Glass has also recently been a subject of intense and heated deliberation with regards to its safety characteristics, particularly related to fire safety. Instances of glass falling off facades (some with fatal consequences) and the fire-authorities blaming full glass facades for hampering their rescue operations have filled several newspaper pages in the last few years. In almost all fire incidents in high-profile buildings in Indian metropolises, glass has been victimised and portrayed as the biggest hurdle to effective and quick rescue operations. Statements such as “building lacks ventilation”, “heat-trap” and “couldn’t penetrate the glass wall to rescue people” cemented the perception that glass facades and fire-safety are not complementary for a safe architecture.Glass, like any building material is not perfect. Arguments against its energy-efficiency performance, especially in hot climates, does have its fair share of merit. Concerns over its post breakage behaviour cannot be disregarded. Apprehensions shown by fire-authorities in tackling fire in glass-draped buildings should also be carefully analysed. In spite of the above concerns, glass has to its credit a whole list of features that makes it indispensable as a building material. Recent advances in tints and coatings have now ensured that glass has exceptional performance not only aesthetically but also functionally. It is no surprise then that the adoption and use of glass in facades and architecture is on the rise. Architects, developers and users love the product, simply because no other material can impart transparency, vibrancy and vitality to a building facade the way glass does. Combine this with its unparalleled durability and it being practically maintenance-free throughout its lifetime and glass will remain the topmost material choice when designing a facade, and arguably rightly so.