Glass Safety (Structure / Barriers)

Of recent times, the standards and building codes have changed to reflect the increased barrier loading requirements for glass and supporting structures used in and around buildings. 

These revised standards address any structure and infill materiel that protects a fall where there is a finished floor differential of greater than 1 mtr.

This is best fully explained in the following document from the  Department of Building and Housing 'Guidance on Barrier Design' and can be downloaded from the following link. Guidance on Barrier Design - March 2012 also refer to the GANZ (Glass Association of New Zealand) 'Technical Data Sheet Glazing safeguarding a Fall of 1 meter or more - December 2011'

Additionally as noted in the above downloadable documents this applies to balustrading (internal and external) The below excerpt from the code AS/NZ 1170.1:2002 provides the following ratings particular to building use - once the space is defined this provides a means to calculate the appropriated engineering to resist the proposed loads;

• C1/C2 – Areas with tables or fixed seating - Areas with fixed seating adjacent to a balustrade, restaurants, bars etc.
  
• C3 – Areas without obstacles for moving people and not susceptible to overcrowding – Stairs, landings external balconies, edges of roofs, etc.
  
• C5 - Areas susceptible to overcrowding – Theaters, cinemas, grandstands, discotheques, bars, auditoria, shopping malls (see also D), assembly areas, studios, etc.
  
• D - Retail areas – All retail areas including public areas of banks / building societies, (see C5 for areas where overcrowding may occur)

Through the design evaluation process that can be undertaken with one of Thermosash's technical support team - these areas can be identified and calculated accordingly and manufactured and installed as a complying design. Often once analysed, Thermosash can integrate any additional safety factor into the suite therefore often requiring no further elements to provide the level of safety required of these new life safety codes.