This glazing calculator has been developed to assist you in identifying the appropriate glass to use based on HUMAN IMPACT SAFETY GLAZING NZS 4223.3:2016 effective from 30 May 2017. You can download a free copy of the Standard here. For instructions on how to place a shortcut to this website on your mobile phone or tablet home screen, see instructions at the bottom of this page.
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Window & Glass Association safety glazing calculator (NZS 4223), will allow
you to make clear and concise decisions of which glazing options to use.
Window & Glass Association safety glazing calculator (NZS 4223), will allow you to make clear and concise decisions of which glazing options to use.
What Type of Glazing?
- Select Glazing Type -
Results:
3 mm annealed – 0.1 sq m
4 mm annealed – 0.3 sq m
5 mm annealed and thicker – 0.5 sq m
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Results:
5 mm Tough minimum. Refer NZS 4223.1:2016 Appendix D for thickness
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Results:
6 mm Tough minimum. Refer NZS 4223.1:2016 Appendix D for thickness
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Results:
Acceptable if a flat panel of same type and thickness complies with NZS 4223.3:2016
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Results:
Approved fire protection safety glass as required. Grade B wired safety glass may be used to maximum areas in NZS 4223.3:2016 Table 1 provided it meets fire performance requirements.
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Results:
As required by NZS 4223.3:2016. Grade B safety glass, such as wired glass, to maximum area in Table 1 provided it meets the fire performance requirements
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Framing
- Select -
Results:
Comply with NZS 4223.3:2016 in all possible operable positions
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Results:
Doors using pivots or hinges
6 mm Tough minimum. Refer NZS 4223.1:2016 Appendix D for thickness
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Results:
10 mm Tough safety glass minimum subject to height and wind load
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Size
Pane is > 1000 mm high AND > 500 mm wide AND without compliant manifestation. This is capable of being mistaken for an unimpeded path of travel
Pane is < 1000 mm high, OR < 500 mm wide, OR has compliant manifestation. This is not capable of being mistaken for an unimpeded path of travel
Results:
Float glass
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Fall
Within 1000 mm of FFL for housing or 1100 mm for all other buildings, and safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more
Fall < 1000 mm
Safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more
Fall < 1000 mm
Fully framed
Partly framed
Fall
Fully framed
Partly framed
Fall
Safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more
Fall < 1000 mm
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Framing
- Select -
Framing Details
One or two opposite edges unframed
Two or more adjacent edges unframed
Framing
- Select -
- Select -
Results:
Glazing is not considered a side panel. Check low level glazing.
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Glazing
Single glazing
IGU
Falls
Safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more
Fall < 1000 mm
Fully framed
Partly framed
Safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more below window seat
Fall < 1000 mm
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Results:
Minimum 8 mm Tough safety glass subject to height
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Is glazing within 800 mm of doorway and 30 degree of plane of door?
Yes
No
Fall
Safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more
Falls < 1000 mm
Backed/Adhered
Fully backed and completely adhered to solid material - refer section 17
Not fully backed or adhered
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed with unframed side edges
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Location
Internal
External
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Framing Details
One or two opposite edges unframed
Two or more adjacent edges unframed
Results:
Refer NZS 4223.3:2016 Parts 1 and 4
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Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Framing
Fully Framed
Partly Framed
Framing
- Select -
Size
0.75 Sq m maximum
> 0.75 Sq m
Size
0.5 Sq m maximum
> 0.5 Sq m
Select type of high risk activity?
Glazing in accordance with NZS 4223.3 except:
- Select -
Framing
Fully framed
Partly framed
Glazing
Single glazing
IGU
Size
0.75 m2 or less
> 0.75 m2
Size
0.5 m2 maximum
> 0.5 m2
Framing Details
With unframed side edges, without exposed edges
With unframed side edges and exposed edges
Location
Internal
External
Location
Internal
External
Results:
Specific Design
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Results:
Tough or Lam safety glass to NZS 4223.3:2016 Table 1 except that 4 mm organic backed safety mirror may be used for fully framed door up to 2 Sq m maximum
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Results:
Glazing within 800 mm of the floor, ground or deck
Tough or lam safety glass to NZS 4223.3:2016 Table 1
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Results:
Two or more edges supported
Tough or Lam safety glass to specific design
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Results:
Unframed panels and doors using pivot or hinges
6 mm Tough safety glass minimum. Refer NZS 4223.1:2016 Appendix D for thickness
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Usecase
Internal use
External use
Important Information
- This guide must be used in conjunction with NZS 4223.3:2016. Do not rely on this calculator (NZS 4223) alone as this is not a full representation of the standard.
- NZS 4223.3 applies to glazing wholly or partly within 2000 mm of the floor or ground level that is not protected from human impact.
- Where required, manifestation is required between 800 mm and 1200 mm – refer clause 2.2. Manifestation is not required for housing.
- Each pane of safety glass shall be legibly and permanently marked. Refer clause 2.8.
- Where there is likely to be human impact on both sides of a unit, both panes of the IGU shall comply with NZS 4223.3
- Where there is only likely to be human impact on one side of a unit, only the pane on that side shall apply.
- Where glazing safeguards a fall of 1000 mm or more, human impact is unlikely to occur on the outer pane of an IGU. The outer pane is normally designed for wind loading.
- Annealed glass may be used for the middle pane of a triple IGU, subject to wind load requirements.
- Balustrades, fences and screens are not covered by this guide. Refer section 22 Barriers.
- Check all external glazing for NZS 4223.4 wind load requirements. Thicker glass may be required.
The following are excluded from NZS 4223.3:2016:
- Glazing in lift cars and liftwells
- Furniture glass, cabinet glass, vanities, glass basins, refrigeration units, internal glass fitments, glass wall linings, framed internal wall mirrors and mirrors not specifically covered.
- Buildings and structures with public access intended for non-inhabitable building structures for horticulture or agricultural use.
- Restoration or repairs to existing decorated glass Glazing that might fail due to stresses other than tensile stresses, such as glass floors
- Plastic glazing materials
- Construction and installation of windows
- Glass blocks, pavers, slumped, formed or cast glass
- Point-fixed or point-supported systems, used for glazing, cladding, signage, and the like, not specifically covered.
Instructions for adding a shortcut icon on your mobile phone or tablet
Android Instructions
On your android phone or tablet while in the Chrome browser (viewing this page), click on the 3 dots in the top right corner (settings) and select ‘Add to Home screen’ – This will create a Safety Glass Calculator shortcut icon on your devices homescreen.
IOS Instructions
On your iPhone or iPad while in the Chrome or Safari browser (viewing this page), click on the Share icon at the bottom of the browser and select ‘Add to Home screen’ – This will create a Safety Glass Calculator shortcut icon on your devices homescreen.
The Share icon will look something like this:
