Everyone loves having a glass door or a glass window because it looks exceptionally classy on a surface. But, at the same time, it is also pretty dangerous when it gets broken. When a standard glass breaks, it forms long and dangerous shards which can pose multiple risks. This is why it is suggested to go for tempered glasses which are also known as safety glasses, to ensure that there are no significant risks imposed even if the glass breaks down.
Safety glasses are made by heating the sheets of glass to a very high temperature. After the glass has become extremely hot, it is cooled quickly to make tempered glass. If a tempered glass breaks, it crumbles down to form rounded and small pieces which eliminate the probability of someone getting injured due to it.
They can also be repaired like normal building glass repair. There are some of the residential codes which should be followed to ensure that maximum safety prevails in residential areas.
Doors
The International Residential Code says that all the panels and glass inoperable, fixed, sliding, swinging and bifold doors should be constructed by using safety glasses and not the normal ones. No matter what is the size of the doors, safety glasses should be used.
If there is any glass object which comes under the 24-inch arc of the door, it should also be made out of safety glass, if the bottom edge of the object is not beyond 60 inches above the ground level. However, if there are any decorative glasses, it can be considered under the exception.
Windows
If the operable of the fixed window is more than 9 feet square, the top edge is beyond 36 inches above the level of the floor; the bottom edge lies below 18 inches from the level of the floor, then it should be made out of safety glasses. If the conditions are not met, it can be made out of the ordinary glass.
Stairs
According to the IRC, the rails of the stairs should be constructed from the safety glasses. The nonstructural infill panels and structural baluster panels should also be made out of the tempered glasses as well.
If an object is located within 36 inches of the walking area from the stairs, landings or the ramps, it should also be made of safety glasses. It should also be checked that the area of the glass which is exposed should not be more than 60 inches away from the walkway.
Wet Areas
The glass in the wet areas where there is a risk of falls or slips like the bathrooms should be made of tempered glass. Any area near the bathtub should not be made of the regular glass because there is a risk that it might get broken and injure you. If the bottom edge of any glass surface is below 60 inches above the walking or standing surface, it should avoid being made of ordinary glass.
These are some of the rules which are stated by the IRC, and it should be followed by people living in the residential areas as well.
