Last update: 02.09.2019
Standards & norms
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CE qualificationCE is the abbreviation for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity). Products are identified with CE when they correspond with the coordinated European product standards.
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Cleaning of glassAs part of the facade, glass is subject to natural and building-related soiling. Normal dirt, professionally cleaned at reasonable intervals, presents no problem to glass.
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European standardsThe most important norms for the assessment and the use of glass in connection with buildings
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Glass edgesThe quality of glass edges of single panes that are built into a glass system has an enormous influence on the longevity of the product. Glass edges without further processing may show micro-cracks, which have negative effects and can lead, in extreme cases, to breakages.
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Glass thickness dimensioningThe installed glass is subject to different loads and should therefore be dimensioned according to the conditions. In addition to positive/negative wind and snow loads, its own weight and when using insulating glass, the climatic loads in the cavity should also be considered.
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Guidelines for assessing the visual quality of glass in buildingsThe appearance of coated glass and defect detection is described in the EN 1096-1 standard. The defects affecting appearance are specific to the glass substrate (e.g. float glass acc. to EN 572-2) or specific to the coating. If a defect specific to the glass substrate is more visible because of the coating, it will be treated as a coating defect.
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Material compatibilityAs a building material, glass comes into direct or indirect contact with a number of other materials such as PVB films, insulating glass edge seal, setting blocks, press sealing of pressure glazing or sealing mass and elements at joint gaps and glass corners.
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Tolerances for standardised requirementsThe basic principles for tolerances are specified in the applicable standards. However, these standards are not always sufficient in actual practice. This chapter therefore describes those applications that are listed in the standards where they are not clearly defined or are not specified at all.
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Transportation and storageGlass should generally be transported standing on its edge. This edge generally stands parallel on two cushioned supports.
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Glass edges
The quality of glass edges of single panes that are built into a glass system has an enormous influence on the longevity of the product. Glass edges without further processing may show micro-cracks, which have negative effects and can lead, in extreme cases, to breakages.
The quality of glass edges of single panes that are built into a glass system has an enormous influence on the longevity of the product. Glass edges without further processing may show micro-cracks, which have negative effects and can lead, in extreme cases, to breakages. The quality depends on the status of the cutting tools as well as on further edge processing. Definitions can be found in EN 12150.
Edge types
- Round edges (RK) This edge surface grinding is somewhat rounded. The most popular type by far is the “C edge”.
- Straight edge (K) The straight edge forms an angle of 90° to the glass surface.
- Mitre edge (GK) The mitre edge forms an angle between < 90° and ≥ 45° to the glass surface. There is no sharp edge but always a bevel of 90° to the glass surface.
- Facet edge (FK) In this case, there will be an optional angle deviating from 90° to the glass surface. Depending on the facet width, differentiations are made between flat and steep facets. In addition, the faceted edge runs towards a remaining 90° edge, thus a bevel that may also be rounded.

Edge processing

Edge geometries
