ISO 12540-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 12540:2017 — Glass in building — Tempered soda lime silicate safety glass. This International Standard defines product descriptions and the required characteristics for flat thermally toughened (tempered) soda lime silicate safety glass intended for use in building and construction applications, including tolerances, flatness, edgework and fragmentation/ fracture characteristics.

Abstract

ISO 12540:2017 specifies product definitions and product characteristics of flat tempered soda lime silicate safety glass for buildings. It covers dimensional tolerances, flatness, edge finishing, physical and mechanical characteristics and fracture/fragmentation behaviour. The standard excludes curved (bent) glass (see ISO 11485) and notes that additional requirements may apply where tempered glass is incorporated into assemblies (for example laminated or insulating units) or receives further surface treatments.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in systematic review).
• Publication date: 20 March 2017 (Edition 1, 2017-03).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 81.040.20 (Glass in building).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: 33.

Scope

Applies to flat thermally toughened (tempered) soda lime silicate safety glass for use in buildings. The standard defines product types and gives requirements and tolerances for dimensions, flatness and edge finishing, describes fracture characteristics including fragmentation, and specifies relevant physical and mechanical characteristics. Curved (bent) glass is explicitly excluded (see ISO 11485 for curved tempered and laminated safety glass). It also highlights that assemblies (e.g., laminated glass, insulating glass units) or additional treatments (coatings, heat-soak, etc.) may be subject to further standards or product-specific requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Product definitions and classification for flat thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass.
• Dimensional tolerances, allowable deviations and flatness criteria for panes.
• Edgework and edge finishing requirements (acceptable edge conditions and inspection rules).
• Fracture behaviour and fragmentation requirements — classification of breakage and acceptable fragmentation characteristics for safety performance.
• Physical and mechanical characteristics (strength, surface stress considerations and related test/inspection notes).
• Exclusions and interfaces with other standards for curved glass and laminated/insulated assemblies.

Typical use and users

Used by glass manufacturers and processors, quality and testing laboratories, architects and structural engineers specifying glazing, façade and curtain-wall designers, glazing contractors, building code and product certification bodies, and procurement teams for construction projects where safety glass performance and conformity are required. The standard supports product specification, production quality control and conformity assessment activities.

Related standards

ISO 11485 (Curved glass — requirements for curved tempered and laminated safety glass) is referenced for bent/curved products; the ISO 12543 series covers laminated glass and laminated safety glass and is commonly used where tempered glass is combined into laminated assemblies. Other regional or product standards (for example EN standards for thermally toughened glass and product-specific ISO parts) are often used in conjunction with ISO 12540.

Keywords

tempered glass; thermally toughened glass; soda lime silicate; safety glass; fragmentation; fracture characteristics; tolerances; flatness; edgework; glazing; ISO/TC 160; glass in building.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 12540:2017 is an International Standard that specifies requirements for flat thermally toughened (tempered) soda lime silicate safety glass intended for building applications, covering product definitions, tolerances, physical and mechanical characteristics and fragmentation behaviour.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers dimensions, tolerances, flatness, edge finishing, physical and mechanical properties and fracture/fragmentation characteristics of flat tempered soda lime silicate safety glass. It does not cover curved (bent) glass (see ISO 11485) and notes that additional requirements may apply when tempered glass is incorporated into laminated or insulating assemblies.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers and processors of tempered glass, testing laboratories, architects and engineers, glazing installers, building regulators and certification bodies — any stakeholder who specifies, produces, tests or verifies safety glass for building use.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 12540:2017 is the current edition (Edition 1, published March 2017). The ISO record shows the publication was last reviewed and confirmed (systematic review) in 2022, so this edition remains current.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the body of ISO standards administered by ISO/TC 160 (Glass in building). It is related to other ISO glass standards such as the ISO 12543 series for laminated glass and ISO 11485 for curved glass; these are often used together when assemblies or curved products are involved.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tempered glass; toughened glass; soda lime silicate; safety glass; fragmentation; tolerances; flatness; edgework; glazing; ISO 12540.