NARM Safety Guidance on Glass Endorsed by ACR

AS AN INDEPENDENT authority on rooflight specification, the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers (NARM), publishes technical guidance on all aspects of specification, with a strong focus on safety.

For many years, NARM has recommended the use of laminated glass inner panes for glass rooflights. This removes the risk of glass debris falling onto building occupants in the event of a shattered pane: a risk that is present when toughened glass (sometimes referred to as safety glass) is used.

This position has now been further endorsed by ACR, the Advisory Committee for Roofsafety, a body dedicated to making working on roofs safer. Founded in 1998 by HSE, ACR comprises representatives of major roofing federations and associations, and HSE.

In its new Information sheet 5 ‘Glass Specification in Flat Rooflights’, ACR reiterates NARM guidance, stating that:

‘It is difficult to see how the use of a toughened rather than laminated glass inner pane doesn’t present a risk to anyone beneath the rooflight. The ACR, in common with the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) and the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers (NARM), strongly believes that any realistic risk assessment will lead to the selection of laminated glass.’

This action brings further pressure on BSI to amend its BS 5516-2: 2004 standard, in which toughened panes currently are allowable, subject to a risk assessment.

The document can be downloaded here.