Al Futtaim Element Pendulum Glass Impact Tests

BS EN 12600 - Pendulum Glass Impact Tests

BS EN 12600 is the standard specifying pendulum glass impact test method for single flat panes of glasses for use in building. This test is intended to classify flat glass products in three principal classes by performance under impact and by the mode of breakage. The impact classification system in this standard relates to increasing personal safety by:

• the reduction of cutting and piercing injury to persons
• the containment characteristic of the glass

Why BS EN 12600?

As per UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice, it is mandatory that the glass used in the building is tested and classified as per BS EN 12600.

Glass manufacturers, Aluminium & Glass contractors, Main Contractors, Project Consultants and Project Clients must ensure that the product used, and the works carried out complies with local regulations and are fit for purpose. In order to establish the product compliance, it is necessary that it is tested in an independent third- party laboratory with international accreditation.

Al Futtaim Element Glass Impact Test Facility

Our test facility is indoor, under controlled temperature conditions and is accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) . The samples are conditioned for a minimum of 12 hours at temperature conditions of 20+5ºC and the test is also carried out at these conditions as required by the test standard.

Our glass impact test apparatus (test frame, glass clamping frame, impactor, suspension system, impact release mechanism) has been set up in strict accordance with the standard thus achieving the challenging calibration requirement of the test apparatus in full compliance to BS EN 12600.

Calibration of Glass Impact Test Apparatus - Why this is important

The test is carried out by raising the impactor to a specified drop height and then releasing to hit the glass sample clamped into the test frame. The calibration of the glass impact test apparatus is necessary to ensure that the impact energy transferred to the test piece is consistent.

The calibration is carried out on a 10mm thick toughened glass panel with appropriate strain gauges placed at the centre of the glass. The glass is impacted from the specified multiple drop heights. The instantaneous horizontal and vertical micro-strains on the glass panel are measured and recorded at each impact. The apparatus is successfully calibrated if the measured micro-strains are in accordance with the standard reference values.

Test Samples Requirement

This test is applicable for single flat panes of glass only and not applicable for multiple glazed units. The test pieces shall have the following dimensions:

• width  : 876 + 2mm
• height : 876 + 2mm

The test is destructive, and 12 no. of test pieces are required to be supplied.

We are able to perform this test with a very short lead-in time.