CEN/TS 19100-4:2024

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2024
Projektiranje steklenih konstrukcij - 4. del: Določitev konfiguracije stekla glede na
nevarnost poškodb - Navodilo za specifikacijo
Design of glass structures - Part 4: Glass selection relating to the risk of human injury -
Guidance for specification
Bemessung und Konstruktion von Bauteilen aus Glas - Teil 4: Bestimmung der
Glaskonfiguration in Abhängigkeit des Verletzungsrisikos - Leitfaden zum Erstellen von
Regeln
Conception et calcul des structures en verre - Partie 4: Choix des vitrages en fonction du
risque de blessure - Guide pour les spécifications
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 19100-4:2024
ICS:
81.040.20 Steklo v gradbeništvu Glass in building
91.080.99 Druge konstrukcije Other structures
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TS 19100-4
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
March 2024
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 81.040.20; 91.080.99
English Version
Design of glass structures - Part 4: Glass selection relating
to the risk of human injury - Guidance for specification
Conception et calcul des structures en verre - Partie 4 : Bemessung und Konstruktion von Bauteilen aus Glas -
Sélection du verre en fonction du risque de blessure - Teil 4: Bestimmung der Glaskonfiguration in
Document d'orientation pour les spécifications Abhängigkeit des Verletzungsrisikos - Leitfaden zum
Erstellen von Regeln
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 29 January 2024 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to
submit their comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS
available promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in
parallel to the CEN/TS) until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 19100-4:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
0 Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions and symbols . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions . 7
3.2 Symbols . 9
4 Possible content of the Specifications . 11
5 Basic notions . 12
5.1 Type of occupancy and/or type of buildings . 12
5.2 Mode of breakage of glass . 12
5.3 Types of safety glass . 13
5.3.1 General. 13
5.3.2 Additional considerations for thermally toughened safety glass . 13
5.3.3 Laminated safety glass made of thermally treated glass plies . 14
5.4 Accessible glass edges . 14
6 Vertical glazing . 15
6.1 Protection from the risk of injury in the event of a collision with glazed element . 15
6.1.1 General requirements . 15
6.1.2 Additional requirements related to the type of glazed element . 20
6.1.3 Additional considerations related to the mode of fixing . 21
6.2 Prevention of the risk of person falling through or over a glazed element . 22
6.2.1 General requirements . 22
6.2.2 Additional requirements related to the type of glazed element . 24
6.2.3 Additional considerations related to the mode of fixing . 27
6.3 Protection against the risk of accidental fall of glass fragments . 29
6.3.1 General requirements . 29
6.3.2 Additional requirements related to the type of glazed element . 30
6.3.3 Additional considerations related to the mode of fixing . 30
7 Non-vertical glazing . 32
7.1 Protection from the risk of injury in the event of a collision with glazed element . 32
7.1.1 General requirements . 32
7.1.2 Additional requirements related to the type of glazed element . 33
7.1.3 Additional considerations related to the mode of fixing . 33
7.2 Prevention of the risk of person falling through a glazed element . 33
7.2.1 General requirements . 33
7.2.2 Additional requirements related to the type of glazed element . 34
7.2.3 Additional considerations related to the mode of fixing . 34
7.3 Protection against the risk of accidental fall of glass fragments . 35
7.3.1 General requirements . 35
7.3.2 Additional requirements related to the type of glazed element . 36
7.3.3 Additional considerations related to the mode of fixing . 36
Annex A (informative) Suggested values for the quantities used in this document . 38
A.1 Use of this annex . 38
A.2 Suggested values for the quantities used in this document . 38
A.3 Suggested values for the quantities used in Annex C . 39
Annex B (informative) Examples of choice of type of glass . 40
B.1 Use of this annex . 40
B.2 Possible table of glass to be used in several applications . 40
Annex C (informative) Possible guidance for guarding design . 45
C.1 Use of this annex . 45
C.2 Space between guarding components . 45
C.3 Limitations on the guarding protrusion . 46
C.4 Normal and temporary standing zones . 48
C.5 Drop between the normal standing zone and the guarding. 51
C.6 Differences in the level of the normal standing zone . 51
Bibliography . 53
European foreword
This document (CEN/TS 19100-4:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 250
“Structural Eurocodes”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI. CEN/TC 250 is responsible for all
Structural Eurocodes and has been assigned responsibility for structural and geotechnical design matters
by CEN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This Technical Specification has been drafted to be used in conjunction with relevant execution, material,
product and test standards, and to identify requirements for execution, materials, products and testing
that are relied upon by this document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
0 Introduction
0.1 Introduction to CEN/TS 19100-4
This document is based on several European documents covering the choice of appropriate glazing for
the protection against injuries and falling, e.g. national standards, national building codes, professional
association recommendations, etc.
