Glass in the bathroom.
Is tempered glass required in bathroom windows.
Where to install windows with tempered glass is not just dictated by the height of the window.
Other areas in the bathroom that require use of tempered glass are enclosures including walls and doors surrounding tubs hot tubs showers spas whirlpools saunas and steam rooms.
Windows in general need to be made of tempered glass which is a bit different than years ago when only upper story windows needed to be tempered and first floor windows could be regular glass.
Anywhere within 5 of a hot tub swimming pool spa sauna shower or bathtub.
A window must be tempered glass if all of the following criteria are met.
Besides the glass in the door in the photo above both sidelights would require safety tempered glass and also the window at the stair landing if it is within 24 inches of the edge of the door.
An illustrated guide to the building mechanical and electrical codes by redwood kardon et al conditions requiring a window to have tempered glass include a window lower than 18 inches from the ground larger than 9 square feet in area with a top higher than 3.
Anything within 2 of a door on the hinge side.
For an overiew of all the locations where safety tempered glass is required in a home see our blog post where is safety tempered glass required for.
Tempered glass in bathrooms.
Tempered glass is made to reduce the chances of injury or death.
There are exceptions allowed for decorative glass in windows also along with the addition of a sturdy rail in front of the glass and outboard panes of insulating glass in a high location.
According to code check complete.
None of this should be interpreted to exclude using safety tempered glass for in a location that you decide warrants it.
And the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60.
However a bathroom is designated as a dangerous area and thus needs extra protection according to bathroom code requirements specifically a.
According to the 2012 international residential code it is required at these hazardous locations.
Tempered glass must be used for all glass adjacent to stairs ramps and landings if the glass is located within 36 inches of a walking surface.
The same standard as for windows is required.