How Safety Glazing Legislation Can Influence the Market for Architectural Glass

Brian Waldron

The market for glass in building can be influenced by many factors. Legal cases have always set precedents that are used as the basis for voluntary and/or mandatory regulation. This paper will describe the situation in the United Kingdom following the 'Matthew's v Kember case' mid 1970's. The subsequent development of British Standard BS 6262: Code of practice for Glazing for buildings in 1982. Discussions with national regulators that led to the publication of Building Regulations, covering 'glazing and safety', in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland during the 1990's.

The introduction of BS 6262 and the subsequent Building Regulations have led to changes in definition of hazardous locations. Allied with these definitions have been recommendations as to the minimum level of safety glazing that is considered appropriate. These recommendations have caused considerable alterations in the types and substances of glass used.

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