2006 IRC Code Selected Glass Temperature Requirements

Glazing in nearby existing windows and doors (i.e. windows and doors installed when the house was built) may need to be replaced with tempered glass when building an addition, porch or deck onto an existing house. The code references listed below can be used as a guideline to determine when safety glazing is required. Please check with your residential plan reviewer or building inspector if you have a question about these requirements.

R308.4 Hazardous locations: The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing:

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

3. Glazing in storm doors.

5. Glazing in doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, and showers. Glazing in any part of a building wall enclosing these compartments where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60" measured vertically above any standing or walking surface.

6. Glazing, in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24" arc of the door in a closed position and whose bottom edge is less than 60" above the floor or walking surface.

7. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel, other than those locations described in items 5 and 6 above, that meets all the following conditions:

7.1. Exposed area of an individual pane is greater than 9 square feet.
7.2. Bottom edge is less than 18" above the floor.
7.3. Top edge greater than 36" above the floor.
7.4. One or more walking surfaces within 36" horizontally of the glazing.

9. Glazing in walls and fences enclosing indoor and outdoor swimming polls, hot tubs and 
spas where the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60" above the walking surface and 
within 60" horizontally of the water's edge. This shall apply to single glazing and all panes 
in multiple glazing.

10. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landing and ramps within 36" horizontally of a walking 
surface when the exposed surface ofthe glass is less than 60" above the plane of the 
adjacent walking surface.

11. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60" of the bottom tread of the stairway in any 
direction when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60" above the nose ofthe 
tread.

Exception: The following products, materials and uses are exempt from the above 
hazardous locations:

1. Openings in doors through which a 3" sphere is unable to pass.

2. Decorative glass in items 1, 6 or 7.

3. Glazing in section R308.4, item 6, when there is an intervening wall or other permanent 
barrier between the door and the glazing.

4. Glazing in section R308.4, item 6, in walls perpendicular to the plane of the door in a 
closed position, other than the wall toward which the door swings when opened, or where 
access through the door is to a closet or storage area 3' or less in depth. Glazing in 
these applications shall comply with section R308.4, item 7.

5. Glazing in section R308.4, items 7 and 10, when a protective bar is installed on the 
accessible side(s) of the glazing 36" above the floor. The bar shall be capable of 
withstanding a horizontal load of 50-pounds per linear foot without contacting the glass 
and be a minimum of 1 Y2" in height.

9.Safety glazing in R308.4, item 10 and 11 is not required where:

9.1. The side of the stairway, landing or ramp has a guardrail or handrail, including 
balusters or fill-in panels.

9.2. The plane of the glass is greater than 18" from the railing.

9.3. When a solid wall or panel extends from the plane of the adjacent walking surface to 
34" to 36" above the floor and the construction at the top of that wall or panel is capable 
of withstanding the same horizontal load as the protective bar.2006 IRC Code Selected Glass Temperature Requirements

Glazing in nearby existing windows and doors (i.e. windows and doors installed when the house was built) may need to be replaced with tempered glass when building an addition, porch or deck onto an existing house. The code references listed below can be used as a guideline to determine when safety glazing is required. Please check with your residential plan reviewer or building inspector if you have a question about these requirements.

R308.4 Hazardous locations: The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing:

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

3. Glazing in storm doors.

5. Glazing in doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, and showers. Glazing in any part of a building wall enclosing these compartments where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60" measured vertically above any standing or walking surface.

6. Glazing, in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24" arc of the door in a closed position and whose bottom edge is less than 60" above the floor or walking surface.

7. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel, other than those locations described in items 5 and 6 above, that meets all the following conditions: