Glass has always been used in construction to create both a feeling space as well as to enhance and frame a beautiful view. An example of this is the use of Glass balustrades/barriers to allow easy viewing beyond the confines of our balconies – especially of that perfect West Australian sunset.
Glass is unique in this way in that it can provide a safety barrier and at the same time allowing your patrons/guests to enjoy open surroundings and maximum views.
However recent changes to building standards (the AS1288-2021 glass in building standard as part of the National Construction Code – NCC) have set out revised regulations for balustrades or ‘barriers’ as they are now called. If you are installing or upgrading glass balustrades/barriers in your existing building complex, these are some of the factors you will need to consider when checking for compliance.
For any barriers which are 5 meters or over from ground or floor level, the revised standard now requires that only laminated safety glass is to be installed.
If a panel in a glass barrier is damaged or broken, when it is replaced, it must comply with the current glass in building Standard AS1288-2021 which now details load requirements and test methods for performance.
Generally, barriers with exposed glass edges are classed as structural such as cantilever glass or where only top glass edge is exposed (i.e. there is no solid metal or timber handrail) If your barrier has exposed glass edges, there are some changes that also help improve safety with clarification of interlinking handrail requirements.
The method used to fix barriers to the balcony (either via spigot or core-drilled) must comply with the NCC. The revised standard now provides load guidelines for these types of barriers.
These new standards were enacted nationally on May 1st, 2023. Since then, the glazing industry bodies and glazing companies have continued to work with the government and industry to ensure these new standards are being applied as required and to provide advice and assistance to builders, property managers and owners around compliance.
If you would like to receive some further information on this and/or to arrange an audit of properties you manage where you feel this may be an issue, pls contact Jarad Finneran at O’Brien Glass on email Jarad.Finneran@obrienglass.com.au or mobile 0439 071 461.
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