The issue regularly comes up in my daily regulatory and compliance work. I have been to countless training seminars and I understand the requirements of Sections 3 and 7 of AS1288 glazing in buildings – selection and installation.
Why do I keep seeing spigots and stand offs used in glass balustrades on site?
I conducted a pool fencing inspection this week which included a glass fence on a timber deck that also acted as a balustrade due to the pool deck being greater than 1m above ground level.
The glass balustrade was supported by two spigots on top of the timber deck. This does not comply with AS1288 Section 7. Therefore I could not pass the inspection. I spoke with the supplier who confirmed that they had a ‘compliant’ test report for spigots on concrete but no test report on timber.
When I asked ‘how can you sell a glass fencing and spigot system and without a test report for timber knowing it does not meet AS1288 Section 7?’ Their answer was ‘we just tell them to get engineer’s certification’.
Engineer’s certification is not enough. Any spigot or stand off whether it is on timber, concrete or otherwise requires a performance solution. Why is this issue still commonplace in the construction industry?
