Translucent roof or wall systems are composed of single- or multi-layer flat or curved plastic sheets generally supported by aluminium support profiles and their fasteners. They are used both for roofs and for walls as components of the building envelope.

Regulatory framework

There is a harmonised standard – EN 14963 – for continuous rooflights. Some plastic sheets used for translucent roof and wall systems are also covered by harmonised standards (e.g. EN 16153 – Multiwall polycarbonate (PC) sheets, EN 16240 – Solid polycarbonate (PC) sheets or EN 1013 – Single-skin profiled plastic sheets).

DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for translucent roof or wall systems and their components when they are not otherwise technically regulated (e.g. through harmonised standards, Technical Building Rules, generally recognised technical rules or existing approvals).

European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for translucent roof or wall kits that are not covered by EN 14963.

Note: There are no conclusive technical rules for the design and execution of construction techniques comprising translucent roof or wall systems. DIBt grants general construction technique permits (aBG) for these applications. National technical approvals and general construction technique permits are usually granted together in a single decision ('combined decision').

Please also note the relevant provisions of the federal states following MVV TB, Section A 1.2 (point 4).

Note: The lists below may still include approvals for a construction technique, also called 'application approvals'. As a result of the revision of the Model Building Code (MBO) in 2016 followed by the revision of the applicable Building Codes of the federal states (LBO), these are successively being replaced by construction technique permits or will expire.