Guide · Clear glass
When do you need safety glass? AS 1288 in plain English
Where Australian Standard AS 1288 requires toughened or laminated safety glass: doors, side lights, low glass, showers and balustrades.
Quick answer: under AS 1288, Grade A safety glass (toughened or laminated) is required in doors, in glass beside doors, in low glass close to the floor (generally below 500mm), in shower screens and bath enclosures, and in balustrades. Glass table tops and shelves are not covered, but toughened is recommended. This is a plain-English summary; check the exact rule for your panel with your installer or building certifier.
Where safety glass is required
- Doors. Any glazed panel in a door.
- Beside doors. Side lights next to a door, where someone could mistake the glass for the doorway.
- Low glass. Glass close to the floor, generally below about 500mm, where someone could walk or fall into it.
- Bathrooms. Shower screens and bath enclosures.
- Balustrades and stairs. These also have structural rules, so use an installer.
Toughened or laminated
Toughened glass is about four to five times stronger than ordinary glass and breaks into small blunt pieces. It suits doors, showers and table tops. It cannot be cut or drilled after toughening. Laminated glass has a plastic layer inside that holds the pieces together when it breaks. It suits overhead glass, balustrades and security. See laminated glass.
What is not safety glass
Patterned glass, frosted or acid etched glass, wired glass and thicker ordinary glass are not safety glass unless they are toughened or laminated.
Price difference
A 600 × 900mm piece of 6mm clear glass with polished edges is $177.21, or $197.70 toughened, including delivery in Perth. Tick "Toughened safety glass" on any product page.
Common questions
Does a shower screen have to be safety glass?
Yes. Shower screens and bath enclosures must be Grade A safety glass, which in practice means toughened glass.
Does glass in a door have to be safety glass?
Yes. Any glazed panel in a door needs Grade A safety glass, and so do side lights next to a door.
Is frosted or patterned glass safety glass?
No. Frosting and patterns are decorative. The glass is safety glass only when it is toughened or laminated.
Does a glass table top need to be toughened?
AS 1288 does not cover furniture, so it is not required. We recommend toughened for table tops because ordinary glass breaks into large sharp pieces.