The aim of this guidance is to assist experts who want to write new safety Specifications or to revise
existing ones, whatever the type of document. It does not pretend to be exhaustive.
The values given are examples only and are based on different practices in Europe. Experts using this
guidance are free to choose other values.
In the same spirit, they can also take all or only some of the topics covered in this document and can add
requirements for situations not considered here.
0.2 Verbal forms used in the Eurocodes
The verb “shall” expresses a requirement strictly to be followed and from which no deviation is permitted
in order to comply with the Eurocodes.
The verb “should” expresses a highly recommended choice or course of action. Subject to national
regulation and/or any relevant contractual provisions, alternative approaches could be used/adopted
where technically justified.
The verb “may” expresses a course of action permissible within the limits of the Eurocodes.
The verb “can” expresses possibility and capability; it is used for statements of fact and clarification of
concepts.
1 Scope
(1) This document provides guidance for the development or improvement of rules deemed to help with
the choosing of appropriate glazing for protection against injuries and falling, hereafter called “the
Specifications”. The Specifications to be written or revised can be a national regulation, a national
standard, recommendations from a professional association, requirements for a particular project, etc.
(2) This document deals with the choice of the mode of breakage (see 5.2) with regard to the safety of
people against:
— the risk of injury in the event of a collision with a glazed element, e.g. a partition,
— the risk of falling through or over a glazed element, e.g. a balustrade, and
— the risk of accidental falling of glass fragments on people not having caused the breakage, e.g. an
overhead glazing.
(3) These risks can be evaluated in the function of a normal use of the building or construction work. This
includes use by the elderly, children and people with disabilities, but excludes deliberate risk taking. It
presupposes a rational and responsible behaviour of the users or, in case of children, of those responsible
for supervising them.
(4) The information contained in this document can be used to define minimum glass configuration. It
does not exempt from the verification according to CEN/TS 19100-1 and CEN/TS 19100-2 and where
appropriate CEN/TS 19100-3.
(5) Safety against burglary, vandalism, bullet attack, explosion, exposition to fire and seismic actions are
not covered in this document. Preventing these risks needs further appropriate requirements.
(6) This document does not apply to the following glass products:
— glass blocks and paver units;
— channel-shaped glass.
(7) It also does not apply to the following applications:
— escalators and moving walkway;
— lifts;
— accesses to machinery;
— animal enclosures and aquariums;
— greenhouses and agricultural installations;
— temporary scaffolds.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE See the Bibliography for a list of other documents cited that are not normative references, including those
referenced as recommendations (i.e. in ‘should’ clauses), permissions (‘may’ clauses), possibilities ('can' clauses),
and in notes.
CEN/TS 19100-1, Design of glass structures — Part 1: Basis of design and materials
CEN/TS 19100-2, Design of glass structures — Part 2: Design of out-of-plane loaded glass components
CEN/TS 19100-3, Design of glass structures — Part 3: Design of in-plane loaded glass components and their
mechanical joints
EN 356, Glass in building — Security glazing — Testing and classification of resistance against manual
attack
EN 12150-1, Glass in building — Thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass — Part 1: Definition
and description
EN 12488, Glass in building — Glazing recommendations — Assembly principles for vertical and sloping
glazing
EN 12600, Glass in building — Pendulum test — Impact test method and classification for flat glass
EN 14179-1, Glass in building — Heat soaked thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass — Part 1:
Definition and description
EN ISO 12543-1, Glass in building — Laminated glass and laminated safety glass — Part 1: Vocabulary and
description of component parts (ISO 12543-1)
3 Terms, definitions and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 12600, EN 356, EN 12150-1,
EN 14179-1, EN ISO 12543-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org
3.1.1
safety glass
glass which remains unbroken, or achieves a specified resistance, or fails in a prescribed manner when
tested in accordance with a relevant technical standard
3.1.2
impact side
side of the glazing where an impact can occur, necessitating appropriate measures to ensure the safety of
the people
Note 1 to entry: This impact can be from a human body, an object, etc.
