Understanding Ontario Regulatory Requirements For Glass Balustrades

Last time, we gave you a basic breakdown of glass balustrades – things every contractor in Ontario should know. This time, we are taking it up a notch to discuss something much more critical: code requirements surrounding the installation of these structures in Ontario buildings and homes. 

Every modern high-rise construction in the province faces immense scrutiny from regulatory bodies. That means you should be well-prepared for inspections, and the only way to do that is to use code-compliant balustrades. 

In today’s guide, HaloGlass – Ontario’s top balustrades and Juliet balconies provider – will focus on common glass balustrade compliance issues and how you can avoid them. 

What Are Common Code Violations When It Comes To Glass Balustrades & How To Avoid Them?

From guard height issues to using the wrong glass type, errors that might seem small at face value can quickly turn into code violations if you don’t install glass balustrades the right way. Here’s how to avoid these issues:

• Guard height

While you can argue that guard height should be dependent on the aesthetic requirements of your project, that would be a rather narrow perspective. 

The entire purpose of a glass balustrade is to be a safety guard against accidental trips and falls, and there are strict height and placement rules concerning that. 

Having guards in place is mandatory for structures such as balconies, terraces, landings, etc. – basically anywhere a fall risk exists. That said, height compliance issues can arise when the finished floor level changes from what was specified. As a result, guard heights that seem compliant on paper fall short after slope adjustments are made or flooring and membranes are installed.

To prevent this from happening, you must verify the specified guard height against finished floors before installing them. This will help you avoid failed inspections and last-minute corrections. 

• Glass type and glazing requirements

You have to be very careful about the type of glass you choose for balustrades. Why? Because they are critical for safety. The wrong glass type can severely compromise their ability to protect against slips, falls, and other types of accidents. Hence, the glass you choose must meet specific safety glazing requirements. 

The most common choice, in this regard, is laminated glass as it offers superior post-breakage performance. Since laminated glass is capable of staying intact even when broken, it can still prevent falls. However, many contractors end up using tempered glass, which, though tough, shatters completely on impact, thus making it a poor choice for guard applications. 

Our advice? Stick to laminated glass instead of tempered glass. It’s a smart and easy way to maintain compliance and win inspections. 

• Load and impact performance expectations

Balustrades need to be strong enough to withstand any kind of impact for them to be considered code-compliant. They should be able to resist horizontal loads, concentrated forces, as well as top-edge impacts. The elements that help in the effective transference of these loads include the glass, the fixing systems, and the anchors used. 

Thinking that simply using thicker glass will result in load and performance compliance is a common misconception because load resistance depends on the entire system together. Not a standalone element. 

We recommend using engineered balustrade systems that meet the load requirements of your project as well as regulatory standards to avoid any issues. 

• Fixing and anchoring expectations

Finally, you might think the smallest items would be skipped during inspections, but inspectors tend to focus heavily on the anchor system you use to install balustrades. While their aesthetics are irrelevant when it comes to compliance checks, the way the fixing systems have been engineered and installed needs to be up to code.

Don’t worry if you are using bolt-mounted glass balustrades, though. Despite their minimalism, they can still be fully compliant if they are properly designed – especially if they tick the following boxes:

• Proper anchor placement 
• Use of approved fasteners
• Consistent spacing
• Correctly prepared substrate 

Avoid unapproved field modifications and be thorough so you don’t miss any anchors, as both of these are considered red flags during inspection. 

Conclusion

Having a deep understanding of Ontario regulatory requirements when it comes to glass balustrade installation can prevent costly reworks, failed inspections, and unnecessary delays. However, the fastest way to ensure you pass all inspection checks is to source your balustrade systems from the right supplier.

HaloGlass provides top-notch, code-compliant glass balustrade systems in Ontario. Contact us to enquire how our balconies fit into any modern high-rise and contribute to its overall safety and aesthetics.