Regulations · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Glass partition manifestation and safety glazing rules (UK)
Why the rules exist
Floor-to-ceiling glass is popular because it keeps an office bright, but clear glass can be almost invisible, especially with lighting behind it. Walking into a glass screen can cause serious injury if the glass breaks dangerously. Two sets of rules apply. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require transparent or translucent surfaces in walls, partitions, doors and gates to be made of safety material or protected where necessary for health and safety, and to be marked so they are apparent. Approved Document K of the Building Regulations in England gives the practical guidance on where safety glazing and manifestation are needed in new work.
Critical locations for safety glazing
Approved Document K identifies critical locations, where people are most likely to collide with glass. In these places, glazing should break safely, be robust enough not to break, be in small panes, or be permanently protected.
| Location | Zone treated as critical |
|---|---|
| Glazed doors | From floor level up to 1500 mm |
| Side panels within 300 mm of a door edge | From floor level up to 1500 mm |
| Glazing in walls and partitions | From floor level up to 800 mm |
In practice, almost all modern glazed office partitions use toughened safety glass (BS EN 12150) or laminated safety glass (BS EN 14449) for the full height, tested for impact performance under BS EN 12600 and permanently marked. Laminated glass is often chosen for acoustic rooms because it also improves sound reduction, and it stays in place if it cracks.
Manifestation heights and design
Approved Document K recommends that manifestation on large areas of glazing in non-domestic buildings is placed within two height zones, so it is visible both to people standing and to children or wheelchair users.
| Zone | Height above finished floor |
|---|---|
| Lower band | 850 mm to 1000 mm |
| Upper band | 1400 mm to 1600 mm |
Manifestation can be dots, lines, logos, frosted bands, patterns or text, as long as it is permanent, clearly visible and contrasts with the background seen through the glass in different lighting conditions. A single thin line at one height is not usually enough. Many businesses turn it into a branding feature, using frosted film with the company logo, or a gradient that also gives some privacy.
When manifestation may not be needed
- Where the glazing is clearly obvious because of features such as framing, transoms or rails at the right heights
- Where permanent barriers or furniture stop people walking into the glass
- Where the glass is already obscured or patterned across the relevant zones
- On small panes where impact is unlikely
These are judgements, so agree them with whoever is responsible for building control sign-off and the fire and health and safety risk assessment, rather than assuming.
Glazed doors and side panels
Glass doors need the same manifestation as screens, and frameless glass doors also need handles and lock positions that make the door's edge and swing clear. Where a glazed door sits in a glazed screen, it should be easy to tell which panel is the door, for example by contrasting handle and frame, a different manifestation pattern or door signage. Doors on accessible routes also need visibility zones and suitable opening forces under Approved Document M.
Checklist for your partition project
- Ask the installer to confirm all glass is safety glass and permanently marked with the standard
- Agree the manifestation design and heights before the glass is ordered
- Check manifestation contrasts with what is behind the glass, such as a white wall or bright window
- Make sure glazed doors are distinguishable from adjacent panels
- For fire-rated glazing, check any film or etching is compatible with the fire certification
- Keep the glass specification in your handover file for building control and your landlord
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The heights above come from Approved Document K, which applies in England. Wales has its own Approved Document K with very similar guidance, Scotland covers safety glazing and manifestation in its Technical Handbooks, and Northern Ireland has its own Technical Booklets. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 apply across Great Britain, with equivalent regulations in Northern Ireland, so the basic duty to make glass safe and visible applies everywhere. The detailed numbers are very similar across the UK, but check the local guidance if your office is outside England.
Frequently asked questions
Do office glass partitions have to be safety glass?
Glass in critical locations must be safety glass or otherwise protected, and in practice full-height office partitions use toughened or laminated safety glass throughout. The Workplace Regulations also require transparent surfaces to be of safety material or protected where needed. Ask the installer to confirm the standard each pane meets and that it is permanently marked.
What height should manifestation be on glass doors?
Approved Document K recommends manifestation in two zones: 850 mm to 1000 mm and 1400 mm to 1600 mm above finished floor level. It should be permanent and contrast clearly with the background. Glass doors should also be distinguishable from the glass panels around them, for example through contrasting handles or a different pattern.
Can I use my company logo as manifestation?
Yes, a logo can work well as manifestation if it is placed within the required height zones, is large and continuous enough to make the glass obvious, and contrasts with what is behind it. Many businesses combine logos with dots or a frosted band to make sure the glass is clearly visible from a distance and in all lighting.
manifestation safety glass Approved Document K glazing
