When selecting urban outdoor furniture, particularly tables, a critical safety question arises: Is the glass tempered? The answer is a resounding yes for any reputable manufacturer or specification intended for public or commercial use. Tempered glass, also known as toughened glass, is a safety requirement for these applications.
Standard annealed glass poses a significant hazard in outdoor settings. If broken, it shatters into large, jagged shards capable of causing severe injury. Tempered glass undergoes a specialized heat treatment process that increases its strength significantly—typically four to five times stronger than annealed glass. Most importantly, when it does break, it crumbles into small, granular, cube-like pieces that are far less likely to cause cuts or serious harm. This characteristic is why building codes and safety standards for public spaces, such as parks, plazas, restaurant patios, and hotel terraces, almost universally mandate the use of tempered glass in furniture.
You can often identify tempered glass by looking for a small, permanent etching in one corner, usually stating "Tempered" or "Safety Glass." This is the manufacturer's certification. Beyond safety, tempered glass also offers better resistance to thermal stress, which is crucial for furniture exposed to direct sunlight and varying temperatures. When procuring or inspecting urban outdoor tables, verifying the use of tempered glass is a non-negotiable step for ensuring public safety, durability, and compliance with regulations. Always consult product specifications or suppliers to confirm this essential feature.