How to Write Toughened Glass Specifications for RFQs

A strong Indian toughened glass RFQ does more than state a thickness. It connects the intended use to the current BIS reference, identifies the drawings and processing route, and specifies the compliance documents the buyer expects to receive.

This guide is for architects, consultants, glazing contractors, builders, fabricators and project buyers who need to turn a glass requirement into a clear, reviewable quotation request.

The current Indian reference for architectural toughened glass

For architectural, building and general-use safety glass in India, the current BIS reference is IS 2553 (Part 1):2018, Safety glass, Part 1: Architectural, Building and General Uses, Fourth Revision. BIS records the earlier 1990 edition as withdrawn. Verify the current standard record through the BIS standard details.

BIS records amendments to the 2018 standard, including Amendment No. 2, which included mandatory certification implementation from January 28, 2025, with updated provisions for certain curved and thinner glasses, and a 2026 Amendment No. 3. Check the applicable requirement against the current BIS record, product, thickness, form and use instead of copying an older schedule. Source: केन्द्रीय मुहर विभाग –2.

The relevant verification may involve thickness, dimensions, squareness, visual defects, impact resistance, fracture or fragmentation, flatness, overall bow, roller-wave distortion and edge lift. The applicable tests vary with the safety-glass type and nominal thickness.

What compliance documents should a buyer request?

Ask for the documentation needed to demonstrate that the quoted product and supply route meet the project requirement. The request should distinguish the processor’s certification status from the compliance documents required for the particular glass being purchased.

• Applicable BIS licence or certificate: request the relevant licence or certification reference where the project requires BIS-certified safety glass.
• Product-specific scope: check that the scope covers the glass category, form and nominal thickness being quoted, not merely a different product range.
• Test report or test evidence: request the applicable dimensional, visual, impact, fragmentation, flatness or other reports required for the specified product.
• Marking details: confirm how the required safety marking or permanent identification will appear on the pane and project documents.
• Inspection records: identify whether the quotation includes pre-dispatch inspection records, pane identification or packing documentation.
• Standard and amendment status: record the edition and amendments used for the quotation so an old reference is not carried into production.

Compare the document details with the actual quotation: product name, glass type, nominal thickness, dimensions, test scope and marking should describe the same supply. Do not describe a processor as BIS-certified unless that status has been specifically verified. A project specification can require compliance or documentation under the applicable BIS framework without making an unsupported claim about the processor.

Why the production sequence changes the specification

Toughened glass is fabricated in an order that makes some changes irreversible. The drawing is reviewed first, then the pane is cut, edged and prepared with holes, notches or cut-outs before tempering. The prepared glass is heated and rapidly cooled to create the toughened condition.

Once tempering is complete, toughened glass cannot normally be cut or drilled. A late hinge hole, changed handle position, reduced width, altered corner or new notch can require a replacement pane instead of a site correction.

Pinnaacle Glastech LLP describes a workflow based on drawing receipt, specification confirmation, cutting and edging, the required tempering, lamination or IGU route, inspection and dispatch. Not every pane passes through every stage, so the RFQ should identify the route each pane needs.

1. Issue the latest drawing revision and glass schedule.
2. Coordinate dimensions with the frame, setting blocks, hardware and sealant joints.
3. Confirm holes, notches, cut-outs, corner radii and edge treatments.
4. Confirm glass type, thickness, finish, marking and build-up.
5. Approve the final fabrication information before cutting and tempering.

Which decisions cannot be made from thickness alone?

Nominal thickness does not approve a glazing application. Pane size, span, support geometry, edge condition, loading, fixings, redundancy and required behaviour after breakage must be assessed together.

Can you walk on 12 mm toughened glass?

Not from thickness alone. A 12 mm pane may be part of a walk-on proposal, but support spacing, span, imposed loads, impact, edge protection, fixing details, load distribution, redundancy and post-breakage behaviour must be assessed.

Do not walk on or approve overhead or walk-on glazing from nominal thickness alone. Failure can expose people to a fall or falling glass.

What is the maximum panel size?

Maximum size depends on equipment, glass type and thickness, drawing, handling, transport, supports and whether the pane forms part of a laminated or insulating build-up. Send finished dimensions and quantity for enquiry-specific confirmation.

How much thicker should glass be for a frameless shower?

There is no responsible thickness increase based on the word “frameless” alone. Review panel dimensions, door or fixed-panel arrangement, hinges, clamps, supports, edge clearances and hardware. Provide the drawing, opening dimensions and hardware details before selecting the PinnTuff specification.

Which is safer for a staircase balustrade?

Neither option is automatically safer for every balustrade. Toughened glass offers a safer breakage pattern, while laminated glass is selected when retaining cracked fragments and maintaining a defined post-breakage condition matter. The choice depends on the complete system and project requirements.

Choose the processing route by the failure you need to manage

Toughened, laminated, insulating and heat-soaked glass solve different problems. Select the route according to normal-use performance and the behaviour required if the pane is damaged.

