What Is Category A or Category 2 Safety Glass?

When specifying glass for windows and doors in Australia, you may come across terms such as Category A safety glass or Category 2 safety glass. These classifications relate to how glass performs when subjected to impact testing and are important for ensuring occupant safety in residential and commercial buildings.

If you’re wondering “What is Category A or Category 2 safety glass?”, it’s important to understand that the terminology has changed over time.

Under the current Australian Standards, the preferred classifications are Category A and Category B safety glass. The older term Category 2 safety glass is still commonly used within the building industry because it appeared in earlier versions of the standards.

What Is Safety Glass?

Safety glass is glazing that is designed to reduce the risk of serious injury if the glass is broken.

Unlike ordinary annealed glass, safety glass is manufactured so that it either:

• Breaks into smaller, less hazardous fragments, or
• Remains bonded together after breakage, reducing the chance of dangerous sharp shards.

Safety glass is commonly used in:

• External doors
• Sliding doors
• Hinged doors
• Low-level windows
• Bathrooms
• Stairways
• Commercial buildings
• Schools
• Public buildings

What Is Category A Safety Glass?

Category A safety glass is the highest commonly specified impact classification under Australian Standards for architectural glazing.

Glass classified as Category A has successfully passed impact testing designed to demonstrate that it provides a high level of protection against injury.

Common examples include:

• Toughened (tempered) glass
• Laminated safety glass (when manufactured and tested to meet Category A requirements)

Category A safety glass is widely used in locations where human impact is more likely.

What Is Category 2 Safety Glass?

The term Category 2 safety glass comes from earlier editions of Australian glazing standards.

Today, this classification is generally referred to as Category B safety glass under the current Australian Standard.

Although many builders and suppliers still use the term “Category 2,” current Australian documentation generally references Category A and Category B.

Category B safety glass provides a lower impact classification than Category A but may still be suitable for certain applications, depending on the project requirements.

Category A vs Category B (Formerly Category 2)

For many residential and commercial projects, Category A safety glass is the preferred choice because it offers a higher level of impact performance.

Where Is Safety Glass Required?

Australian Standards require safety glazing in many locations where people may come into contact with glass.

Common examples include:

• Entry doors
• Sliding glass doors
• Hinged doors
• Full-height glazing
• Low-level windows
• Bathrooms
• Shower screens
• Stairways
• Areas adjacent to walkways

The exact requirements depend on the building design and glazing location.

Which Australian Standard Covers Safety Glass?

Safety glazing is primarily addressed by AS1288 – Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation.

AS1288 provides guidance for:

• Where safety glass is required
• Appropriate glazing selection
• Glass thickness
• Installation requirements
• Human impact considerations

Window systems themselves are commonly designed in accordance with AS2047, while AS1288 determines the appropriate glazing specification.

Common Types of Category A Safety Glass

Toughened Glass

Toughened glass is heat-treated to increase its strength.

When broken, it shatters into many small fragments rather than large sharp pieces, helping reduce the risk of serious injury.

Typical applications include:

• Sliding doors
• Hinged doors
• Large windows
• Commercial glazing

Laminated Safety Glass

Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with an interlayer.

If broken, the glass fragments remain attached to the interlayer, helping maintain the integrity of the panel.

Common applications include:

• Shopfronts
• Entry doors
• Overhead glazing
• Security glazing
• Noise reduction applications

How to Choose the Right Safety Glass

The appropriate safety glass depends on several factors, including:

• Building type
• Window or door location
• Glass size
• Human impact risk
• Building regulations
• Architectural design

Builders and architects typically determine the glazing specification during the design stage.

Why Choosing the Right Window Manufacturer Matters

Selecting the correct glazing is only one part of achieving a high-performing window system.

An experienced manufacturer should provide:

• Custom aluminium window and door systems
• Appropriate glazing recommendations
• Technical documentation
• Shop drawings
• Project coordination
• Manufacturing tailored to Australian projects

MEICHEN Windows & Doors manufactures customised aluminium windows and doors for residential and commercial developments across Australia. Our team works closely with builders, architects, and developers to recommend glazing solutions that suit each project’s safety, performance, and design requirements.

Common Misconceptions

“Category 2 safety glass is a different type of glass.”

Not necessarily.

“Category 2” is an older classification term that is generally equivalent to what is now referred to as Category B safety glass.

“All safety glass is the same.”

No.

Different types of safety glass provide different levels of impact performance, strength, and post-breakage behaviour.

“Ordinary glass can be used everywhere.”

Incorrect.

Many locations within Australian buildings require safety glazing because of the increased risk of human impact.

Conclusion

Category A and Category B (formerly known as Category 2) are impact classifications used to describe the performance of safety glass under Australian Standards.

For many modern residential and commercial projects, Category A safety glass is the preferred choice because it offers a higher level of impact performance and is commonly specified for doors, low-level glazing, and other high-risk locations.

When designing aluminium window and door systems, working with an experienced manufacturer like MEICHEN Windows & Doors helps ensure that the glazing specification is appropriate for your project’s performance, safety, and design requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Category A safety glass?

Category A safety glass is a high-impact classification of safety glazing that provides enhanced protection against injury when glass is subjected to human impact.

What is Category 2 safety glass?

Category 2 is an older industry term that generally corresponds to Category B safety glass under the current Australian Standards.

Is toughened glass Category A?

Many toughened glass products are manufactured and tested to meet the requirements for Category A safety glass, depending on the specific product and application.

Which Australian Standard covers safety glass?

AS1288 – Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation provides the requirements for selecting and installing safety glazing in Australian buildings.

Why choose MEICHEN Windows & Doors?

MEICHEN Windows & Doors supplies customised aluminium window and door systems with glazing options tailored to Australian residential and commercial projects, helping builders, architects, and developers achieve the performance, safety, and design outcomes required for each project.