What’s Happening with Frameless Glass Balustrades?

Ongoing confusion over the compliance of frameless glass balustrade systems still lingers since new regulations were introduced last year. In particular, questions around acceptable glass solutions not requiring interlinking top rails/handrails or corner brackets continue to be asked.

NZS 4223.3:2016 was introduced in June 2016 and permitted a glass panel option not requiring an interlinking top rail or similar. "Laminated toughened or laminated heat-strengthened safety glass with a stiff interlayer designed to retain glass and prevent collapse, if broken. The stiff interlayer must be capable of preventing collapse in the event of a breakage of both panes of glass." In NZ the acceptable laminated, heat-strengthened glass with a stiff interlayer is the SentryGlas brand. However increased focus on this type of glass panel highlighted an unforeseen issue.

The test procedure for stiff interlayer glass panels, as detailed in NZS4223.3.2016, required the panel to remain intact after a 46kg swing bag test was carried out. However, this test exposed an issue known as the "trap door effect" where both panes of the glass could shatter, remain intact, and return to an upright position, but the deflection of the panel at the point of impact could be great enough to allow a person to fall over it.

To prevent this, new testing procedures were introduced in Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 Amendment 15 (1 January 2017), stating the maximum deflection these glass panels could have. Tests now have to be undertaken to determine the minimum allowable panel width at the maximum allowable panel deflection.

This minimum panel width requirement means that stiff interlayer glass may not be suitable for a number of installations, usually short returns, where the completely frameless look is requested. If there is a requirement for a stiff interlayer glass panel to be used on an installation narrower than the permitted minimum panel width, an interlinking rail or proprietary system must be used.

For any questions, please feel free to contact Juralco.

Edgetec Double Disc Anchor Balustrade

Juralco Aluminium

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The Edgetec® Double Disc Anchor is a traditional 50mm diameter anchor fixing available in powder-coated aluminium and polished or satin stainless steel finishes.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Edgetec Double Disc Anchor balustrade is suitable for deck and balcony barriers, pool fencing, internal stairways or landings and can be fixed to timber (including waterproof decks), concrete, and steel.

Suitable for:

Residential and Domestic Occupancy types A, A Other, and C3
Commercial Occupancy types B, E, and C3

A hidden fixing detail is standard for Double Disc Anchor fixings.

The Edgetec Double Disc Anchor balustrade system has been engineered and tested by independent engineers to comply with NZ standards AS/NZS1170 and NZS4223.3.2016, New Zealand Building Code B1, B2, F2, F4, F9 and section 162C of the Building Act (pool fencing regulations)
Edgetec Double Disc Anchor balustrade is suitable for Residential and Domestic Occupancy types A, A Other, and C3
Edgetec Double Disc Anchor balustrade is suitable for Commercial Occupancy types B, E, and C3

Edgetec Infinity Balustrade

Juralco Aluminium

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Juralco's Infinity® Frameless Glass Balustrade System is a cantilevered, channel balustrade system that utilises proprietary clamps for installation of toughened safety glass or Sentry Laminated glass panels.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Edgetec Infinity® Balustrade is suitable for use on timber, concrete or steel and can be finished in a range of Dulux powder coat colours.

Complies with NZS1170, NZS4223.3.2016, NZBC Clause F9 & 162C of the Building Act (pool safety legislation)

Designed and manufactured in New Zealand, the Edgetec Infinity balustrade system has been engineered and tested by independent engineers to comply with NZ standards AS/NZS1170 and NZS4223.3.2016, New Zealand Building Code B1, B2 and F4, NZBC Clause F9 & 162C of the Building Act (pool safety legislation)
Edgetec Infinity balustrade is suitable for Occupancy A, B, E C3 Residential and C3 Commercial
Residential balustrade installations up to 1200mm high, using 12mm thick glass, are achieved with 500mm clamp centres and Commercial B, E and C3 applications up to 1300mm high, 15mm thick glass requires 400mm clamp centres
Any deviation from standard fabrication or installation must be accompanied by a site specific PS1, with site specific calculations and drawings
An interlinking top rail has been incorporated into the Edgetec range to comply with new 2016 balustrade regulations — NZS4223.3.2016

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