Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step method for the safe and compliant installation of fire-resistant glass in Australian workplaces and construction projects. It helps your team control high‑risk activities such as handling fragile, heavy glass and maintaining fire ratings, while supporting compliance with WHS duties and building fire safety requirements.

Installing fire-resistant glass is a critical safety task that directly affects a building’s ability to contain fire and smoke, protect egress routes, and safeguard occupants. Unlike standard glazing, fire-rated systems rely on exacting installation methods, compatible framing, and meticulous sealing to maintain their certified fire performance. This SOP provides a structured, repeatable process for planning, executing, and verifying fire-resistant glass installations so that what is designed, specified, and certified is actually delivered on site.

The procedure addresses both WHS risk management and fire compliance obligations under Australian legislation and standards. It guides workers through pre-start checks, handling and lifting techniques for heavy and fragile glass, correct use of fixings and fire-rated sealants, and final inspection against manufacturer requirements and building approvals. By adopting this SOP, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of glass breakage injuries, falls, and manual handling incidents, while also minimising the chance of non-compliant installations that compromise fire compartments, delay occupancy certificates, or expose the PCBU to enforcement action and costly rectification works.

Key Benefits

• Ensure fire-resistant glass is installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions, fire test reports and Australian building requirements.
• Reduce the risk of worker injury from glass handling, cutting, lifting, and working at height.
• Minimise costly rework, defect notices and delays caused by non-compliant fire-rated glazing installations.
• Standardise installation practices across crews and subcontractors, supporting consistent quality and WHS performance.
• Demonstrate due diligence and WHS compliance through documented, auditable installation procedures.

Who is this for?

• Glaziers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Fire Safety Engineers
• Building Certifiers
• Facilities Managers
• Principal Contractors
• Architects and Building Designers

Hazards Addressed

• Lacerations and crush injuries from handling large, heavy or fragile glass panels
• Musculoskeletal disorders from awkward postures and manual handling of glass and frames
• Falls from height during installation in stairwells, atriums, and external façades
• Failure of fire-resistant glass systems due to incorrect fixings, gaps or incompatible sealants
• Exposure to dust, fumes or chemicals from cutting, drilling or sealing operations
• Struck-by incidents from glass slips, breakage or shifting during lifting and positioning
• Non-compliant fire separation leading to increased fire and smoke spread risk

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisor, Glaziers, WHS Personnel)
• 4.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 5.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Fire-Rated Materials
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 7.0 Pre-Installation Planning and Risk Assessment
• 8.0 Verification of Fire-Rated Glass, Frames and Documentation
• 9.0 Site Preparation, Access and Housekeeping Controls
• 10.0 Manual Handling and Lifting Procedures for Glass Panels
• 11.0 Working at Heights Controls for Fire-Resistant Glazing
• 12.0 Step-by-Step Fire-Resistant Glass Installation Procedure
• 13.0 Use of Fixings, Intumescent Materials and Fire-Rated Sealants
• 14.0 Quality Checks, Tolerances and Compliance Verification
• 15.0 Post-Installation Cleaning, Protection and Handover
• 16.0 Hazard Identification and Control Measures
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures (Glass Breakage, Injury, Fire Event)
• 18.0 Inspection, Testing, Maintenance and Recordkeeping
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory WHS Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements for fire-resisting construction and fire hazard properties
• AS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS 1530 series: Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures (as applicable to fire-resistant glazing systems)
• AS 1905.1: Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls – Fire-resistant doorsets (referenced where doorsets incorporate fire-resistant glazing)
• AS/NZS 1170 series: Structural design actions (for load considerations on glazed systems)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks