» Frequently Asked Questions (Please read the Disclaimer for the FAQ's)
Posted 02-28-2007
1.
Q: In what year did codes change that doors require safety
glazing?
A: The CPSC standard, 16 CFR 1201,
became effective July 6, 1977, applying on that date to all
doors except those requiring fire-rated glazing.
2. Q: Ohio Building Code Section 2406 requires safety glazing at
hazardous locations. This would include the storefront entrance
doors and the surrounding glazing. We are in the process of building
a new building with an entrance storefront system. Is heat
strengthened laminated glass considered safety glass? Can it be used
in the application described above? Do I need to provide fully
tempered laminated glass? Can you provide the definition of safety
glass that is widely accepted by a governing agency?
A: If the laminate construction passes
16 CFR 1201 Cat II it would be considered safety glazing irrelevant
of the glass type. Typically this is achieved with a minimum of
0.030 inch PVC interlayer. Laminated safety glazing can utilize
annealed, heat-strengthened and /or fully tempered glass (and other
glass types as well). The definition for Safety Glass can be found
in several places most predominantly the CPSC standard mentioned
above or ANSI Z97.1-2004.
3. Q: Can glass be used for flooring on the top through which you
can see down to the ground floor of a mall but without any support?
A: With special engineering
considerations, glass can be designed for use in flooring
applications but would require perimeter support. Additional issues
such as slip resistance and modesty considerations would also need
to be considered for the application you described.
Posted 02-15-2007
1. Q: The codes may have changed, but at one point in time, the
use of decorative glass in doors eliminated the tempered glass
requirement. Is this still true?
A: Glazing in doors is addressed by CPSC
16 CFR 1201 which contains a limited exception for certain
decorative glass. The exception is contained in Paragraph
1201(c)(4). For other applications, the IBC also contains an
exception for decorative glass (see Section 2406.3.1, IBC 2006).
(4) Carved glass (as defined in §1201.2(a)(36)), dalle glass (as
defined in §1201.2(a)(37)), or leaded glass (as defined in
§1201.2(a)(14)), which is used in doors and glazed panels (as
defined in §§1201.2(a)(7) and (a)(10)) if the glazing material meets
all of the following criteria:
(i) The coloring, texturing, or other design qualities or components of the glazing material cannot be removed without destroying the material; and
(ii) The primary purpose of such glazing is decorative or artistic; and
(iii) The glazing material is conspicuously colored or textured so as to be plainly visible and plainly identifiable as aesthetic or decorative rather than functional (other than for the purpose of admitting or controlling admission of light components or heat and cold); and
(iv) The glazing material, or assembly into which it is incorporated, is divided into segments by conspicuous and plainly visible lines.2. Q: I am an Architect in New York and the subject of glazed partitions has come up as we are using them in banks and other offices. They are full height frameless glass partitions and the question came up re: marking the glass to notify someone of the glazing to keep them from walking into the walls. I have checked and can't find ant requirements that state the mandatory use of marking on the glass (at any height) but I'm sure there's something that states that. Can you confirm this?
A: The model building codes used in the USA do not contain a size restriction on the glass that would require marking for visibility. The size limitations are in the qualification testing and are defined as limited and unlimited in CPSC 16 CFR 1201. If a panel is tested at 34" x 76" and passes it would be considered useable for any size. It is up to the "owner" if they would like to put a logo or otherwise identify the glass. This particular instance is one of the reasons the codes would require the glass to be safety glazing.3. Q: My project involves the reconstruction of large wood doors for a city hall. Each leaf has a large (5'x2') area of glazing that was originally etched in a decorative pattern. Can you etch tempered glass? Can laminated glass be used as safety glazing? It seems like the laminated glass would also be more secure.
A: Tempered glass should not be etched after tempering. Laminated glass in the proper configuration (min 0.015" PVB for CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat I/ANSI Z97.1-2004 Class B and 0.030" PVB for CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II/ ANSI Z97.1-2004 Class A) can be a safety glazing. Laminated glass has the ability to retain the glass if broken allowing the glass to stay in place until it can be replaced. A thicker configuration of interlayer may also provide added levels of security against opportunistic assault.4. Q: What is required for glazing to meet Category II of CPSC 16 CFR 1201 for a multipurpose gymnasium?
