At Invicta Glass, safety is non-negotiable. Below is a guide to UK glazing regulations and best practices. Always check with your building control officer or project engineer to confirm your specific requirements.
The Building Regulations (Approved Document K) state that “critical locations” must use safety glazing:
Doors – any glass within 1500 mm from floor level.
Side Panels – glass within 300 mm of a door edge and up to 1500 mm high.
Low-Level Glazing – any glass under 800 mm from floor level.
Bathrooms & Wet Areas – shower screens, bath enclosures, wet rooms.
Balustrades & Barriers – stairs, landings, balconies, guarding.
Furniture & Mirrors – shelving, cabinets, mirrors positioned in walkways.
To comply, glazing must be made from one of the following:
Toughened (Tempered) Glass – 4–5× stronger than float glass, breaks into small blunt pieces.
Laminated Safety Glass – multiple layers with an interlayer that holds fragments in place.
Wired Glass / Pyro Glass – reinforced glass for fire resistance, often combined with safety rating.
Specialist Glass – heat soaked, walk-on, or ballistic glass for higher impact or load requirements.
Doors & Adjacent Panels – safety glazing is required within 1500 mm of the finished floor and 300 mm of door edges.
Low-Level Areas – all glazing below 800 mm must be safety glass unless protected by a rail or barrier.
Small Panes – in some cases, small panes of annealed glass may be acceptable, but only under strict size limits.
Fire Safety – fire-rated glass (EI30, EI60 etc.) must comply with both fire performance and safety glazing rules.
Special Loads – walk-on, structural or ballistic glass must always use approved safety glass, designed for the intended load or risk.
Always confirm compliance with local building control before installation.
When in doubt, choose toughened or laminated glass — both meet most safety requirements.
For fire, walk-on, or specialist applications, consult our team for the correct specification.
Invicta Glass supplies glass only — we recommend professional fitting to ensure safety and compliance.
We’re here to guide you on choosing the right type of glass for your project. Our team can advise on toughened, laminated, pyro, or specialist glass to meet UK standards.
Always check with your building control officer or project engineer to confirm your specific requirements.
Supplying cut to size mirrors, splashbacks, safety glass, pyro glass, greenhouse and specialist glass across Kent.
