Safety, glazing and compliance

Building Regulations for Glass Partitions

Glass partitions are subject to the same safety principles as other large areas of glazing in a building. The main issues are safe breakage, protection from impact, making large transparent screens visible, door and access requirements, and whether the partition forms part of a fire-resisting construction.

The exact requirements depend on the building, its use and the position of the partition. This guide explains the main issues that commonly affect internal glass partitions in England.

Approved Document K and Safety Glazing

In England, Approved Document K covers protection from falling, collision and impact. The current document includes the glazing guidance that was previously dealt with separately under Approved Document N.

Approved Document K identifies critical glazing locations where there is a greater risk of somebody colliding with the glass. In these locations, the glazing needs to break safely, be sufficiently robust, be in sufficiently small panes, or be permanently protected.

Large internal glass partitions and glass doors commonly contain glazing within these critical areas, which is why safety glass is normally used.

National Glass Partitions supplies toughened safety glass to BS EN 12600 for its standard toughened-glass systems. Laminated safety glass is also available in the form of 12.8mm acoustic laminate where appropriate.

Where Are the Critical Glazing Areas?

Approved Document K defines critical locations around doors and at low level where collision with glazing is more likely.

This is particularly relevant to glass doors, glazing immediately beside doors and low-level areas of full-height glazed screens. A typical office glass partition therefore needs to be specified as safety glazing rather than ordinary thin annealed window glass.

The regulations do allow some alternatives where glazing is sufficiently robust, divided into small panes or permanently protected. Those exceptions are not a reason to substitute thin ordinary glass into a full-height partition system designed for 10mm or 12mm safety glass.

Manifestation: Making Large Glass Screens Visible

Why it is required

Preventing People Walking Into the Glass

Large uninterrupted transparent screens can be difficult to see, particularly where both sides are at the same floor level. Approved Document K therefore includes requirements for making glazing in these locations apparent.

Typical method

Two Levels of Manifestation

For glazed doors and screens that require manifestation, Approved Document K shows markings at two height bands: 850mm to 1000mm and 1400mm to 1600mm above finished floor level.

What it can look like

Logos, Bands or Other Features

Manifestation can take the form of a logo or sign at least 150mm high, or a decorative feature such as a continuous or broken band at least 50mm high. It needs to contrast with the background seen through the glass.

Alternative indication

Frames and Large Handles Can Matter

Approved Document K also recognises other ways that glazing may be made apparent, including mullions, transoms, door framing and substantial pull or push handles, depending on the arrangement.

We do not supply manifestation film. It is normally applied after installation and can incorporate bands, patterns or company branding.

Glass Thickness and Building Regulations

It is important to separate Building Regulations from the specification of a particular partition system.

The Building Regulations do not simply state that every glass partition must be 10mm or 12mm thick. They establish safety and performance requirements.

National Glass Partitions then applies its own system limits. Our standard glass is 10mm toughened, 12mm toughened is required by our system above 2600mm, and the standard calculator limits individual panels to 1100mm wide.

These are NGP system specifications, not universal Building Regulation thickness rules.

For more detail, see our guide to choosing glass for a partition.

Glass Doors and Access Requirements

Where a partition includes a door, the glass itself is only one part of the compliance question. Door width, clear opening, approach space and the way the door operates can also affect accessibility.

Approved Document M deals with access to and use of buildings in England. A particular glass door should not be described as universally wheelchair compliant simply because it has a certain nominal leaf width. The effective clear opening and surrounding conditions need to be considered for the actual project.

Our standard door leaf is 900mm and the calculator allows other widths up to 950mm, but the project designer or Building Control should determine whether a particular doorway meets the access requirements for the building.

Are Standard Glass Partitions Fire Rated?

No. Toughened safety glass and fire-resistant glazing are not the same thing.

Standard National Glass Partitions systems are not fire-rated partition systems and should not be specified where a fire-resisting wall, screen or door is required.

If the proposed partition forms part of a fire compartment, protected escape route or other fire-resisting construction, do not assume a standard glass partition is suitable. The fire strategy and relevant requirements of Approved Document B need to be considered by the project designer or Building Control.

Does Every Glass Partition Need Building Control Approval?

Not necessarily. Whether Building Regulations approval is required depends on the wider work being carried out, the type and use of the building and what the new partition affects.

A partition can have implications beyond the glass itself, including access, fire safety, escape routes and other parts of the building design. For commercial projects where there is any uncertainty, the building owner, designer or contractor should confirm the requirements with the relevant Building Control body before ordering.

National Glass Partitions can provide information about the partition system itself, but the compliance of the complete building layout remains project-specific.

What About Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Building standards and statutory guidance are not identical throughout the UK. This page primarily explains the position in England.

Projects in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland should be checked against the guidance that applies in that nation rather than assuming the English Approved Documents apply unchanged.

Configure the Partition Once the Specification Is Agreed

When you know the required layout, glass and door specification, enter the finished opening dimensions into the calculator to see the panel sizes, system components and exact price.

Configure & See Your Price

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