Barrier glazing is glazing designed to prevent people from falling to a lower level. In the event of impact on the glazing, the risk of injury is supposed to be low. Furthermore, the lower-lying traffic area must not be endangered by fragments. Barrier glazing includes, e.g., glass balustrades or stair railings made of glass as well as floor-to-ceiling glazing.

Usually a glass structure which provides fall protection contains a laminated safety glass which has a favrouable fracture behaviour due to the interlayer used. Apart from the glass structure, the support of the panes is decisive for barrier glazing. Barrier glazing must be able to resist both abrupt actions (impact) and structural actions (wind loads, lateral live loads). This means that two verifications must always be provided: dynamic (pendulum impact test or alternatively through calculation) and static verification (calculated).

Regulatory framework

Barrier glazing is executed in accordance with DIN 18008-4. For construction techniques which deviate significantly from these provisions, DIBt grants general construction technique permits (aBG).

For products used in the construction technique which are not covered by harmonised European standards, DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ). European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for these products.

Please also note the provisions of the relevant federal state following MVV TB, Section A 1.2.7.