 Printer EmailAll building users should be able to enter and move around a building with the confidence that the doors, windows and balustrades they walk past or through are safe to use. Sadly, glass related accidents and injuries due to human impact with glazing products are all too common. Many of these accidents involve pain, suffering, broken bones and even death, and often occur because the glass or glazing material is either not visually apparent to the building user, is not a safety glass, or robust enough to withstand human impact. Part of the Health and Safety Commission's programme to reduce the number of accidents in the UK is to produce its own guidance, or to sponsor/endorse industry-written practical guidance for those who design, procure and manage architectural glazed elements in buildings. This Specifiers' Handbook is designed to facilitate a practical understanding of how to provide glazed elements that enable all users of all abilities to be safe as they walk around the buildings they use. Getting it right by design. The handbook covers the different uses of glass in buildings, including windows, doors, walls and partitions, balustrades, glazed entrance ways, floors, stairs, lifts, vision panels, protective screens, roof lights, display cases, conservatories, shower screens, signs and mirrors. This information should assist those responsible for the selection and specification of each element to make decisions that will lead to the procurement of the most suitable product, and will also assist people who are responsible for ongoing maintenance to understand the importance of regular checks. The Health and Safety Executive were delighted to sponsor this Centre for Accessible EnvironmentdRIBA Enterprises publication which should prove invaluable to designers, building owners and occupiers, building managers and facility managers in discharging their responsibilities for inclusive design in buildings of all types. This handbook covers the design criteria and detailed aspects of the different uses of glass in buildings, including windows, doors, walls and partitions, balustrades, glazed entrance ways, floors, stairs, lifts, vision panels, protective screens, rooflights, display cases, conservatories, shower screens, signs, and mirrors. It does not cover glass furniture or fittings, such as shelves. The handbook offers practical guidance to help designers, specifiers and facilities managers understand the design criteria for the inclusive use of glass in buildings, the different types of glass available, related legislation, building regulations and standards and operation and maintenance issues. The design guidance is supported by illustrations and case study examples that illustrate different uses of glass in a range of situations. Glazing in buildings can also be provided by transparent plastic material. These are not specifically covered in this handbook, although much of the guidance will be applicable. Glass is almost always installed as an integral part of any new development, and may be installed where improvements are being made to existing buildings. All new developments are subject to approval under Building Regulations, in which case the provisions in the relevant Approved Document, Technical Handbook or Technical Booklet will be applicable. Depending on the nature and extent of building improvements, approval under Building Regulations may or may not be required. Stephen Taylor RlBA
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