Note 2 to entry: Depending on the location, both sides can be impacted.
3.1.3
vertical glazing
glazing ranging from a vertical position to ±15° from the vertical
Note 1 to entry: Some countries restrict the angle to ±10° from the vertical.
3.1.4
non-vertical glazing
glazing not corresponding to definition 3.1.3
Note 1 to entry: Examples of non-vertical glazings are floors, roofs accessible or not, canopies, inwardly and
outwardly sloping glazings, ceilings.
Note 2 to entry: When the height of the glazing is such that its projection on the horizontal plane extends over e.g.
50 cm, the glazing can be treated as non-vertical glazing even when the angle is smaller than ±15° from the vertical.
3.1.5
guarding
permanent element of building or structure intended to prevent persons from falling and to retain, stop
or guide them
3.1.6
sill
bottom member of a window frame
3.1.7
manifestation of glazing
provisions intended to make the glazing visible in order to avoid accidental collisions
3.1.8
normal standing zone
zone mainly horizontal where people can stand without any help
3.1.9
temporary standing zone
zone where people can only completely stand for a limited period of time and usually with the help of at
least one hand
3.2 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the symbols given in Table 1 apply.
Table 1 — Symbols
Related
Symbols Definitions figures,
if any
7, 8, 9 (C.6,
b minimum guarding height measured from the normal standing zone level
h
C.8, C.9)
b reduced value of b in case of thick guarding 8
he h
height of the critical zone adjacent to a door and including that door,
d 1, 3, 11
h
measured from the finished floor level on the side of possible impact
d value of the critical surface of a glazed element in a framed door 11
s
width of the critical zone adjacent to a door and including that door,
d measured from the vertical edge of the doorway on the side of possible 1, 3
w
impact
e thickness of the guarding measured at the height b from the floor 8
b h
critical value of the difference between the finished floor levels on both
f 2, 4, 6
h
sides of a glazed element
critical value of the difference between the finished floor level of a
f 11
s
landing and the finished floor level at the bottom of the stairs below it
minimum height for landing guarding measured from the normal
l 10
h
standing zone level
critical landing length measured from a landing door to the nosing of the
l 11
L
a
first tread
height of the critical zone in case of a glazed element mounted against a
m none
h
rigid backing, measured from the finished floor level
value of the critical surface of a glazed element mounted against a rigid
m none
s
backing
height of the critical zone measured from the finished floor level on the
ph 1, 3, 4, 6, 9
side of possible impact
r recommended handrail height none
h
a
s Minimum height of the guarding measured from the nosing of the treads 10
h
v zone of lower visual manifestation of glazing 5
L
vU zone of upper visual manifestation of glazing 5
difference between the finished floor levels on both sides of a glazed
Δf 4, 6
element in the real situation
a
This also applies to ramps.
NOTE 1 Annex A, Table A.1 gives suggested values for quantities defined by the symbols above.
In case the Specifications cover also the topics given in Annex C, the symbols given in Table 2 also apply.
Table 2 — Additional symbols used in Annex C only
Related
Symbols Definitions figures
(if any)
threshold distance between the projection of the most protruding part of
a C.5, C.7
the guarding to the standing zone, and the nose of this standing zone
minimum guarding height measured from the temporary standing zone
b C.6
ht
level
maximum distance between the normal standing zone and the bottom of
g C.1, C.3
the guarding
threshold height of the possible gap between the bottom of the guarding
g C.5, C.7
t
(excluding its supports) and the standing zone
maximum vertical distance between elements in the upper part of the
h C.1
guarding
maximum distance between the stringer and the bottom of the stairs’
i C.2
guarding
maximum distance between the nosing of the tread and the bottom of the
j C.2
stair’s’ guarding
k maximum horizontal distance between the guarding and the floor slab C.3
maximum horizontal distance between two consecutive guarding’s
u C.1, C.2,
elements
w drop width C.8
x normal standing zone levels’ difference threshold C.9
y requested prolongation of the guarding C.9
threshold height of the standing zone measured from a normal standing
z C.5, C.6, C.7
h
zone
length of the zone below which it is not possible to stand, even
z C.5, C.7
l,1
temporarily
length of the zone above which the zone is considered as a normal
z C.5, C.6, C.7
l,2
standing zone, under certain conditions
width of the zone below which it is not possible to stand, even
z C.5, C.7
w,1
temporarily
width of the zone above which the zone is considered as a normal
zw,2 C.5, C.6, C.7
standing zone, under certain conditions
⌀d maximum diameter of the reference sphere C.4
NOTE 2 Annex A, Table A.2 gives suggested values for quantities defined by the symbols above.
