Safety Glass/Glazing - A Quick Reference Guide

**Updated 2/9/2023 with IBC 2021 Code References and new images!
​
​About twice a year, I receive a question from an architect regarding safety glazing. Where is it required? Can I provide a different type of glass? Is this manufacturer/model acceptable? Without fail, I always end up revisiting the International Building Code (IBC) to review the requirements before answering the question. So in an effort to save me (and hopefully you) time in the future, I have compiled a quick reference guide for safety glazing. All references are to the 2021 IBC.

Safety Glass

​Practically, safety glazing refers to glass panels or other materials that are manufactured to reduce the likelihood of breaking and to minimize the safety risk if the material does break. From a code compliance standpoint, safety glazing refers to any glazing that meets the requirements of IBC 2406.
 
Glass panes are the most common safety glazing material, but the IBC also recognizes plastic, glass block, and louvered windows as potential options. The IBC does not provide any requirements for the process used to manufacturer safety glazing, it only provides performance requirements. Therefore, both tempered and laminated glass assemblies can qualify as safety glazing, if they meet the IBC 2406 requirements.

Tempered Glass vs. Safety Glass

One common misunderstanding is confusing tempered glass with safety glass. As explained below, tempered glass is one type of safety glazing, but not the only type. The building code requirements explained below do not require tempered glass (only safety glass), but tempered glass can be used when safety glass is required.

​Where is Safety Glass Required?

IBC 2406.4 identifies 7 locations as hazardous locations that require safety glazing:

Glazing in Doors (IBC 2406.4.1): ​

Glazing in any fixed or operable panels of swinging, sliding and bifold door is considered a hazardous location.

Exceptions include:

1. Glazed openings that are small enough to not allow 3-inch diameter sphere to pass through
2. Decorative glazing
3. Curved glazed panels in revolving doors
4. Glazing in doors of commercial refrigeration cabinets

​Glazing Adjacent to Doors (IBC 2406.4.2):

Glazing within 24” horizontally from a door where the bottom of the glazing is less than 60” above the floor is considered a hazardous location. Exceptions include:

1. Decorative glazing
2. Situations where a wall is located between the glazing and door
3. Where the door leads to a closet or storage room less than 3 feet in depth (in that case it must comply with the next section)
4. In Group R-2 occupancies or one and two family dwelling units, glazing on the latch side and perpendicular to the door in a closed position

Diagram of required safety glazing locations in doors and adjacent to doors.

Glazing in Windows (IBC 2406.4.3): ​

Glazing where a panel is greater than 9 square feet in area where the bottom is less than 18” from the floor, top is greater than 36” from the floor and within 36” of a walking surface is considered a hazardous location. Exceptions include:

1. Decorative glazing
2. Where a minimum 1.5-inch horizontal rail is provided between 34-38 inches above the walking surface to withstand at least 50 lbs/linear foot
3. The outer pane in multi-pane glazing where the bottom is more than 25 feet above any adjacent surface.

Diagram of required safety glazing locations in windows.

Glazing in Guards and Railings (IBC 2406.4.5):

​​Glazing in any guard, railing, balaster panel and in-fill panel is considered a hazardous location.

Glazing in Wet Areas (IBC 2406.4.5):

Glazing in areas containing hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, showers and swimming pools where the bottom is less than 60” from the walking surface. There is an exception for when the glazing is more than 60” horizontally from the water’s edge of a bathtub, hot tub, spa, whirlpool or swimming pool.

Glazing Adjacent to Stairways and Ramps (IBC 2406.4.6): ​

Glazing near stairways and ramps where the bottom is less than 60” above the walking surface is considered a hazardous location. Exceptions include:

1. Where a guard is provided and the glazing is more than 18” from the railing.
2. Where the glazing is more than 36” from the walking surface.​

Diagram of required safety glazing locations adjacent to stairways.

​Glazing Adjacent to the Bottom of a Stairway Landing (IBC 2406.4.7):

​Glazing near the landing at the bottom of a stairway where the bottom is less than 60” above the landing and within 60” horizontally at an angle of less than 180 degrees from the bottom tread nosing is considered a hazardous location. There is an exception for glazing protected by a guard where the glazing is at least 18” from the guard.

Diagram of required safety glazing locations adjacent to the bottom of stairways.

Glazing in Rated Assemblies (IBC 716.1.2.1):

Additionally, glazing located in fire-protection rated or fire-resistance rated glazing installed in fire door and window assemblies is required to be safety glazing.

​Design Options

​When safety glazing is required, the most common design option is manufactured glazing panels that are either laminated or tempered. Safety glazing panels are required to be tested to either CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 or ANSI Z97.1 and must be identified through a label or other means of designation. There is an exception that allow forms of safety glazing other than tempered glass to not be labelled when approved by the AHJ.
 
When tempered glass is used, the glazing must be identified by a manufacture’rs designation that is, “acid etched, sand blasted, ceramic fired, laser etched, embossed, or of a type that once applied, cannot be removed without being destroyed.”
 
In retrofit applications, it may not be desirable to replace existing glazing with new safety glazing panels. There are various film products available that can be applied to existing glazing that will satisfy the code requirements for safety glazing. Some examples include products by 3M, Llumar and Gordon Glass.
  
If using this option, it’s important to determine who applies the label to the glazing once the film is applied. If the installing contractor is applying a label after the film is installed, check with the local authority to verify that this will be acceptable. Since the IBC has fairly stringent requirements on safety for identification of the safety glazing, some AHJs require a permanent label that is etched in to glass.

Conclusion

There are 7 distinct hazardous areas where the IBC requires safety glazing. Technically, any product that meets the requirements of IBC 2406 can be considered safety glazing, but the most common products are tempered and laminated glass. Be sure to verify that the product you select has been tested in accordance with CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 or ANSI Z97.1