Safety & Testing
Are our balustrades safe enough for residential and commercial use?
At Balustradedesign, safety is a key priority throughout our product development. Our balustrades are designed and manufactured at our own facility in Ängelholm, Sweden, and their safety is verified through a variety of tests. This page provides an overview of how we test and manufacture our balustrades, and highlights the most important considerations when installing a balustrade, especially in elevated areas such as balconies.
Tests conducted on our balustrades
For our glass balustrades, impact tests are conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Nordic Balcony Association (Balkongföreningen i Norden). These tests are designed to ensure that the structure can withstand the loads that may occur in real-world environments.
We also conduct our own tests to ensure that materials, fasteners, and glass maintain the proper performance over time:
- Tensile tests: Assess the material’s resistance to pulling or stretching, simulating the force caused by leaning or accidental loads.
- Impact tests: Simulate a person falling or colliding with the balustrade to verify that the structure can absorb the impact.
Certified Manufacturing
Because we handle both design and production in-house, we have control over the quality of every balustrade we deliver. Every order is custom-made to your specifications and comes with a Declaration of Performance.
The manufacturing process is certified in accordance with EN 1090-1 and complies with the applicable Eurocodes for load-bearing capacity and performance. Production is continuously monitored by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), which is responsible for external oversight of traceability, quality, and the manufacturing process.
The following systems are manufactured in this way:
- Prime
- Arcus
- Forma
- Retro
- Color
- Tenso
- Linea
- Linea Step
- Flow
- Breeze
The Declaration of Performance and other documentation are available under the "Technical Information" tab for each product.
Balustrade usage classes – A, B, or C
When designing your balustrade, our usage classification (A, B, or C) provides guidance on where it is suitable to install it. The classes are based on UK building codes and standards such as BS 6180, combined with our own product testing. Factors such as height, section width, and component choices affect the class. You can view the class as a recommendation to help you choose the right solution for your environment.
Typical requirements based on location:
- Outdoor installations: Minimum balustrade height 1100 mm
- Indoor installations: Minimum balustrade height 900 mm
- Residential areas: Minimum linear load 0.74 kN/m
- Public areas: Minimum linear load 1.5 kN/m
- Arenas/shopping centers: Minimum linear load 3.0 kN/m
If you are designing a balustrade for a public or commercial project, please contact our team for professional guidance.
What the classes mean
Class A
Suitable for all residential settings and public spaces, such as offices, restaurants, and stores. Withstands a linear load of at least 0.74 kN/m. The glass elements are made of safety glass to prevent injury in the event of an impact.
Class B
Recommended for areas with a fall height between 0 and 1 meter. Withstands a linear load of at least 0.5 kN/m. If glass is used, it is safety glass.
Class C
Intended for ground-level installations. Glass elements (if included) are made of safety glass.
A configuration may be rated Class C if it deviates from our tested standard and is customized upon request. This means the specific setup has not been fully tested.
