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When Do I Need Safety Glass?

Safety Glass

Safety Glazing…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Safety glazing is required by the International Residential Code in a number of locations and is intended to reduce the potential for injury in the event of accidental contact with the glazing.

The two most common types of safety glazing are tempered and laminated. Each pane of safety glazing is required to be permanently labeled. The label typically consists of an etching in the corner of the window indicating if the glass is tempered or laminated.

Safety glazing is required in the following locations:

1.               In side-hinged doors including storm doors.

2.               In fixed and sliding panels of sliding door assemblies and panels in sliding and bifold closet door assemblies.

3.              In doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, and showers whenever any glazing is within 60 inches measured vertically from any standing surface. This would include windows adjacent to bathtubs.

4.               Glazing within fixed or operable panels that are within 24 inches of either edge of a door in the closed position and the glazing is less than 60 inches above the adjacent floor.

5.               Glazing in a fixed or operable panel that meets all of the following conditions:

   The exposed area of an individual pane is more than 9 square feet.

   The bottom edge of the pane is less than 18 inches above the floor.

   The top edge of the pane is more than 36 inches above the floor.

6.               There is a walking surface within 36 inches horizontally of the glazing.

7.               Glazing in railings.

8.               Glazing in walls and fences enclosing indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas where the edge of the pool or spa within 60 inches above a walking surface.

9.               Glazing in walls enclosing stairway landings including areas within 60 inches of the top and bottom of the stairs whenever the glazing is less than 60 inches above the walking surface.

There are a number of exceptions to the rules listed above because of the design and variety of doors, glazing products, and locations. If you have questions regarding a specific location for safety glazing, contact your local Inspections Division

Glazing in ingress and egress doors except jalousies.

Glazing in storm doors.

Glazing in fixed or operable panels adjacent to a door where the nearest exposed edge of the glazing is within a 24-inch arc or either vertical edge of the door in a closed position and where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches above the walking surface.

Glazing in hot tubs, bathtubs, and whirlpools in any portion of a building wall enclosing these compartments, where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches above a standing surface and drain inlet.

Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel that meets all of the following conditions:

Exposed area of an individual pane greater than 9 square feet.

Exposed bottom edge less than 18 inches above the floor.

Exposed top edge greater than 36 inches above the floor.

One or more walking surfaces within 36 inches horizontally of the plane of the glazing.