Glazing Regulations

  1. N1 TYPE AND FIXING OF GLAZING
    NATIONAL BUILDING REGULATIONS SANS 10400: Part N: Glazing

    1 Any material used in the glazing of any building shall be of a secure and durable type and shall be fixed in a manner and position that will ensure that it will:
    (a) Safely sustain any wind actions which can reasonably be expected;
    (b) Not allow penetration of water to the interior of the building; and
    (c) Be apparent, in the case of clear glazing, to any person approaching such glazing.

    2 Glass, plastics and organic coated glass shall be selected in order to provide, in the case of human impact, a degree of safety appropriate in relation to:
    (a) The position of the glazed area ; and
    (b) The number and likely behavior pattern of persons expected to be in close proximity to such glazed area.

    3 The requirements of sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall be deemed to be satisfied where the glazing material is selected, fixed and marked in accordance with SANS 10400-N.

  2. GLAZING INSTALLATIONS
    SANS 10400-N: 2010 EDITION 3

    1 Glazing materials shall compromise either glass That complies with the requirements of parts 1 to 5 of SANS 50572, or polycarbonate sheeting.

    2 Frames to receive glazing material shall either comply with the requirements of SANS 727 or SANS 1553-2, or capable of withstanding the wind and impact  loads determined in Accordance with the requirements of SANS 10400-B without deflecting more than 1/175th of their span.

    3 The thickness of panes of glass and flat solid polycarbonate sheeting, other than in lifts, shall:
    (a) Be no less than that given in tables 1 to 6, or
    (b) Be determined by a Competent Person (glazing) in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10137, or
    (c) Be based on wind loads determined in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10400-B.

    4 The top and bottom of glass fins (see figure 1) installed at butt joints of glass panes shall be fully fixed to the supporting structure and have overall dimensions as given in table 7. Silicone sealant that has a tensile strength of at least 1 MPa shall be used.

    NOTE: A butt is assumed to have no structural strength. Therefore panels which incorporate a butt joint are not considered to be supported on all sides. A glass fin is necessary to provide the support at the joint so that the pane can be considered to be supported on four sides or two opposite sides.

  3. MAXIMUM AREA
    Table 1:

    Dimension for the vertical glass supported in a frame on all sides in external walls in a building where the height measured from the ground to the top of such wall does not exceed 10m.

    Table 2:

    Dimensions for vertical glass supported by a frame on all sides in internal walls.

    Table 3:

    Dimensions for vertical glass supported by a frame on two opposite sides in external walls in buildings where the height measured from the ground to the top of such wall does not exceed 10m.

    Table 4:

    Dimensions for vertical glass support by a frame on two opposite sides in internal walls.

  4. TRANSPARENT GLAZING

    Where transparent glazing is used and is not likely to be apparent to, or suspected by, any person approaching it, such glazing shall bear markings that shall render it visible to such person.

  5. ENERGY USAGE IN BUILDINGS- SANS 204

    In the event that the individual fenestration manufacturer has not tested his product at the Rotatable Guarded Hot Box the following default U-Values and solar heat gain co-efficients (SHGC) shall apply:

  6. SAFETY GLAZING

    1 The panes of all safety glazing material shall be permanently marked by the installer in such a manner that the markings are visible in individual panes after installation.

    2 Safety glazing material that complies with the requirements of SANS 1263-1 shall be used where (see figures 2 to 4):
    (a) the occupancy or building classification is A3 (place of instruction), E1 (place of detention), E2 (hospital) and E3 (other institutional residential buildings 9 see SANS 10400-A);
    (b) doors and slide lights form part of any entrance up to 2 100mm from finished floor level;
    (c) a window has a sill height of less than 500mm from the floor;
    (d) a window has a sill height of less than 800mm from the floor without  Any permanent barrier that prevents persons from coming into contact with the glass panel, and is so placed that persons are likely, on normal traffic routes, to move directly towards such a window;

    NOTE: A barrier could be any feature, ie. a heavy bar across a window or a flower box placed in front of the window, that will provide a physical or visual barrier between the glass and person.

    (e) a bath enclosure or shower cubicle is glazed or where glazing occurs immediately above a bath;
    (f) glazing is used in any shop front or display window within 2100mm from the finished floor level;
    (g) glazing is used in any wall or balustrade to a stairway, ramp, landing or balcony;
    (h) glazing is used within 1800mm of the pitch line of a stairway or the surface of a ramp, landing or balcony;
    (i) glazing applications are sloped or horizontal;
    (j) a mirror is installed as a facing to a cupboard door less than 800mm above floor level and there is no solid backing;
    (k) glazing is used around areas such as swimming pools and ice rinks; and
    (l) glazing is used in internal partitions, which are within 2100mm of floor level.

    3 Glass in balustrades shall be toughened safety glass unless rigidly supported on all sides.

    4 Glass in horizontal or sloping applications shall be laminated or toughened safety glass. Toughened safety glass shall only be used where individual panes are framed on all sides.

    5 Wired glass that has two-edged support may be used in vertical glazing in sawtooth roofs.

    6 The thicknesses and maximum panel dimensions of frameless bath and shower enclosures shall be as given in table 10.