Safety and durability are paramount in public spaces that bustle with people every day, such as shops, offices, and restaurants. Given the increased safety risk, materials that can withstand constant pressure and wear and tear are needed.
Tempered glass has proven to be a vital component in building construction time and time again. With its excellent strength and durability, it’s no wonder why it’s used for glass installations in public buildings.
But what exactly are the benefits of tempered glass? And what makes it so different from any other glass type? Within this blog, TuffX will walk through the advantages and common applications of tempered glass and why it’s a cornerstone of public safety and architectural integrity.
To get started on your next project today, browse our glass applications and see how you can bring a fresh approach to your work.
What is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass, also known as toughened glass, is not your ordinary glass type. Crafted through a unique process of extreme heating and cooling, this sets it apart in terms of strength and durability, as it’s up to five times stronger than annealed glass.
During this manufacturing process, tempered glass is heated to 600 degrees Celsius and then rapidly cooled under a cold blast of air. From this, the outer surface of the glass goes into a state of compression, while the core of the glass stays in a state of tension.
The stress pattern that happens as a result of this process improves its strength, making it difficult to break. If the glass does shatter, it breaks into small, pebbled pieces.
The Safety Benefits of Tempered Glass
When it comes to choosing between tempered glass and traditional annealed glass, there’s no competition.
While glass can’t be altered once it has undergone the tempering process, the unmatched strength, thermal resistance, and versatility it wields make it the perfect choice for builders and architects.
You can also expect a wide range of other benefits, including:
- Advanced durability: Tempered glass can withstand heavier loads and impacts than standard glass, making it safe for buildings in high-traffic areas. It’s also longer lasting, which is crucial if you want to avoid expensive repairs and replacements in the future.
- Fire resistance: Due to its exceptional edge strength, it can withstand temperatures of up to 250°C. This helps to slow and prevent the spread of fire and reduce the risk of thermal breakage when exposed to direct sources of heat.
- Reduced risk of injury: In the case of breakage, this type of glass breaks into small, blunt pieces. These pieces are less likely to cause injury to pedestrians, which is crucial for meeting building codes and regulations when adding a glass structure to any public area.
- UV protection: Treated to block UV rays, tempered glass protects occupants, surfaces, and furnishings inside buildings from sun damage or fading.
- Improved security: This glass is a great deterrent to break-ins, as it is tough for intruders to penetrate. Therefore, it’s a great choice for residential properties, shops, warehouses, and offices.
Popular Applications in Public Spaces
Due to its incredible versatility, tempered glass can be used across various industries and both commercial and residential areas.
Some of the more common applications include:
- Public transport: Used to construct bus shelters, airports, and metro stations.
- Educational facilities: Utilised to construct windows and doors, laboratories, and gymnasiums in schools.
- Commercial buildings: Incorporated into shopfronts, interior partitions, and balconies in office buildings, restaurants, and hotels.
- Recreational areas: Used for indoor and outdoor pool fencing, mirrors in gyms, and structures in playgrounds.
- Cultural spaces: Found in glass exhibits in museums, protective barriers in theatres, and sports arenas.
- Residential applications: Kitchen appliances (ovens, microwaves, etc.) and fireplaces, where exceptional heat resistance is crucial.
Regulatory Compliance and Standards in the UK
In the UK, implementing tempered glass in public spaces is not just a matter of preference but a legal requirement.
The Building Regulations 2010 (Part K) state that tempered glass must be used for glazing and stairs in public spaces to prevent the risk of injury.
The Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also state that glazing must protect against breakage, especially in workplaces. Tempered glass meets the highest classification (class A) under the British Standards (BS 6206) for safety glass, which is why it’s so commonly used in the construction of buildings in the UK.
Failure to comply with these standards jeopardises public safety, resulting in legal issues and hefty fines.
Invest In High-Quality Tempered Glass Installations With Tuffx
At Tuffx, all of our products are designed in compliance with UK building regulations for glass structures.
Each of our glass products undergoes rigorous manufacturing and safety inspection processes to ensure that each component meets a high standard. We provide toughened glass to take your architectural design to the next level.
If you’re renovating a public building, you can rely on us for safety, beautiful and unique structures, and long-lasting applications. Contact our team of experts today to discuss your project.