AS 1288 decides what glass can legally go where in your home or business. Here’s the standard in plain English — and how to make sure your glass complies.
If you’re replacing glass in a Sydney home or business, the glass can’t just fit — it must comply with AS 1288, the Australian Standard for glass in buildings. Here’s what the standard means in plain English, where safety glass is mandatory, and how to make sure your replacement is compliant.
What Is AS 1288?
AS 1288 (Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation) is the Australian Standard that sets out which glass types, thicknesses and installation methods must be used in different parts of a building. It exists for one reason: ordinary annealed glass breaks into large, dagger-like shards that cause serious injuries. In designated “human impact” areas, the standard requires Grade A safety glass instead.
Where Is Safety Glass Mandatory?
Under AS 1288, Grade A safety glass (toughened or laminated) is generally required in:
- All doors — hinged, sliding and bifold, including sliding glass doors
- Side panels next to doors that could be mistaken for a doorway
- Low-level glazing — windows where the glass sits close to floor level
- Bathrooms — shower screens, bath enclosures and nearby windows
- Shopfronts and commercial entries with large panels at pedestrian level
- Balustrades, pool fencing and stairwell glazing
Toughened vs Laminated Glass: What’s the Difference?
Toughened (tempered) glass
Heat-treated to be four to five times stronger than ordinary glass. If it breaks, it crumbles into small blunt cubes rather than shards. Common in shower screens, doors and shopfronts.
Laminated glass
Two glass layers bonded to a plastic interlayer. When broken, the glass stays held together in the frame — which is why it’s favoured for security, noise reduction and safety. Learn more on our types of glass page.
How to Tell If Your Existing Glass Is Safety Glass
Compliant safety glass carries a permanent stamp in a corner of the pane showing the manufacturer, glass type and standard (e.g. “AS/NZS 2208”). No visible stamp on a door or low window? There’s a good chance the glass pre-dates modern requirements — worth assessing, especially in homes with children.
What Happens If You Install Non-Compliant Glass?
- Safety risk: annealed glass in impact areas causes a large share of serious glass injuries.
- Insurance issues: insurers can dispute claims involving non-compliant glazing.
- Sale and renovation headaches: building inspections can flag non-compliant glass, delaying settlements and approvals.
This is the strongest argument against DIY glass replacement — a licensed glazier is responsible for selecting compliant glass for the location. We’ve covered this in detail in professional glass replacement vs DIY repairs.
Compliant Glass Replacement Across Sydney
Skyview Glass is SGAA certified, fully licensed and insured. Every replacement we install — from a single window pane to a full shopfront — is specified to AS 1288. Call 1800 051 110 for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is safety glass required in all windows?
No. Standard windows above the low-level glazing thresholds can use ordinary glass. Safety glass is required in doors, low windows, bathrooms and other human-impact areas.
Can I replace door glass with normal glass?
No — AS 1288 requires Grade A safety glass in all door glazing. A licensed glazier will always fit compliant glass.
How do I know if my glass is AS 1288 compliant?
Look for a permanent stamp in the corner of the pane showing the standard mark. If there’s no stamp in a required location, have it assessed by a licensed glazier.
Does AS 1288 apply to shower screens?
Yes. Shower screens must be Grade A safety glass — typically toughened glass.
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