Recently we were reviewing plans with a customer that is building a new home. We found two window designations that by code and hazardous location should have been listed as tempered glass and were not. Here are some of the most common hazardous locations where tempered glass should be installed for your families safety. This is not a complete list, if you would like more information including how to identify tempered glass by the manufacturers permanent mark, you can research on line at up.codes, Glazing chapter 24. Tempered glass installation requirements are determined by what is referred to as hazardous locations. Glazing is the title for glass contractors and refers to all glass, mirrors, and is defined as the act of furnishing or fitting with glass. Windows, mirrors, glass shower / bathtub enclosures, glass shelves, patio doors, and glass table tops are just a few of the applications that could potentially require or should be advised to be tempered glass.

Common Hazardous Locations

  1. Glazing in all fixed and operable panels of swinging, gliding, and bi fold doors.
  2. Glazing within 24″ arc or vertical edge or closed door.
  3. Glazing that is located in shower tub or any wet drain area where the bottom of the glazing is closer to the wet drain than 60″. An example of a wet drain is the drain in your shower or could also be a patio drain near a pool.
  4. Glazing that is less that 18″ above the finished floor could be labeled as a hazardous location. There are 4 different criteria’s that have to all be met in order for this to apply. Our team policy is to always install tempered glass in this situation.

By confirming that you have tempered glass in all of the code and regulation listed hazardous areas, you can reduce the risk of serious injury to you or your family. In this weekly news we are addressing tempered glass and plate glass. Plate glass breaks into jagged shards where tempered glass is strengthened and processed to crumble into small granular chunks. We are passionate about keeping your family safe and advise to always use the greatest caution around glass tempered or otherwise. There are older homes in our area that still have sliding glass doors with single pane plate glass installed in them. A few months ago we were contacted by a customer to replace his broken sliding glass door panel. During the measure the customer learned that they did not have tempered glass. The customer chose to replace both the broken panel and the un broken panel. This is an economical solution to replacing your sliding glass door.

Acme Glass LLC would be happy to answer any questions for you or complete a free home inspection of the glazing located in your home for you and your families safety.

Remember Glass Breaks

 

Be safe,

Sheila Wood