Infill Glazed (Balustrade) Building Codes & Rules
- Wire balustrades may look sleek, but they’re risky. Learn why they fail compliance and how Tools™ helps you design safer balustrades with confidence.
Span
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.2
Two Edge "U" Channel SupportAS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.2
- Safety Glass Types Allowed
- Laminated Annealed
- Laminated Heat Toughened
- Toughened (monolithic) if ≤ 5m Fall Risk
- Laminated Toughened
- Fully supported Edges
- Similar rule applies to top & bottom support
Live Load
Fixings
- Seal to prevent water ingress
Fixings
NCC 2022 V2
- Seal to prevent water ingress
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
Two Edge Support Mechanical FixedAS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
- Safety Glass Types Allowed
- Laminated Heat Strengthened
- Toughened (monolithic) if ≤ 5m Fall Risk
- Laminated Toughened
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D20 (1)
Non-climbable Zone (NCZ)
- ≥ 4m Fall Risk must include an NCZNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D20 (1)
NCZ
NCZ
Span
Glazing Span
- Two Edge Support by
- Continuous "U" channel, or
- Mechanical Fixings
- Balustrade system & Glazing Engineered to relevant Codes
Glass Span RULES
NCC 2022 V3
All Building Classes
NCC 2022 B1D4, H1D8, H6D2 [B1.4, 3.6, 3.12.3]
May 2023
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.2
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
- Glazed Assemblies to comply to NCC Part B1D4, H1D8, H6D2, & AS 1288
Glass
- Grade A safety glassAS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.2AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
- Laminated annealed, Toughened or Laminated Toughened
- ≥ 5m Fall Risk laminated type is preferred
- Maximum glass span as per tables below
- Two Edge Support by
- Continuous "U" channel, or
- Mechanical Fixings
- Balustrade system & Glazing Engineered to relevant Codes
Grade A
Safety Glass
Grade A
Safety Glass
≥ 1.05m
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D20 (1)
Wind Load
Three-edge Support (optional)
NCZ
NCC 2022 Vol 1, NSW D3D18 (1) (d) (ii)
9b
Entertainment
Venue (NSW)
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D18 (1) (d)
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D20 (1)
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
≤ F / 4AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
≤ F / 4AS 1288:2021, 7.4.7.3
Balustrade
- Load Support
- Fall risk ≥ 1m[1][2]
- Handrail mechanically fixed to structure
- Glazed infill panels
- Ø 125mm sphere unable to pass between any part of the barrier[3][4]
Balustrade RULES
NCC 2022 V1
All Building Classes
NCC 2022 B1D4, H1D8, H6D2 [B1.4, 3.6, 3.12.3]
May 2023
Balustrade BEST PRACTICE
NCC 2022 V2
- Any balustrade system to withstand expected loads
- Must be designed and structurally certified
- Dependent on the location and use
- Glazed systems rely on a common rail or specialized laminated glass to prevent fall if a panel fails
- Confirm acceptance of system & selection with owner & certifier
- Where a balustrade meets a window or other uneven element, mullion or transom, openings may become larger than allowed
- Ø 125mm opening compliance may be affected
- Risk for climbing
- Fixed furniture, taps etc. must not be installed near a balustrade
- Wire balustrades
- Avoid as this requires regular maintenance
- Have high certification failure rate & facilitate climbing
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D19 (1)
NCC 2022 HP, 11.3.4 (4)
NCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D17 (1)
NCC 2022 HP, 11.3.3 (1)
- Load Support
- Fall risk ≥ 1mNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D19 (1)NCC 2022 HP, 11.3.4 (4)
- Handrail mechanically fixed to structure
- Glazed infill panels
- Ø 125mm sphere unable to pass between any part of the barrierNCC 2022 Vol 1, D3D17 (1)NCC 2022 HP, 11.3.3 (1)
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