A: CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Cat II requires the 400 ft-lb impact from a 100 lb shot filled bag. The impact performance of the glazing shall qualify (pass) by way of small enough particles of glass for tempered lites and no penetration of a 3" solid sphere placed on the opening for laminated. Although there may be additional requirements on structural and glazing technique for a multipurpose gymnasium in the building code, they would not change the pass/fail requirements of the glass to pass the CPSC 16 CFR 1201 Safety Glazing Standard.5. Q: I am just wondering, if there are any codes that restrict the use of non-tempered glass within a tempered glass insulating unit. For example, if I have a front entry door that is full glass (32x79) and both the interior and exterior panes of glass are tempered are there any restrictions on the middle pane of glass in a triple insulating unit? Does the middle pane of glass need to be tempered? Is there any size restriction on a non-tempered piece of glass with a tempered unit?
A: The Code requirements apply to the glazing that is subject to human impact. Therefore, if the two exposed panes of glass meet the applicable requirements for safety glazing, the model building code and the federal safety standard, CPSC’s 16 CFR 1201, are unclear about whether the middle pane would also be required to be safety glazing. Neither the model code organization (the ICC) nor the CPSC has interpreted its safety glazing provisions in the context of a triple glazed unit. Model codes are not going to be material specific; but rather they will provide the performance requirements for the glass. As to whether a non-tempered piece of glass may be combined with a tempered unit, that would be up to the manufacturer or fabricator provided the applicable Code requirements are met.
Posted prior to 2007
Q: Are there model
code requirements on glass in escalator handrails?
A: Section 2407 of Chapter 24 of the International Building
Code states that glass in railings should be either single fully
tempered glass, laminated fully tempered glass or laminated
heat-strengthened glass. The minimum nominal thickness shall be
1/4” and the glass is to comply with Category II requirements of
the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard (CPSC) 16 CFR
1201.
Q: When glass forms an
enclosure for a whirlpool in a single family dwelling, what are
the requirements?
A: The only criteria within the International Building Code
(IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) for such
glazing are within the definition of a hazardous area. See R308.4
(9) for the specific language.
Q. Do you know if
there a section in the UBC that deals with the proper mounting
application of frameless mirrors? Are there any code requirements?
A. The UBC does not specifically address the mounting of
mirrors. However, other model codes, including the International
Building Code, do contain language for mirrors.
Mirrors, that are mounted in positions subject to human impact (i.e., hazardous locations as defined in the UBC) must be safety glazing. The International Building Code (and other model codes of the US) contain an exception for "mirrors and other glass panels mounted or hung on a surface that provides continuous backing support". The UBC does not contain this language. However, safety glazing is used to minimize the possibility of cutting or piercing injuries when humans impact glass.. If a backing exists that prevents penetration of the glass panel then the requirement for safety glazing might be eliminated with the agreement of the local code official.
Q. What is the rationale for safety glazing in the vicinity of swimming pools?
A. Floor surfaces around swimming pools may be wet and slippery. Furthermore, children and young adults are known to engage in "horseplay" around pools. The combination of floors that may be wet and slippery and people walking or running in the vicinity of glazed panels makes the probability of human impact with the glass higher than normal. Accordingly, many building codes prescribe safety glazing for all glazing within 60 inches of the floor and within 60 inches horizontally of the water's edge.
Q. What are the glazing requirements for elevator enclosures?
A. According to Section 100, Construction of Hoistways and Hoistway Enclosures of ANSI A17, laminated glass conforming to the requirements of ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR Part 1201 is required. Each lite of glass must be labeled according to the requirements of ANSI Z97.1 and shall be visible after installation.
Q. What is the deflection requirement of interior glazed areas installed adjacent to a walking surface?
A. The differential deflection of two adjacent unsupported edges, such as the type of glass installed in shopping mall storefronts, shall not exceed the thickness of the panels when a force of 50 pounds per linear foot is applied horizontally to one panel at any point up to 42 inches above the walking surface. This requirement was developed to address the concerns of building inspectors who were concerned with possible "finger pinching."
