Glass manifestation

Manifestation is a treatment that can be applied to glass windows, doors, partitions and any other large expanses of clear glass, in order to make the glass visible, preventing injury through collisions. It can also help enhance privacy and can be decorative.

Manifestation is typically created from a frosted film applied at specified locations on clear glass to make it more easy to detect.

Building regulations requirement K5.2: Manifestation of glazing, states that:

Approved document K, Protection from falling, collision and impact, suggests that this requirement will be satisfied by including permanent means of indicating the presence of large uninterrupted areas of transparent glazing, and Section 7 of the approved document provides further details, requiring that either:

The most simple manifestation is two rows of 50-75 mm white or frosted dots, however, the regulations do not dictate the appearance of the manifestation. Standard designs of dots, squares and simple bands are common, but large panels in etched or printed film with cut-out clear spaces, or branded manifestation with logos or other designs are also acceptable.

Alternative solutions such as mullions, transoms, door frames or large pull handles / push plates may also be acceptable.

In addition, doors should be apparent from the side, if they can be held open, and where glazed doors are beside a glazed screen, they should be marked with a high contrast strip along the top and at both sides.

The approved document to Part M of the Building Regulations - access to and use of buildings - states that people with visual impairment should be in no doubt as to the location of glass doors and screens, and steps should be taken to avoid people being harmed by walking into them. This requirement is satisfied if they comply with approved document K, section 7.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BFRC window rating scheme.
• Curved glass.
• Doors.
• Glass.
• Glass block flooring.
• Glazing.
• Low-E glass.
• Patent glazing.
• Security glazing.
• Types of window.

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