Glass option	Main purpose	Specification question
Toughened safety glass	Improved strength and safer breakage pattern	Are dimensions, edges, holes, notches and finishes finalized?
PVB laminated glass	Helps retain cracked-glass fragments	What post-breakage, security, acoustic or interlayer performance is required?
SGP laminated glass	Stiffer laminated build-up for demanding uses	Have loads, supports, fixings and build-up been assessed?
Insulating glass unit	Sealed cavity for thermal, solar-control or acoustic objectives	Which lites, cavity, coatings, spacer and sealants meet the target?
Heat-soaked toughened glass	Chamber screening intended to lower nickel-sulphide-related risk	Would delayed spontaneous breakage be difficult or high-consequence?

Where PinnTuff is a practical starting point

PinnTuff is Pinnaacle’s toughened safety glass for made-to-drawing architectural applications. Its listed uses include shower enclosures, doors and partitions, balustrade infill, shopfronts and façades, furniture and shelving. Holes, notches and cut-outs are completed before tempering, and panes are inspected before dispatch.

For standard architectural glazing that requires toughened safety glass without fragment retention, start the technical discussion with PinnTuff. Final thickness, dimensions and suitability still follow the complete application and approved drawing.

For a project schedule, include the toughened glass processing options, required holes and notches, and the applicable toughened safety glass standard. Coordinate these details with the hardware supplier before production.

When PinnSoak deserves evaluation

PinnSoak is toughened glass with heat-soak screening intended to lower the risk of nickel-sulphide-related spontaneous breakage. Evaluate it where a toughened pane is high, difficult to reach or costly to replace, including high-rise façades, overhead glazing, frameless glass, public buildings and structural glazing.

Heat soaking reduces a specific risk but does not eliminate breakage. It does not turn toughened glass into laminated glass, retain fragments, provide thermal insulation or establish structural capacity. Where fragment retention is required, the specification must address laminated glass or another suitable complete build-up.

For high-rise façades or overhead glazing, assess whether heat-soaked toughened glass is appropriate because of the consequences of delayed breakage. This remains separate from structural design, support details and post-breakage requirements.

Turn the specification into a quotation request

A project RFQ should give the processor enough information to price the intended glass, identify missing decisions and match the requested documents to the product being quoted.

• Project: name, location, building type and project stage.
• Application: doors, partitions, shower enclosures, façade, shopfront, balustrade, overhead or another use.
• Documents: latest drawings, glass schedule, hardware details and revision.
• Pane data: reference, finished width, height, quantity and orientation.
• Glass: type, thickness or build-up, colour, coating, pattern and interlayer.
• Processing: edges, holes, notches, cut-outs, radii, seaming, tempering, lamination, heat soaking or IGU assembly.
• Compliance: standard and amendment status, marking, applicable tests, BIS licence or certificate, product-specific scope, test reports and inspection documents.
• Logistics: delivery location, access restrictions, packing, timeline and site coordination.

Hypothetical RFQ example

Project: commercial entrance refurbishment in Rajasthan. Application: two glazed doors and four fixed side panels. Documents: door elevation D-04, hardware schedule H-02, revision C. Required information: finished dimensions, quantities, clear toughened safety glass, edge finish, hinge and handle holes, corner details, safety marking, applicable BIS documentation, delivery location and required site date.

This example intentionally leaves thickness and panel size open until the hardware, supports, dimensions and project requirements have been reviewed. If access is difficult or delayed breakage would have serious consequences, ask whether PinnSoak should be evaluated.

Questions to resolve before approving production

• Is the drawing revision current and matched to the schedule?
• Are width, height, quantity, orientation and tolerances correct?
• Is the selected glass form suitable for the application and supports?
• Are thickness or build-up, colour, coating, pattern and finish agreed?
• Are all edges, holes, notches, cut-outs and hardware interfaces shown?
• Are the standard, amendments, tests, marking and documents identified?
• Does the requested certificate or test report cover the actual product and thickness?
• Has standard toughened glass or heat-soaked glass been selected for evaluation?
• Are packing, delivery, access and installation timing clear?

Pinnaacle’s specification-first workflow confirms dimensions, build-up, edges and finishes before production, processes only the stages the order needs and inspects panes before dispatch.

Frequently asked questions about toughened glass RFQs

What should I ask for as proof of BIS-related compliance?

Request the applicable licence or certificate, product-specific scope, relevant test report, marking details and inspection documentation. Compare each document with the quoted glass type, nominal thickness and product category.

How thick should architectural toughened glass be?

Thickness depends on pane dimensions, supports, loads, application and applicable requirements. Select it from the project design, not a generic list.

When should I specify PinnSoak instead of standard PinnTuff?

Evaluate PinnSoak for high, difficult-to-access or high-consequence locations such as high-rise façades, overhead glazing, frameless glass, public buildings or structural glazing. It does not replace laminated glass or structural design.

Can toughened glass be cut or drilled after tempering?

No. Holes, notches, cut-outs, edge work and final dimensions must be completed or confirmed before tempering. A later change generally requires replacement.

Prepare the next project enquiry

A useful RFQ identifies the application, drawings, dimensions, quantity, proposed build-up, processing details, applicable requirements, delivery location and timeline. For projects in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, NCR or elsewhere in India, Pinnaacle Glastech LLP can review a drawing or schedule and prepare a project-based quotation.