Technical Advice | Building Regulations and Planning Permissions
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We do not make up topics just to get clicks. Our topics come from the questions people really ask us. Architects ask us when they plan a building. Builders ask us on-site. Homeowners ask us when they plan their project. If the same question keeps coming up, we write about it.
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The first draft is written by someone who works with that glazing system. This might be a technical advisor, a designer, or a product expert.
They write using three things, in this order. First, our own finished projects and what we learned from them. Second, the building rules and the glass standards that apply. Third, the maker's technical data for the system we supply. When we give a number or a limit, we say where it comes from. We name the rule or standard and link to the official source so you can check it yourself.
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Before any article goes live, a second qualified person reads it. They check three things. That the facts are right and not made too simple. That any rule or standard we mention is current and stated correctly. That the advice matches how the work is really done on site.
This checker can send the article back, ask for proof, or stop it from going live. Two experts must agree. This is the most important safety step in how we work. The name of the person who checked each article is shown on the article itself.
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Each article shows who wrote it, who checked it, and the date it was last checked. Rules, standards, and products change over time. So we go back and review our advice on a regular basis. We update it when a rule changes, a standard is replaced, or a product changes. Being right matters more than leaving an old article alone.
Security ratings describe how glass, windows and doors perform against defined types of attack under specified test conditions. The appropriate assessment depends on whether the project requires resistance to manual attack, gunfire or blast pressure.
When specifying architectural glazing, distinguish between the performance of the glass and that of the complete window or door. The glass, framing, hardware and installation details must be considered together.
The following standards assess different aspects of glazing performance. An impact-safety classification does not establish resistance to deliberate attack, and a glass-only rating does not establish the performance of a complete window or door.
| Standard | What it assesses | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| BS EN 12600 | Human-impact safety and glass breakage behaviour | Glass |
| BS EN 356 | Resistance to manual attack | Glass |
| BS EN 1063 | Bullet resistance | Glass |
| BS EN 13541 | Resistance to explosion pressure | Glass |
| PAS 24 | Enhanced security performance against defined attacks associated with opportunistic burglary | Complete windows and doorsets |
BS EN 356 tests and classifies security glazing according to its resistance to manual attack. The classifications use two different test methods.
For classes P1A to P5A, a 4.11 kg steel sphere is dropped onto a horizontally mounted glass specimen. The drop height and number of impacts vary by class. P1A uses three impacts from 1.5 m, while P5A uses nine impacts from 9 m.
Classes P6B to P8B use a mechanical axe test to assess resistance to creating an opening in the glass. These classifications describe performance under controlled test conditions; they do not represent a guaranteed number of minutes of protection during a real attack.
Laminated glass can provide resistance to manual attack, depending on its construction. The glass layers and interlayers must be specified as a tested combination. An interlayer type alone does not establish a security rating. Find out more about strengthening interlayers for architectural glazing.
BS EN 1063 classifies security glazing according to its resistance to specified ammunition under defined firing conditions. It includes classes BR1 to BR7, together with SG1 and SG2 for shotgun ammunition.
The classification also distinguishes between S, where splinters are released on the protected side during the test, and NS, where no splinters are released under the test conditions. This distinction is relevant to the protection of people behind the glazing.
A bullet-resistance classification applies to the tested glass construction and conditions. It does not guarantee protection against every weapon or attack. Frames, joints and opening elements must also be considered when designing the complete protective assembly.
Explore bullet-resistant glass and discuss the required performance and supporting evidence with IQ Glass.
BS EN 13541 tests and classifies security glazing for resistance to explosion pressure. Its classifications range from ER1 to ER4 and describe performance under defined blast-test conditions.
Blast-resistant glazing requires a coordinated design that considers the glass, its retention within the frame, the frame itself and its connection to the surrounding structure. A glass classification alone does not establish the performance of the complete installation.
Where a project has a blast-resistance requirement, establish the design criteria with the appropriate security or protective-design specialist. Confirm the applicable evidence for the proposed glass and supporting system, including any fragmentation designation and installation limitations.
PAS 24 assesses the enhanced security performance of complete windows and doorsets against defined attacks associated with opportunistic burglary. It assesses the assembled product rather than assigning a security rating to an individual glass pane.
When specifying a window or door, check which standard edition and configurations the evidence covers. Confirm the scope of panel arrangements, dimensions, glazing and hardware. Evidence for one arrangement should not be assumed to cover every variation, including opening corners or pocket doors.
Testing and independent product certification are different. A test report records the assessed specimen and results, while certification provides assurance under a product certification scheme. Read our explanation of PAS 24 testing, compliance and certification.
PAS 24 assessment applies to the manufactured product before installation. The proposed site fixings, junctions and installation details must also be resolved for the project.
Define the required security performance early, alongside the glazing dimensions, opening arrangements and architectural design.
Share your project drawings, location and performance brief with IQ Glass to discuss the proposed glass, framing and opening configuration.
Contact IQ Glass to discuss your project’s security requirements.
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