As high-rise developments continue to reshape skylines across the UK, the demand for balustrade systems that balance safety, sustainability and design freedom has never been greater.
Andy Lake, Pyroguard’s sales director for UK & Ireland, explores how innovations in glass technology are enabling modern balustrades to meet increasingly stringent regulations while delivering lighter, safer and more sustainable solutions for tall buildings.
Glass is a popular choice for balustrades for modern high-rise residential and commercial buildings, both for aesthetic and performance reasons. However, in 2020, Building Regulations introduced a ban on the use of combustible materials that are used within and on the external walls of buildings. This prevented certain types of laminated glass – those with PVB interlayers – being used for high-rise balconies or terraces on buildings that are 18 metres tall. These regulations were revised in 2022 to lower the threshold to 11 metres, reflecting an even more stringent approach to fire safety.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced additional measures aimed at enhancing the safety of high-rise buildings. This legislation placed greater accountability on architects and developers, making them responsible for ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations throughout the building’s lifecycle.
In March 2025, Approved Document B was further updated to remove all references to the British Standard reaction to fire test. The aim was to eliminate any confusion caused by operating a dual BS and EN system.
What does it mean for specifiers?
These regulatory changes have made the specification of materials for high-rise balconies more complex, as several materials that were previously common are now effectively prohibited. However, glass remains a popular choice for high-rise balustrading because of its contemporary appearance and aesthetic appeal, meaning designers and specifiers must now carefully evaluate how it can be incorporated while remaining compliant.
Monolithic glass vs. laminated glass
Monolithic glass, also known as single-pane glass, has traditionally been used in a range of glazing applications, including high-rise balconies. However, this type of glass can present safety risks, particularly in high-rise settings. One of the primary concerns is the potential for spontaneous breakage, which can create significant hazards for both occupants and any pedestrians below as fragments may fall from height.
Another limitation is that once monolithic glass has been significantly damaged, it does not provide a failsafe barrier, increasing the risk of falls from a balcony.
In contrast to monolithic options, traditional polymer-bonded laminated glass consists of multiple layers. This construction provides enhanced safety features, including the fact that in the event of breakage, the interlayer holds the glass together, preventing shards from falling and maintaining a barrier, therefore providing a higher level of safety. As laminated glass is designed to withstand high mechanical stresses this makes it less likely to break under pressure. However, the traditional type of laminated glass contains a PVB layer which is unlikely to meet the European A2 reaction to fire classification required by Approved Document B.
Non-flammable gel interlayers
In response to the changing regulatory landscape, Pyroguard introduced an innovative laminated glass solution that utilises a non-flammable gel interlayer.
Pyroguard Balustrades is a type of glass developed specifically for balustrade applications that achieves A2 fire-rated performance. This balustrade glass utilises an intumescent gel interlayer that is non-combustible and therefore compliant with the changes to the Building Regulations (Approved Document B).
This balustrade solution has been successfully used in various high-profile projects, including residential developments like Deanston Wharf in London and Quantock House in Somerset. These projects showcase the potential for integrating glass into high-rise designs without compromising safety.
Glass balustrades are most commonly specified for their ability to enhance the aesthetics of a building, as well as occupant experience and wellbeing. Pyroguard Balustrades laminated glass offers light transmission rates in the 84-88% range, striking an optimal balance between clarity and performance.
Fire safety glass – for a safer future
Fire safety regulations have brought about significant changes in the way glass is specified for high-rise balconies. Undoubtedly, the recent innovations in fire-rated glass have addressed the challenges posed by latest fire safety regulations while simultaneously enhancing performance characteristics.
Careful consideration of materials used and reassurance through test certification is helping specifiers of high-rise buildings to ensure they can still utilise glass balustrades to ensure aesthetic excellence in high-rise construction.