Rules & Regulations

Fire-Rated Glass Explained Safety Standards & Applications in the UK

Sep 20, 2025

Safety Guide · 2025

Read time: ~7 mins · Updated: 26 Sep 2025

Fire-rated glass plays a critical role in protecting lives and property in the UK.
Whether it’s used in doors, partitions, or facades, knowing the different fire ratings and where they apply is essential.
This guide breaks down the standards, types, and applications so you can choose correctly for safety, legal compliance, and design.

Infographic: Fire-Rated Glass Explained – Integrity, EW, EI Ratings

Contents

UK & European Standards
Fire Rating Classes (E, EW, EI)
Types of Fire-Rated Glass
Where to Use Fire-Rated Glass
FAQs

UK & European Standards

Fire-rated glass in the UK must conform to **BS EN 13501-2** for fire classification of construction products, which includes glass.
Other relevant standards include **BS EN 12150** (for toughened safety glass) and **BS EN 14449** (for laminated glass safety).
Additionally, many fire-rated glass products are tested under **BS 476** where relevant.

Fire Rating Classes (E, EW, EI)

E-class (Integrity only): Prevents the passage of flames and smoke, but does not limit heat transfer.
EW-class (Integrity + Radiation control): Adds limited control of heat radiation — safer for people near the other side of the barrier.
EI-class (Integrity + Insulation): Provides full barrier against flames, smoke, and significant heat transfer. Used where full protection is needed.

Types of Fire-Rated Glass

There are various constructions and materials used for fire-rated glass:

Wire-glass: traditional wired mesh inside the glass; provides reliability but lower clarity.
Laminated / Intumescent interlayer glass: combines layers that swell in fire, sealing the gap.
Mineral glass panels: non-organic, non-combustible, used in high-temperature conditions.
Glass with fire-resistant coatings or films for added performance.

Where to Use Fire-Rated Glass

Fire doors & frames for escape routes, corridors, stairwells.
Partitions between zones (e.g. between kitchen & living area, office suites).
Facades or glazed walls near exits, balconies, or exposed external areas.
Between mixed-use buildings or areas with higher fire risk.
Where regulations mandate ratings for certain heights or distances from egress paths.

For tempered glass options tested for fire safety, see Tempered Glass, or explore Custom Glass Solutions that can meet fire-rated standards.

References & further reading:
BS EN 13501-2 classification guide,
BRE Group fire safety resources,
FIRAS certification

Need fire-rated glass systems?

Browse Fire-Rated Glass Products

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Frequently asked questions

What rating does a fire door need in the UK?
Typically, fire doors are required to achieve at least 30-minute integrity and insulation (EI 30) depending on building regulations and local authority guidance.

Is wired glass still accepted?
In many cases, wired glass is acceptable, though modern alternatives (laminated or bonded interlayer glass) offer better clarity, safety and aesthetics.

Can fire-rated glass be used in shower or bathroom settings?
Yes, but ensure the glass is certified for area, rated for moisture exposure, and properly sealed; certification should include the type (E, EW or EI) and performance level required.

Do fire-rated standards apply to low windows?
Yes—if a window is low to the floor on an escape path or in a door, safety and fire ratings may be required by the building code.

Are there restrictions on glass clearness in fire-rated panels?
Some glass types (e.g. wire or patterned glass) may reduce visibility; make sure any glass meets necessary clarity where safety lines of sight are important.

Rules & Regulations

Glass Balustrade Rules in the UK: Heights, Loads & Handrail Options

Sep 18, 2025

Regulations • Glass Balustrade Guide

Glass Balustrade Rules in the UK: Heights, Loads & Handrail Options

Glass balustrades look stunning, but compliance with UK regulations is essential. This guide covers minimum heights, required load resistance, handrail options, and typical glass thicknesses, helping you understand what’s needed for safe and legal installations. More details and styles are available on the glass balustrade page.

When is a balustrade required?

Under the Building Regulations (Approved Document K) and British Standard BS 6180:2011, a guard or balustrade is required wherever there is a significant drop. For residential homes, that’s when levels differ by more than 600 mm. In public or commercial buildings, thresholds may be stricter.

Minimum Height Requirements

The minimum height depends on location and building type. Common requirements under BS 6180 and Document K include:

Location	Minimum Height (from Finished Floor Level)
Internal stairs, landings, ramps, edges of internal floors	900 mm
External balconies, Juliet balconies, edges of roofs	1100 mm
Glazing in front of windows/openings (if acting as fall protection)	800 mm

Heights may be greater in commercial or high-traffic spaces.

Load Requirements

Balustrades must resist horizontal and vertical forces as defined by BS 6180:2011 and Eurocodes. Loads vary depending on building use.

Occupancy / Use	Line Load (kN/m)	UDL (kN/m²)	Point Load (kN)
Residential	0.36	0.5	0.25
Offices, light commercial	0.74	1.0	0.5
Restaurants, bars, assembly	1.5	1.5	1.5
Heavy public areas	3.0	1.5	1.5

Handrail Rules

BS 6180:2011 section 8.5.2 requires a handrail where the drop is more than 600 mm, unless the balustrade is constructed from laminated toughened glass that remains in place if a pane fails. Frameless systems without rails must therefore use laminated glass and tested fixings.

