 2.2
Grade A laminated safety glass 6.38 3
Grade A laminated safety glass 8.38 5
Figure 8.4.2 Identification of glazing requirements for doors and side panels
image-8-4-2-identification-of-glazing-requirements-for-doors-and-side-panels.svg
Figure Notes

For door and side panel glazing areas – see Table 8.4.2.

Explanatory information

Larger areas of monolithic annealed glass in leadlights are not permitted regardless of glass thickness.

(1) All framed glass (except leadlight panels) in side panels with their nearest vertical sight line less than 300 mm from the nearest edge of the doorway opening must be Grade A safety glazing material in accordance with Table 8.4.2 and Figure 8.4.2, except that—

  1. where the lowest visible sight line is more than 1.2 m above the highest abutting finished floor level, monolithic annealed glass with a minimum thickness of 5 mm and an area of not more than 0.3 m2 may be used; or
  2. where the lowest visible sight line is more than1.2 m above the highest abutting finished floor level, monolithic annealed glass with a minimum thickness of 10 mm with an area of not more than 0.5 m2, may be used; or
  3. where the side panel consists of glass louvres with exposed edges or where the louvres are installed less than 500 mm above the highest abutting finished floor level—
    1. for blade widths not more than 230 mm with blade lengths not more than 1 m, Grade A toughened safety glazing not less than 5 mm thick must be used; and
    2. for blade widths more than 230 mm, Grade A toughened safety glazing not less than 10 mm thick must be used.

(2) Framed glass panels with the nearest vertical sight line not less than 300 mm from the nearest edge of the door opening are not considered to be side panels for the purposes of (1).

(1) A glazed panel located in a building so that it is capable of being mistaken for an unobstructed opening must be glazed with Grade A safety glazing material in accordance with Table 8.4.2.

(2) Glazed panels are not considered an unobstructed opening where any of the following apply:

  1. The clear opening width is not more than 500 mm.
  2. The lowest sight line of the opening is not less than 500 mm above the highest abutting finished floor level.
  3. The glass is made apparent by means of transoms, colonial bars, other components of the glazing system, permanent motifs or other decorative treatment on or etched into the glass, of sufficient magnitude to be readily apparent, or the glass is opaquely coloured or patterned to indicate its presence.
  4. A chair rail or handrail not less than 40 mm thick, or the like, is provided at a height of not less than 700 mm above the adjoining ground level.
  5. The difference in floor level on either side of the panel is greater than 1000 mm.

All framed glazing where the lowest sight line of the glazing panel is less than 500 mm from the highest abutting finished floor level (see Figure 8.4.5) must be—

  1. Grade A safety glazing material in accordance with Table 8.4.2; or
  2. monolithic annealed glass not less than 5 mm nominal thickness provided that the area of the glazing panel is not more than 1.2 m2.
Figure 8.4.5 Identification of glazing requirements for glazed panels
image-8-4-5-identification-of-glazing-requirements-for-glazed-panels.svg

(1) All glazing in kitchens, bathrooms, ensuites, spa rooms or the like, including shower doors, shower screens, bath enclosures, and associated windows and doors (including cabinet doors), where the lowest sight line is less than 2.0 m above the highest abutting finished level of the floor, bottom of the bath, or shower base, must—

  1. for framed panels, be glazed with Grade A safety glazing material in accordance with Table 8.4.2; or
  2. for panels or doors with any edge exposed, be toughened safety glass in accordance with Table 8.4.6 with a minimum nominal thickness of 6 mm.

(2) Monolithic annealed glass may be used for—

  1. mirrors, provided a fixed vanity or bench with a height of not less than 760 mm, depth of not less than 300 mm and extending the full width of the mirror is, located in front of the mirror; or
  2. splash-backs, provided it is fully backed by and continuously adhered to a solid wall material or a fixed cabinet or bench that is—
    1. a height not less than 760 mm; and
    2. a depth not less than 300 mm; and
    3. extending the full width of the splash-back; and
    4. located in front of the splash back.
Table 8.4.6 Maximum areas of safety glazing materials for shower doors, shower screens and bath enclosures
Type of glass Standard nominal thickness (mm) Maximum area of pane (m2) Area (Figure 8.4.6)
Safety organic coated glass 3 1 A, B, C, D
Safety organic coated glass 4 1.5 A, B, C, D
Safety organic coated glass 5 2 A, B, C, D
Safety organic coated glass ≥ 6 3 A, B, C, D
Figure 8.4.6 Identification of glazing requirements for bathrooms, ensuites and spa rooms
image-8-4-6-identification-of-glazing-requirements-for-bathrooms-ensuites-and-spas.svg

Explanatory information

Care should be taken when using showers fitted with safety organic-coated glass and laminated safety glass products that are liable to damage from thermal shock. Thermal shock occurs from hot water from the shower hitting the shower screen during cold weather.

The requirements for glass splashbacks used near gas appliances are covered in AS/NZS 5601.

(1) If the presence of glazing in a door, side panel or panel capable of being mistaken for a doorway or opening is not made apparent in accordance with 8.4.4(2)(c), the glass must be marked to make it readily visible in accordance with (2).

(2) Marking must be in the form of an opaque band not less than 20 mm in height located so that—

  1. the upper edge is not less than 700 mm above the floor; and
  2. the lower edge is not more than 1.2 m above the floor.

(3) A band or marking is not required where any of the following applies:

  1. The height of the glazing is not more than 1 m in any part.
  2. The width of the glazing panel is not more than 500 mm in any part.
  3. There is no glazing within 500 mm of the floor.
  4. The glazing is provided with not less than one fixed glazing bar which must—
    1. be firmly attached to the stiles to locate and protect each face of the glass; and
    2. be located with its upper edge not less than 500 mm and its bottom edge not more than 1 m above the floor; and
    3. have a face width not less than 40 mm.

Explanatory information

  • Making the glass visible by marking is not a substitute for the use of safety glazing in accordance with this Part.
  • A broken line or patterns may be an acceptable form of marking provided it meets the criteria set out in 8.4.7(2).

All safety glazing material in Tables 8.4.2 and Table 8.4.6 installed in accordance with this Part must comply with the following:

  1. Safety glass must be marked in the form of either permanent etching or a label that cannot be reused once removed.
  2. The permanent etching or label must state the following information:
    1. The Standard to which the safety glass has been tested.
    2. Registered name of the manufacturer or supplier.
    3. Grade of the safety glass.
    4. Nominal thickness of the safety glass.
    5. The type of safety glass.

Explanatory information

The labelling of safety glass is not intended to remain after completion of construction. Labelling complying with 8.4.8 should remain in place on safety glass to allow relevant practitioners to confirm and certify that the correct type of safety glass has been installed in a specific area of the building.

If a label is able to be removed from the glass, it must be comprised of a material that self-destructs upon removal so as to prevent it being reused on other glass panels.

The type of safety glass can be identified in a way that describes the type used such as “L” for laminated glass or “T” for toughened glass, etc.