CAN CGSB 12.1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

CAN/CGSB-12.1-2017 — Safety glazing. This Canadian national standard specifies impact-related test methods and minimum performance characteristics intended to reduce the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries when glazing materials used in areas of human impact are broken. It updates and broadens previous CGSB guidance on tempered and laminated safety glass and was issued with an early corrigendum (CORR 1).

Abstract

CAN/CGSB-12.1-2017 defines test procedures and classification criteria (including Class A and Class B impact levels) for glazing intended to protect occupants from injuries caused by broken glass. The standard focuses on safety performance and test methods and does not address strength, durability, fire-rating, appearance or installation methods. A corrigendum was published shortly after release to correct editorial/technical items.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (superseded by CAN/CGSB-12.1-2022).
• Publication date: 2017-01-31 (published/issued 1 February 2017; Corrigendum 1 dated 2017-03-01).
• Publisher: Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) / Standards Council of Canada (as the national standards publication).
• ICS / categories: 81.040.20 (Glass in building / Safety glazing).
• Edition / version: 2017 edition (CAN/CGSB-12.1-2017).
• Number of pages: Approximately 38 pages (2017 edition).

Scope

Applies to glazing materials that have been subjected to the test methods described in the standard and establishes minimum safety performance to reduce cutting and piercing injuries from broken glazing in areas of human impact (see annexes in the standard for locations). The standard explicitly excludes certain monolithic glass types (annealed, heat‑strengthened, chemically strengthened, glass‑ceramic and traditional wired glass) from being considered safety glazing unless they are modified (e.g., laminated or filmed) to meet the performance criteria. The document does not cover structural design, fire‑rating, weathering, appearance or installation.

Key topics and requirements

• Impact‑testing classification: Class A (higher severity) and Class B (lower severity) impact levels with specified drop heights/energies used to classify glazing performance.
• Minimum performance criteria aimed at reducing cutting and puncture injuries from broken glass fragments.
• Exclusion/rehabilitation of traditional wired glass in safety locations — wired glass does not meet the standard's safety impact classifications unless modified.
• Referenced test methods and procedural details for conducting impact tests, sample preparation and interpretation of results (including annexes identifying human‑impact areas).
• Corrigendum (CORR 1) published to address early corrections to the 2017 edition.

Typical use and users

Used by glass manufacturers, fabricators, testing laboratories, architects, code officials, building owners and product certifiers to test, certify and specify safety glazing for doors, sidelites, partitions, shower enclosures and other locations where human impact safety is required. It is also used by insurers and risk managers assessing glazing risk.

Related standards

Replaces earlier CAN/CGSB-12.1-M90 (Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass) and was itself superseded by CAN/CGSB-12.1-2022. The 2017 edition led to withdrawal of older wired‑glass guidance (CAN/CGSB-12.11) and aligned Canadian test/class criteria more closely with other North American standards (for example ANSI Z97.1 / CPSC test approaches). Subsequent updates (2022 edition) formalized revisions and remain the current reference.

Keywords

safety glazing, impact test, CAN/CGSB-12.1-2017, CGSB, tempered glass, laminated glass, wired glass exclusion, Class A, Class B, corrigendum.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: CAN/CGSB-12.1-2017 is the Canadian national standard titled "Safety glazing" that defines impact test methods and minimum performance criteria for glazing used in human‑impact locations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test methods, classification (Class A and B impact levels), and performance requirements intended to minimize cutting and puncture injuries from broken glazing. It does not address installation, fire‑rating, appearance or structural strength.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Glass manufacturers, testing laboratories, architects, code officials, product certifiers, building owners and insurers use the standard to test, certify and specify safety glazing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: CAN/CGSB-12.1-2017 has been superseded by CAN/CGSB-12.1-2022; the 2017 edition is listed as withdrawn in national records and the 2022 edition is the current standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the CAN/CGSB-12 series covering glass in building applications (other related documents include historical M90 editions and specific documents for insulating glass, wired glass (withdrawn), patterned glass and structural glass topics).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Safety glazing, impact testing, Class A, Class B, tempered glass, laminated glass, wired glass, CGSB, corrigendum.