BS 6180:2011 - Barriers in and about building

In our post dated 27th January 2011 we highlighted the issues concerning glass balustrades and the need for handrails. The new British Standard has now been completely revised and has addressed this issue.


The standard now provides the following guidance on free-standing glass protective barrier.

‘In this type of barrier, the glass should be designed to withstand the design loads. Each glass plate should be clamped to the structure along its bottom edge, the handrail attached to the top edge of the glass and there should be no balusters. In the event that a free-standing barrier is supplied without a handrail, each panel should be able to withstand the appropriate design load'.