4 Possible content of the Specifications
(1) In order to give a structure to the possible content of the Specifications, separate sections are made
for vertical glazing and non-vertical glazing.
NOTE Floors and roofs are both treated in Clause 7 due to the fact that a glazed floor can be a roof for the space
below and a roof can also be accessible for maintenance and repair.
(2) The safety aspects that can be covered are presented following the 3 main types of risks to consider:
— risk of injuries in the event of a collision with a glazed element;
— risk of falling through or over a glazed element;
— risk of injuries in the event of accidental fall of glass fragments.
(3) Both sides of the glazing shall be considered to evaluate the possible existence of a risk.
(4) Different levels of details are possible for the requirements, see Table 3.
(5) The Specifications can deal with all levels of details or be limited to the general requirements. The
organization of the chapters of the Specifications should not necessarily follow the one of this guidance.
(6) The scope of the Specifications can select only some of the topics covered by this guidance and it can
also cover additional situations.
(7) Exceptions or deviations can be foreseen in case of renovation of cultural heritage.
(8) Impact tests on the complete element or on an element representative of it, including fixations, can
be requested by the Specifications, respecting the post fracture limit state verification of CEN/TS 19100-1
CEN/TS 19100-2 and CEN/TS 19100-3.
(9) The Specifications can also give a table with glass configurations allowed without testing, associated
with maximal dimensions and installation conditions.
(10) Where general standard or building code dealing with safety are applicable, the Specifications shall
not contradict them, unless the aim is to revise or replace them.
Table 3 — Possible levels of details for the requirements
Additional Additional
General requirements considerations
Type of risk
requirements related to the type related to the
of glazed element mode of fixing
Vertical glazing
Collision with a glazed element 6.1.1 6.1.2 6.1.3
Falling through or over a glazed
6.2.1 6.2.2 6.2.3
element
Accidental fall of glass fragments 6.3.1 6.3.2 6.3.3
Non-vertical glazing
Collision with a glazed element 7.1.1 7.1.2 7.1.3
Falling through a glazed element 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.3
Accidental fall of glass fragments 7.3.1 7.3.2 7.3.3
(11) For each type of risk and level of requirements, a distinction can be made depending on the type of
occupancy, see 5.1.
5 Basic notions
5.1 Type of occupancy and/or type of buildings
(1) Requirements can differ according to the type of occupancy or the type of building. The Specifications
shall precise whether several categories are considered or not, and shall clearly define them.
(2) Examples of categories are:
— categories of use of areas as defined in EN 1991-1-1;
— distinction between private and public indoor spaces (accessible to undefined public or not);
— distinction between private and public outdoor spaces (accessible to undefined public or not);
— distinction between low or high rise buildings;
— nationally defined occupancy categories (dwellings, offices, schools, sport hall, swimming pools,
etc…).
(3) Differentiations can also be made by location in the building (ground floor, floors above a certain
level…).
5.2 Mode of breakage of glass
(1) Three modes of glass breakage are described in EN 12600 and can be related to specific types of
glazing provided that they fulfil the requirements of their corresponding product standard:
— Type A – mode of breakage typical of annealed glass, heat strengthened glass, or chemically
strengthened glass;
— Type B – mode of breakage typical of laminated glass, but also achieved by some wired glass or by
applying appropriate adhesive safety films on appropriate type of glass;
— Type C – mode of breakage typical of thermally toughened glass and heat soaked thermally
toughened glass.
(2) The classification of the glass shall be established by testing according to EN 12600. The list above is
given for the ease of the user and does not prejudge the results.
