On Fri, 2 Dec 2011 09:50:09 +0000, interld
wrote:


A friend is about to built a hybrid of all three elements of a
Greenhouse/Glasshouse/Conservatory. I can not quite understand the
subtle differences between the three. His architect is asking for
glazing specifications.
Is Horticultural glass still used for anything or has H&S banned it?
Polycarbonate is out for fire reasons. Would safety glass allow all the
benefits of Horticultural glass without the inherent problems?

If an architect, closely involved in a project, cannot recommend
glazing specifications, you would be well advised not to rely on any
responses to your brief, and relatively uninformative, post from those
who are not. AFAIK "glasshouse" is what Americans call our
"greenhouse".

Horticultural glass is fine for glazing a greenhouse. My greenhouses
are glazed with double walled polycarbonate and have been for 20 years
- they have never caught fire. Polycarbonate is traditionally used to
roof conservatories which are attached to houses all over the country
without any apparent fire risk. That there is one indicates that there
is more to this project than a four sided structure with a roof on
top.

Depending on the primary use of whatever this structure is,
regulations relating to energy-efficient glazing may also apply. If
any form of planning or building control process is likely, then
advice from the appropriate inspectors would be better than any culled
from a web forum.

In any event, your friend will also need to consider any liability
that may arise from the use of this structure. If it is intended to be
a "habitable room" to any extent, consider the possibility of a child
using that "room" falling into horticultural glass and getting
injured.

Conversely safety glass, with energy efficient qualities, will not
necessarily be the best glass to use in a horticultural situation.

[If you had come to this newsgroup direct rather than through
Gardenbanter, I would have suggested asking your question in the DIY
newsgroup but that option isn't available via GB.]

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
Still waiting for the first frost at
the dryer (east) end of Swansea Bay.