Why 12mm Clear Toughened Glass Alone Doesn’t Always Meet Safety Requirements for Balustrades and Why Safety Laminate is the Smarter Choice - By JTS Glass Services — Experts in Glass

Why 12mm Clear Toughened Glass Alone Doesn’t Always Meet Safety Requirements for Balustrades — and Why Safety Laminate is the Smarter Choice

By JTS Glass Services — Experts in Glass Pool Fencing, Balustrades, and Shower Screens across Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, and the Hunter Region

The Misconception

Many builders, homeowners, and even some installers believe 12mm clear toughened glass is the gold standard for frameless glass balustrades. It’s strong, it’s durable, and it’s been widely used for years.But here’s the problem: strength alone doesn’t guarantee compliance or safety — especially under the requirements of Australian Standard AS 1288:2021 – Glass in Buildings.

What AS 1288 Actually Says

AS 1288 lays out the specific performance and installation requirements for glass used in barriers, including balustrades.Key points relevant to this discussion:

1. Barrier glass must remain in place if broken in situations where a fall is possible.

2. If a glass panel is toughened only and it shatters, it breaks into small, blunt pieces — but it also leaves a completely open void, which is a serious fall hazard.

3. Safety laminate provides redundancy — even if the glass cracks, the interlayer holds the panel together and in place until it’s replaced.
   

Where 12mm Toughened Falls Short

• Post-break performance: Toughened glass can pass strength tests when intact, but the moment it’s impacted beyond its tolerance, it fails completely and instantly.

• Fall prevention: In elevated areas (balconies, decks, staircases), the absence of the panel after breakage is a non-compliance risk under AS 1288.

• Wind load and crowd pressure: In public or high-traffic areas, repeated minor impacts can compromise toughened glass faster than most people realise.
  

Why Safety Laminate Is the Better Option

Safety laminate combines two or more glass layers bonded with a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or SGP interlayer.Benefits:

• Complies with AS 1288’s containment requirement — even after breakage, the panel stays in place.

• Extra security — harder to breach from impacts or deliberate damage.

• Noise and UV reduction — bonus comfort and protection for homeowners.

• Future-proofing — as code enforcement tightens, laminated solutions will already meet or exceed requirements.
  

Real-World Implications

If you install or approve 12mm toughened-only balustrades on a balcony or any drop over 1 metre, you risk:

• Non-compliance with AS 1288’s containment clause.

• Liability in the event of injury or a fall.

• Costly replacements when inspections fail or owners request upgrades.
  

The JTS Glass Standard

At JTS Glass Services, we’re committed to exceeding minimum compliance. For frameless balustrades, we recommend laminated toughened safety glass as standard in all fall-risk installations.It’s not just about ticking a compliance box — it’s about protecting people.

References

• Australian Standard AS 1288:2021 – Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation (Sections 7.2 & 7.3 — Barriers and Balustrades)

• Australian Glass and Glazing Association (AGGA) – Technical Bulletin TB-134: Use of Laminated Glass in Barriers
  

Call to Action

If you’re building, renovating, or replacing balustrades, don’t settle for outdated “minimum spec” installs.Talk to JTS Glass Services about a safety-first laminated balustrade system that looks stunning and protects your family or clients for decades.

Call us on 0420 998 186 --Request your free quote at www.JTSGlassServices.com -- See our work at www.Instagram.com/JTSGlassServices