(3) When a requirement is expressed in terms of a class according to EN 12600, the first glass thickness
meeting the requirements of the prescribed class is the minimum thickness.
(4) Resistance and robustness evaluation shall be performed according to CEN/TS 19100 parts 1 to 3.
(5) Depending on the application or on the type of glazed element, there may be a need for redundancy.
Annex B gives examples of choice of glass in function of their mode of breakage for several types of
applications.
5.3 Types of safety glass
5.3.1 General
(1) The different types of safety glass products that can be considered are as follow:
— Laminated safety glass according to EN ISO 12543-1 and EN ISO 12543-2. Compliance with
EN ISO 12543-2 requests the laminated glass being classified according to EN 12600;
— Thermally toughened glass, with or without enamel:
— Thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass according to EN 12150-1;
— Thermally toughened borosilicate safety glass according to EN 13024-1;
— Thermally toughened alkaline earth silicate safety glass according to EN 14321-1;
— Heat soaked thermally toughened glass, with or without enamel:
— Heat soaked thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass according to EN 14179-1;
— Heat soaked thermally toughened alkaline earth silicate safety glass according to EN 15682-1;
— Insulating glass units according to EN 1279-1 made of one or more of the above-mentioned glass
products, provided that the safety glass pane(s) is (are) correctly orientated with regards to the risk;
— Adhesive backed polymeric safety film according to EN 15752-1, when correctly applied on the
whole surface of an appropriate glass product and when successfully tested according to EN 12600,
can ensure or increase the safety of the glass on which it is applied.
— Safety backed mirror and safety backed painted glass (EN standard in preparation), when correctly
applied on the whole surface of the mirror or painted glass and when successfully tested according
to EN 12600, may be considered as safety glasses for use in certain applications.
(2) The colour of the glass, the possible coatings or an acid etched surface have no influence on the safety
performance. Sandblasting a safety glass can lead to the need of reassessing the safety characteristics.
(3) Annealed glass of any chemical composition, chemically treated soda lime silicate glass (see
EN 12337-1) and heat strengthened soda lime silicate glass (see EN 1863-1), when used as monolithic
glass, are not considered as safety glasses.
NOTE In some countries and under specific conditions, annealed float glass of defined minimum thickness can
be used in applications subjected to safety requirements.
(4) Appropriate bonding of an annealed glass (e.g. a mirror or a painted glass) against a rigid support (e.g.
a wall, a partition…) can ensure safety in case of impact by holding the fragments in place, see 6.1.3.5.
(5) The user of this document can decide to restrict the use or to exclude some glass types listed above
from the Specifications under elaboration.
5.3.2 Additional considerations for thermally toughened safety glass
(1) Nickel sulphide inclusion is a rare, but naturally occurring impurity potentially present in all glass
that can, in certain circumstances, lead to spontaneous breakage of thermally toughened glass.
(2) To reduce the risk of toughened glass spontaneously breaking due to the presence of critical nickel
sulphide (NiS) inclusions in the glass, it is advisable to perform an additional heat treatment known as
the heat-soak process (see EN 14179-1).
(3) This is a destructive process which eliminates the majority of the thermally toughened glass that is at
risk. While the technique cannot eliminate totally the glass that contains nickel sulphide inclusions, the
risk of breakage is considerably reduced.
(4) This treatment is recommended for all situations where the stability of the structure and the safety
of users can be jeopardized in case of glass breakage. The risk of broken fragments remaining stuck
together and forming a larger and heavier element may also be considered. Heat soak treatment is also
recommended when the replacement of broken thermally toughened glass is difficult or costly due to its
location.
5.3.3 Laminated safety glass made of thermally treated glass plies
(1) Thermally toughened safety glass can be necessary to increase mechanical resistance or to prevent
the risk of thermal breakage. When all plies of the laminated glass are thermally toughened, attention
should be paid to the risk of collapse in case of accidental breakage of all glass plies (wet towel effect).
The risk shall be evaluated in function of the boundary conditions (framed/unframed edges, cantilever,
punctual fixing, size of the laminated glass, expected temperatures in service…).
