What is BS EN 1279‑1 - Insulating glass units in building about?
BS EN 1279‑1 is part one of a multi-series of European standards on insulating glass units in building which covers generalities, system description, rules for substitution, tolerances and visual quality.
BS EN 1279‑1 (all parts) covers the requirements for insulating glass units. The main intended uses of the insulating glass units are installations in windows, doors, curtain walling, bonded glazing for doors, windows and curtain walling, roofs and partitions.
The achievement of the requirements of BS EN 1279‑1 indicates that insulating glass units fulfill the needs for the intended use and ensures by means of the evaluation of conformity to this standard that, visual, energetic, acoustic, safety parameters do not change significantly over time.
Note: For glass products with electrical wiring or connections for, e.g. alarm or heating purposes, other directives, e.g. Low Voltage Directive, may apply.
Who is BS EN 1279‑1 - Insulating glass units in building for?
BS EN 1279‑1 on insulating glass units in building is useful for:
- Insulating glass units manufacturers
Why should you use BS EN 1279‑1 - Insulating glass units in building?
Insulated Glass combines two or more glass panes that are spaced apart and sealed with a sealant to appear as a single unit. Also called double glazing, IGUs are designed to reduce heat loss and solar heat gain entering the building, while reducing visible light transmittance. Hence they improve the thermal performance, and reduce energy costs. They can be fabricated to meet sound control requirements, seismic requirements, bullet resistance, hurricane and blast resistance requirements, impact resistance and state energy codes.
BS EN 1279‑1 gives definitions for insulating glass units and covers the rules for the system description, the optical and visual quality and the dimensional tolerances thereof and describes the substitution rules based on an existing system description.
BS EN 1279‑1 specifies generalities, system description, rules for substitution, tolerances and visual quality of insulating glass units in building.
With the use of BS EN 1279‑1 you can ensure that all the quality standards are met for the production of insulating glass units in building.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 1279‑1:2018 supersedes BS EN 1279‑1:2004, which is withdrawn.
BS EN 1279‑1:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 1279‑1:2004. These are:
- Example of system descriptions was added
- Annex B: examples of IGU systems were transferred from part 6
- Annex C compatibility of components was added
- Annex D: rules to substitute materials and components were revised and combined in this part
- Annex F: visual appearance requirements were added

