Structural sealant glazing

With structural sealant glazing, glass panes are bonded to frame profiles at the factory (primarily using silicone adhesive and with a linear adhesive bead). This prefabricated structural sealant glazing is then mechanically fixed to the substructure at the site.

This type of glazing is primarily installed in facades. Overhead installation is, also, possible. In addition, prefabricated structural sealant glazing is used for internal partitions. Here, too, the glazing is mechanically fixed to the subframe. For internal partitions, this glazing is often installed in combination with fire-resistant glazing. Prefabricated structural sealant glazing is also used in photovoltaics, where the glass is not held mechanically via the frame, but rather bonded to the profile, e.g. for solar modules with back rail bonding.

Regulatory framework

For glass panes bonded to a frame profile in the factory, a regulatory verification of fitness for use (e.g. approval) is required. DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for these products. European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for them. Regulatory verifications of fitness for use can also be required for construction products for fixing the bonded glass panes to the subframe if they are not otherwise regulated. The assembly of construction products (construction technique) is regulated via a general construction technique permit (aBG) or via specifications in the Administrative Provisions – Technical Building Rules (VV TB) of the federal states; cf.,  the common model MVV TB, in particular Section A 1.2.7.

EAD 220062-00-0401 Rooflight with bonded or mechanically fastened cover glass (16 pages ) Version: June 2017; Decision (EU) 2020/962; EOTA EAD 090035-00-0404 Insulated glass unit with structural sealant punctually anchored (22 pages ) Version: April 2017; OJEU 2017/C 379/07; EOTA ETAG 002/1 Guideline for European Technical Approval for Structural Sealant Glazing Kits (SSGK) Part 1: Supported and Unsupported Systems (97 pages ) Edition November 1999; 1st amendment: October 2001; 2nd amendment: November 2005; 3rd amendment: May 2012 ETAG 002/2 Leitlinie für die europäische technische Zulassung für geklebte Glaskonstruktionen Teil 2: Beschichtete Aluminium-Systeme (15 pages ) Ausgabe Januar 2002 ETAG 002/3 Leitlinie für die europäische technische Zulassung für geklebte Glaskonstruktionen Teil 3: Systeme mit thermisch getrennten Profilen (29 pages ) Fassung März 2002

National procedure

A national technical approval (abZ) and/or oder general construction technique permit (aBG) is granted upon application (see Model Building Code (MBO), Sections 16a(2) and18(2) and (4)). This also applies to amendments and supplements to, or renewals of existing approvals and/or construction technique permits.

No formal requirements apply. The following information is needed: name and address of the applicant, description of the product and/or construction technique and its field of use or application, type of decision required (new decision, amendment or supplement to, or renewal of, an existing decision).

Please feel free to use the template below.

European Technical Assessment (ETA)

To start the ETA procedure, please submit the form below. We will then check if the prerequisites for issuing an ETA are met, i.e., in particular, if the product is not fully covered by an existing harmonised standard. If the prerequisites are met, we will check whether a European Assessment Document (EAD) covering the requested assessment scope already exists or still needs to be developed. If an EAD needs to be developed or amended, a complete technical file needs to be established before the procedure can begin.