On 10 October 2017, Hans Schefferlie issued a notice on behalf of the AAAMSA Group with regards to the replacement of glazing materials following recent wind damage caused by adverse weather conditions.
He makes note of Part A of the National Building Regulations, issued in terms of the National Building Regulations Building Standards Act 1977 and states that this Act requires in Regulation A1 (8) (a) that alterations shall comply with the requirements of the Act.
Quote: “Hence replacement glazing shall be executed strictly in accordance with SANS 10400-N: 2012 Edition 3 which states, inter alia, that safety glazing materials shall comply with SANS 1263-1 shall be used where:
All glazing for occupancy or building classification is A3 (places of instruction), E1 (place of detention), E2 (hospital), E3 (other institutional (residential buildings) and H2 (dormitory). Where such is associated with a building of occupancy classification A3, E1, E2 or E3 shall be safety glazing material that complies with the requirements of SANS 1263-1” Unquote
Replacement glazing NBR 10 November 2017
What does this mean for the balustrade industry?
All Glass Balustrade systems must be tested by a professional structural engineer to comply with:
SABS 0104 Edition 2 1991 – Handrailing and Balustrading (safety aspects)
SANS 10400-A: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – General Principals and Requirements
SANS 10400-B: 2012 Edition 3 – NBR – Structural design
SANS 10400-D: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Public safety
SANS 10400-M: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Stairways
SANS 10400-N: 2010 Edition 3 – NBR – Glazing
SANS 10400-S: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Facilities for persons with disabilities
SANS 10400-T: 2011 Edition 3 – NBR – Fire protection
SANS 10160-2: 2011 Edition 1.1 – Self-weight and imposed loads
SANS 10160-3: 2011 Edition 1.1 – Wind actions
SANS 10137: 2011 Edition 4 – The installation of glazing in buildings
SANS 1263-1: 2006 Edition 3.1 – Park 1: Safety performance of glazing materials under human impact
Stainless Steel Post and Glass Balustrade Options for Residential and Commercial Applications:
Engineering calculations show that all balustrades that are framed two sides (uprights and glass clamps) requires a minimum of 10mm and possibly up to 20mm thick toughened safety glass dependent on the occupancy classification.
A Handrail is compulsory on this balustrade system.
Frameless Glass Balustrade Options for Residential and Commercial Applications:
Engineering calculations show that all balustrades that are frameless requires a minimum of 12mm and possibly up to 20mm thick toughened safety glass dependent on occupancy classification.
A Handrail is compulsory in the event that frameless glass is not fixed in a permanent concrete or steel channel.
Design with caution:
All glass balustrade systems must be designed and tested in consultation with a professional structural engineer and in accordance with SANS deemed to satisfy requirements.
In line with structural engineer’s calculations and SANS 10160 loading requirements, all balustrades will be designed to comply with the relevant occupation categories as outlined in SANS 10160 eg. 0.5kN/m, 1kN/m, 1.5kN/m and 3kN/m.
All glass balustrade systems must withstand a 400 Joule soft body impact test.