Safety Glass in Buildings: What You Need to Know About the Belgian Standard
Safety in buildings starts with the smallest details, including glass. In Belgium, clear standards regulate glass in buildings to reduce the risk of injuries or falls. These rules are based on recommendations from Buildwise and Belgian standards NBN S 23-002 and NBN EN 12600 for safety glass. Here is an overview of the main practical guidelines, applied in homes, offices, and other buildings.
Low Windows: Prevent Fall Risks
Glass with the bottom less than 90 cm above the finished floor carries a risk. In these cases:
- The glass must be laminated safety glass or
- It must be protected by a parapet or balustrade
Typical implementation:
- 33.1 laminated glass: two 3 mm glass layers with an interlayer film
- 44.2 laminated glass: for larger panes or higher loads
Why? If broken, the glass stays attached to the film, preventing dangerous openings.
Glass Doors and Panels with safety glass
All fully or partially glazed doors must use safety glass:
- Laminated glass, e.g., 33.1, or
- Tempered glass according to EN 12600
This ensures that in case of breakage, the glass stays in place and the door remains safe. This applies to homes, offices, public buildings, and commercial spaces.
Large Glass Surfaces Close to the Floor
When a glass surface starts lower than ±85-90 cm and is accessible, it must also be safety glass. Examples include glass partitions, sliding glass walls, or large office and commercial windows.
Practical Rule for safety glass in Belgium
Situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
Bottom of glass ≥ 90 cm | Standard insulating glass allowed |
Bottom of glass < 90 cm | Laminated safety glass |
Glass doors | Always safety glass |
Glass to the floor | Laminated safety glass required |
Safety glass is not a luxury but a standard in Belgian buildings. At Solid Binnendeuren, we always recommend the right glazing so your doors and windows are both stylish and safe.
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