A pendulum impact test is a standardized test in accordance with EN 12600 that demonstrates how safety glass withstands a strong impact and how it behaves if it breaks. The glass is struck by a pendulum-mounted impact body dropped from specified heights, and the results show both the level of stress and the fracture pattern.
This test is important for glass railings, since the glass may be subjected to impacts from people or objects. Safety glass must not only be strong but also exhibit controlled fracture behavior, and the test can distinguish between laminated and tempered glass. The test applies to the glass itself, not the entire railing—mountings, posts, and other components must also be properly dimensioned.