(2) Possible laminated safety glass configurations to mitigate that risk are:
— the use of stiff interlayers (e.g. ionomer, stiff PVB or stiff EVA interlayers) to bond the thermally
treated plies;
— the use of at least one heat strengthened glass in the laminated glass configuration;
— redundancy, e.g. the use at least 3 plies among which any 2 shall be sufficient to carry the loads.
(3) Fixing system might need to be adapted.
5.4 Accessible glass edges
(1) Unframed glass edges, when accessible, shall at least have their edges arrissed. Types of edge working
of thermally treated glass are given in the appropriate product standard, e.g. EN 12150-1, EN 14179-1,
EN 1863-1, etc. For laminated glass, it is given in EN ISO 12543-5. In case of insulating glass unit, the
requirements related to the glass edge is applicable to each accessible pane that constitute the glazing.
(2) Alternatively, accessible edges can be permanently covered by e.g. a metal or plastic strip to protect
them against damage or breakage and to prevent the risk of injuries by cutting.
(3) Accessible corners should be made blunt or protected to mitigate the risk of injury.
(4) Glass elements with protruding corners should be avoided.
(5) Care should be taken to reduce the risk of finger entrapment in the space between two consecutive
glass panes with free edges. This space can be filled with a seal, or can be such that a probe of diameter
8 mm (simulating children finger) or of diameter 12 mm or 18 mm, do not enter or can be removed with
a force lower than 50 N.
6 Vertical glazing
6.1 Protection from the risk of injury in the event of a collision with glazed element
6.1.1 General requirements
6.1.1.1 Quantities relevant to express safety requirements
(1) The Specifications shall define basic quantities used to express the safety requirements.
(2) Due to the risk of accidental impact and the possible consequences in case of glass breakage, a critical
zone is generally defined by its height measured from the finish floor level, p , see Figure 1. In that zone,
h
the risk of impact shall be evaluated and the use of safety glass is generally requested.
(3) Around a door, a critical zone may be defined by a different height, d , and by the width of that zone
h
d , see Figure 1. In the absence of definition of a zone around a door, the requirements of the general
w
critical zone apply.
Key
ph height of the critical zone measured from the finished floor level on the side of possible impact
dh height of the critical zone adjacent to a door and including that door, measured from the finished floor level
on the side of possible impact
d width of the critical zone adjacent to a door and including that door, measured from the vertical edge of the
w
doorway on the side of possible impact
Figure 1 — Example of critical zones
(4) In addition, the floor level difference on both sides of the glazed element shall also be considered.
Indeed, it will determine whether or not the risk of falling through or over the glass element shall be
assessed according to 6.2. The critical value of the difference between the finished floor levels on both
sides of a glazed element is defined as f , see Figure 2.
h
Key
fh critical value of the difference between the finished floor levels on both sides of a glazed element
Figure 2 — Example of critical floor levels difference expression
NOTE In some countries, f is expressed as the difference between the sill of the glazing and the finished floor
h
level of the fall side. In this document, for sake of simplification, only the first definition is considered as it is the
most often used in Europe.
(5) In some project situations, the risk shall be evaluated in the opposite direction or in both of them.
NOTE The direction to which the risk has to be assessed is not necessarily from the inside to the outside of a
room.
(6) The quantities p , d , d and f can keep the same value whatever the situation or they can depend on:
h h w h
— The type of occupancy, see 5.1;
— The value of another quantity, for instance p being greater when f is above a certain threshold value;
h h
— The type of glazed elements.
(7) Table A.1 gives the usual ranges within which the values of the quantities can be chosen.
6.1.1.2 Glazing not installed in a critical zone
(1) In case the sill height is equal to or greater than p , see Figure 3, it is usually considered that the risk
h
of accidental glass breakage is low. In that case, the difference between floor levels f is not considered.
h
Key
p height of the critical zone measured from the finished floor level on the side of possible impact
h
dh height of the critical zone adjacent to a door and including that door, measured from the finished floor level
on the side of possible impact
d width of the critical zone adjacent to a door and including that door, measured from the vertical edge of the
w
doorway on the side of possible impact
Figure 3 — Glazing not in a critical zone
(2) The use of annealed glass is generally accepted, whether as monolithic pane or as component of an
insulating glass unit (IGU).