Common handrail styles

Cap rails fitted along the top edge of the glass
Bracket-mounted rails above the panels
Hybrid post-and-rail systems for added stiffness

Glass Thickness & Type

Residential interiors: typically 10–12 mm toughened glass.
Frameless/external: laminated toughened glass 17.5–22 mm.
Always ensure compliance with BS 6180:2011 and impact standards (BS EN 12600).

FAQs

What height is required for internal balustrades?

Internal stairs, landings and ramps generally require a minimum height of 900 mm.

What about balconies and roof terraces?

External balconies and roof edges usually need 1100 mm minimum balustrade height.

Do all balustrades need handrails?

Not always. If laminated toughened glass is used and remains secure if one layer breaks, a handrail may not be required.

How thick should the glass be?

Most domestic systems use 10–12 mm toughened glass. Frameless designs without rails typically require laminated glass of 17.5–22 mm.

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance. Always consult a qualified professional and local Building Control before proceeding with an installation.

Rules & Regulations

UK Building Regs for Glass: A Simple Homeowner’s Guide (2025 Update)

Sep 18, 2025

Regulations • Homeowner Guide

UK Building Regulations for Glass: A Simple Homeowner’s Guide (2025 Update)

If you are planning a renovation or fitting new glazing at home, you’ll need to understand how the UK Building Regulations apply to glass. This guide explains the key rules in plain English, where safety glazing is required, and why products like tempered glass are essential for compliance and peace of mind.

What Part K covers

Approved Document K (commonly known as Part K) deals with protection from falling, collision and impact. For homeowners, the most important section is about glazing. According to the Planning Portal, safety glazing is required in areas where people are most likely to bump into or fall against the glass. These are called “critical locations.”

In short: If glass is positioned near the floor, in a door, beside a door, on a landing, or used as a barrier such as a balustrade, it must be designed to break safely or resist impact without shattering dangerously.

Where are the critical locations?

The official Part K document (2025 edition) identifies the following zones:

Glazed doors – all glass within the door itself must be safety glass.
Side panels next to doors – if within 300 mm of the door edge and below 1500 mm in height.
Low-level glazing – any glass panel below 800 mm from the finished floor level.
Bathrooms and showers – because wet floors increase the chance of impact.
Staircases, ramps, and landings – including glass balustrades and guards.

These requirements are designed to prevent accidents and injuries, and apply whether you are installing large picture windows, shower screens, or shopfront glazing.

Types of safety glass allowed

Part K does not mandate one single product, but it requires compliance with specific British Standards. The two most common types are tempered (toughened) glass and laminated glass, both tested to BS EN 12600 impact classifications.

Glass Type	Common Uses	Why It’s Safe
Tempered (toughened) glass	Doors, shower screens, low-level glazing	Heat-treated to be several times stronger than float glass. If broken, it shatters into small blunt pieces, reducing risk of injury (BS EN 12150).
Laminated glass	Balustrades, overhead glazing, security glass	Consists of two or more sheets bonded with a plastic interlayer. Even when cracked, the interlayer holds fragments together, maintaining a barrier.
Tempered-laminated	High-performance barriers, shopfronts, public spaces	Combines both methods—toughened plies laminated together for strength and post-breakage safety.

Glass balustrades and BS 6180

One of the most common applications in modern homes is the use of glass balustrades for staircases, balconies, and terraces. Beyond Part K, these are governed by BS 6180, which specifies minimum heights, line loads, and point loads. The choice of thickness (often 10 mm, 12 mm, or laminated 17.5 mm) depends on the barrier’s location and whether it needs to withstand domestic or public usage.

Designers usually prefer laminated safety glass for balustrades because it maintains integrity even if one ply fails. This ensures that the barrier continues to perform its function until it is replaced.

How to check compliance before ordering

Confirm with your supplier that the glass is tested to BS EN 12600 and stamped accordingly.
For toughened glass, look for markings showing compliance with BS EN 12150.
For balustrades, request structural calculations showing compliance with BS 6180 load requirements.
Always use a competent installer and, where applicable, notify Building Control.

Costs and practical advice

Tempered glass is usually the most cost-effective choice for domestic doors, shower screens, and low-level glazing. It is stocked in common thicknesses such as 6 mm and 8 mm, which keeps lead times short. Laminated glass is typically more expensive and takes longer to fabricate, but it is essential in overhead applications and barriers. Homeowners often combine both: tempered glass for internal doors and showers, and laminated or tempered-laminated for balustrades and shopfronts.

When planning a project, consider how the glazing will be used in daily life. For example, bathroom glass is exposed to moisture and requires both safety and durability. Choosing tempered glass with an anti-limescale coating can reduce cleaning and extend lifespan.

Conclusion

Building Regulations might seem complicated, but the key message is simple: use the right glass in the right location. Doors, low-level glazing, and bathrooms need safety glass to protect people from harm. Balustrades and overhead glazing require laminated glass to maintain a barrier if broken. By checking for standards such as BS EN 12150 and BS EN 12600, you can be confident your home project is safe and compliant.

For tailored advice, speak to a professional installer and consult official guidance such as Approved Document K. And when you are ready to order, explore our tempered glass cut to size options available for fast UK delivery.

Disclaimer: This article is intended as a homeowner’s guide. Always verify with local Building Control before carrying out work.