Q. Do overhead garage doors require safety glazing?
A. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standard has jurisdiction over safety glazing in doors. Its federal standard, CPSC 16 CFR 1201, Part II, defines "door" as, "an assembly installed in an interior or exterior wall used by consumers to produce or close off an opening for use as a means of human passage." According to the CPSC interpretation published in the Federal Register, January 6, 1977, its standard does not apply to garage doors designed for vehicular passage, but glazing material in doors of garages designed solely for human passage is included within the scope of Part 1201 since such doors are associated with the same types of injury as other doors designed for human passage and, therefore, must satisfy the standard" safety criteria.
Q. A hotel swimming pool enclosure uses glazed panels in a wall enclosing the pool. The wall is located 20 ft. from the edge of the pool. Since the model codes only require safety glazing within 5 ft. of the pool's edge, is the glazing in the wall enclosing the pool required to be safety glazing?
A. The glass panels in the wall enclosing the swimming pool, as described, would be subject to the safety glazing requirements for glazed panels, if located within 36 inches of a walking surface or if adjacent to a door. If the pool area contains a hot tub or spa, the criteria for safety glazing in enclosures for such potentially "wet" locations would also be applicable.
Q. Are there any provisions for glass used in flooring applications in the U.S. model codes?
A. Glass floors are addressed in Chapter 24 of the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC). However, the UBC provisions are not considered current with industry practice. At the encouragement of the Structural Committee of the International Building Code, GICC worked with several building officials to prepare a section on glass floors for the draft International Building Code (IBC). The proposed section in the IBC requires laminated glass having a minimum of two plies. The glass must be capable of supporting the total design load, with any one ply broken. The IBC verbiage has been recommended for incorporation in the 1999 National Building and the Standard Building Codes.
Q. What are the test requirements for a 20 minute fire rated door?
A. According to the definitions found in Chapter 7 of the proposed International Building Code, a fire door is the door component of a fire door assembly. A fire door assembly is any combination of a fire door, frame, hardware, and other accessories that together provide a specific degree of fire protection to the opening. Approved fire doors in 60-minute fire rated corridors, including its glazing, must be tested in accordance to NFPA 252. The hose stream test is not required.
Q. According to the Uniform Building Code, is a hose stream test required for fire rated glazings?
A. The hose stream test is required for all fire rated glazing tested pursuant to UBC Standard 7-4. However, UBC Standard 7-2, Part II exempts 20 minute fire rated smoke and draft control doors from the hose stream test. Accordingly, glazing in a 20 minute door would not be subject to the hose stream. Requirements for a sidelight, adjacent to a 20 minute door, are subject to the interpretation of the local code official. If glazed sidelights are treated as fire windows then the sidelights are subject to the hose stream test. If the sidelights are treated as a part of the 20 minute door assembly, then the hose stream is not required. The Standard and International Building Codes both require sidelights adjacent to 20 minute doors to meet the criteria for fire windows, i.e. 45 minute fire endurance test, plus application of the hose stream.
Q. Is there a minimum thickness of interlayer that is required for laminated glass installed in skylights?
A. The model codes require laminated glass with a minimum .030 inch interlayer, except in residential applications where laminated lites less than 16 square feet located 12 feet or less above a walking surface are permitted to have a .015 inch interlayer. Since this exception is relatively new, it is wise to check with the state or local jurisdiction to see if this model code provision has been adopted.
Q. Do all heat-treated lites require a permanent label?
A. According to the model codes, tempered glass must be permanently identified by the manufacturer. This identification may be acid etched, sand blasted, ceramic fired, or embossed. Tempered spandrel may be provided with a removable paper marking. There are no special provisions for labeling heat strengthened glass.
Q. Is there a requirement for
glass installed in a wall of a bathroom to be safety glazing?
A. We infer from the question that the glass is located in the wall of the building and not a part of the actual bath enclosure. If the glass is not in the actual bath enclosure, it may not have to be safety glazing. The glass it would have to comply with safety glazing requirements as a glazed panel when the pane is greater than 9 square feet, the bottom edge is less than 18 inches and the top edge is greater than 36 inches above the floor, and there is a walking surfaces within 36 inches horizontally of the plane of the glazing. Additionally, if the panes are located within 24 inches of the bathroom door safety glazing would be required.