(3) The Specifications can also consider the following:
a) In some locations where the risk of accidental impact is high, e.g. sport facilities, playground of
schools, psychiatric hospitals, etc., the use of safety glass can be mandatory even when the glass is
not in a critical zone.
b) In case of pane dimensions above a certain limit (to be defined in the Specifications), the use of safety
glass may be requested even when the glazing is not in a critical zone.
c) In some countries, the use of safety glass is mandatory whatever the application and the category of
use of the building. The concept of critical zone is therefore only used to define the requested level
of performance of the safety glass.
d) There might be a need to consider the risk of accidental fall of glass fragments in the side opposite to
the impact, see 6.3.
6.1.1.3 Glazing in a critical zone and with floor level difference strictly smaller than f
h
(1) When the sill is strictly below the height p and the difference between floor levels, Δf, is strictly
h
smaller than or equal to f , the risk in case of glass breakage is considered as being moderate, see Figure 4.
h
The use of safety glass is generally requested to prevent people injuries in case of accidental breakage.
Key
ph height of the critical zone measured from the finished floor level on the side of possible impact
fh critical value of the difference between the finished floor levels on both sides of a glazed element
Δf difference between the finished floor levels on both sides of a glazed element in the real situation
Figure 4 — Sill height < p and difference between floor levels ≤ f
h h
(2) The risk in case of glass fracture being limited to people injuries, the use of thermally toughened safety
glass, heat soaked thermally toughened glass or laminated safety glass is allowed, provided that there is
no other risk to be taken into consideration due to e.g. the type of occupancy, see 5.1.
(3) The Specifications shall define the requested class(es) of performance of the safety glass according to
EN 12600.
(4) In many countries, when laminated safety glass is used, a class 2(B)2 is requested for this application,
although some countries are requesting a class 1(B)1.
(5) When thermally toughened glass is used, as the issue is only to limit the risk of injuries, no specific
class is required as long as the type of fragmentation is a type C and at least the lowest class requirements
are satisfied. The thickness of the glass is defined by calculation, considering all applicable loads and the
type of occupancy, see 5.1.
(6) When insulating glass unit (IGU) is concerned, the safety glass will be placed facing the impact side. If
thermally toughened glass is used, a safety glass may also be requested for the other glass pane(s) of the
IGU in order to provide the same level of safety in case of breakage of the thermally toughened pane.
(7) The Specifications can also consider the following:
a) The use of thermally toughened safety glass may be restricted depending on the glass dimensions
and the mode of fixing.
b) When a permanent protection acting as guarding is placed in front of a glazing placed as described
in this clause, no safety glass is necessary for that glazing provided that no other risk needs
consideration. If made of glass, the guarding shall fulfil the requirements defined in 6.2.2.2.
c) When inversely this permanent protection is placed behind the glazing, it does not modify the
requirements of this clause. If made of glass, the guarding shall fulfil the same requirements. In both
cases, this additional protection shall be permanently fixed to structural elements of the building.
6.1.1.4 Visual manifestation of glazing
(1) There is a risk of collision with glass in case of large transparent glazed surfaces separating two
spaces, especially door-high ones, as people might think they can walk from one part to the other. They
might not see the presence of glazing and collide with it.
(2) To avoid that risk, appropriate permanent manifestation can be requested by the Specifications, see
Figure 5. These permanent manifestations can be made of sandblasting or acid etching, adhesive film,
paint, etc. They can be stripes, dots, decorative elements, logos and shall contrast with the background in
all lighting conditions.
(3) The Specifications can impose it for certain types of occupancy or in function of the expected number
of people walking nearby a glazed partition.
NOTE For glass exposed to sun radiations, there can be a need to verify that the visual manifestations do not
induce a risk of thermal breakage of the glass pane.

Key
1 manifestation at higher level 4 door handle
2 manifestation at lower level v lower zone of manifestation
L
3 door manifestation v higher zone of manifestation
U
Figure 5 — Examples of visual manifestation of glazing
(4) Examples of manifestation for fixed elements:
— a stripe of patterns placed in an upper zone, vU, and of area greater than a defined limit, e.g. 100 cm
per linear meter of glass width (see Figure 5, key 1), and/or
— a stripe of patterns placed in a lower zone, v , and of area greater than a defined limit, e.g. 400 cm
L
per linear meter of glass width (see Figur
...