Glass designed to reduce the likelihood of injury when broken, including tempered glass that crumbles into small pieces and laminated glass that holds fragments together with plastic interlayers.
What is Safety Glass?
Safety glass refers to glass that has been processed or manufactured to reduce the likelihood of injury when broken. There are two main types of safety glass: tempered glass and laminated glass, each designed to fail in a safer manner than standard annealed glass.
Building codes require safety glass in specific locations where there is increased risk of human impact or where falling glass could cause injury.
Key Features
- Reduced Injury Risk: Designed to minimize harm when broken
- Code Compliance: Meets building safety requirements
- Enhanced Strength: Generally stronger than standard glass
- Predictable Failure: Breaks in predetermined safe patterns
- Wide Applications: Used in doors, windows, and high-risk areas
- Quality Standards: Must meet strict safety certifications
Benefits
Safety glass provides essential protection in buildings while maintaining the aesthetic and functional benefits of glass. It allows architects and designers to use glass extensively while meeting safety codes and protecting occupants from injury.
The use of safety glass has dramatically reduced glass-related injuries in buildings and vehicles since its widespread adoption.
Common Applications
- Shower Doors and Screens: Required by building codes for bathroom safety
- Glass Repairs: Replacement of damaged safety glass installations
- Entry Doors: Full glass doors and sidelights in commercial and residential buildings
- Low Windows: Windows within 18 inches of floor level
- Stair Landings: Glass adjacent to stairs and walking surfaces
- Large Glass Panels: Expansive glazing in commercial buildings
- Vehicle Glass: All automotive glazing except windshields use tempered safety glass
For detailed safety glass standards, visit the Safety glass Wikipedia page.