WHY 15MM CLEAR TOUGHENED GLASS?

Australian Standard Updates – In May 2023 the National Construction Code (NCC) stipulated the adoption of the revised Australian Standards AS 1288-201. These updates provided new guidelines for the selection and installation of glass in barriers, catering to varied installation methods and enhancing overall structural safety. A number of impacts were identified in the code, including Clause 3.3.3

AS1288-2021 Clause 3.3.3 – This is a critical clause relating to deflection of cantilevered glass under load (Cantilevered glass refers to panels that are supported at one end only: which include spigot installations which support a glass panel at the base). It states that glass shall be designed for the serviceability limit by controlling or limiting deflection. The maximum deflection for a cantilevered glass balustrade system under serviceability limit state actions shall be limited to height /30 deflection.

Testing – In light of the updated standard, over the last 12 months our supplier has undertaken extensive testing of frameless glass and hardware systems under direction of an experienced engineer and in association with a leading NATA accredited testing facility.

Balustrade testing of 12mm clear toughened glass with spigots – Numerous spigots (including ours and competitors) were load tested with 12mm clear toughened glass by a NATA approved facility. The results showed that the deflection was outside limits as prescribed by Clause 3.3.3 for core drilling and base plated installations.

Balustrade testing of 15mm clear toughened glass with spigots – Testing of 15mm clear toughened glass with Madrid Deluxe spigots satisfied deflection requirements and other load test considerations of AS1288-2021. As such, 15mm monolithic toughened glass can be used for frameless balustrade installations protecting a fall of 5 metres or less. (which is the case in most standard two-level houses/dwellings).  Importantly, for barriers situated more than 5 metres above the ground or floor level, the standard now mandates the use of laminated safety glass.

Engineer certification – Our supplier can provide engineer certification of its frameless balustrade system using 15mm clear toughened glass and Madrid Deluxe spigots. An appropriate rail must also be used. Installations must be within parameters as prescribed by the engineer compliance document.