Construction Codes for Tempered Glass Close to Stairs
Almost 2,000 people are killed each year and thousands more are injured in the United States because of falls on stairs, according to the National Safety Council. While staircase present plenty of threats by themselves, glass installed near the staircase can increase injury risk even more. Many residential building codes require the use of tempered or other security glass near staircase to decrease the risk of injury within an stair-related trip or fall.
Tempered Glass Overview
Manufacturers use more heat and quick heat to make tempered glass. While standard glass breaks into large, pointy shards, tempered glass crumbles into small pieces, which are relatively harmless once the glass is broken. Residential building codes at the U.S. generally use the term “safety glazing” to refer to glass that is designed to split safely without forming large shards. Although tempered glass represents the most common kind of security glazing, other kinds of security glazing that could fill code in certain areas consist of laminated glass and certain kinds of vinyl glazing.
Handrails
All glazing in stair railings of any kind must be constructed from tempered glass or some other sort of security glazing. This includes both structural pieces and nonstructural infill panels.
Doors
If you have a door situated near the staircase, plan to use tempered glass for any glass panels or lites integrated within or near the door. All glass used in doors anywhere in the home must be constructed from safety glass. The sole exception is ornamental glazing or some other window small enough that a 3-inch sphere is not able to pass through.
Glass Near the Stairs
According to the International Residential Code, all glass situated within 36 inches horizontally of any walking surface where the exposed glass surface is less than 60 inches above the walking surface must be constructed from security glazing. Including stairs, landings and other walking surfaces on or across your staircase. The IRC also needs safety glazing in all glass adjacent to stairways within 60 inches horizontally of the bottom tread of the stair where the exposed glass surface is less than 60 inches above the nose of the stair. This could contain windows around or in the stairwell together with different kinds of glazing. The code makes an exception for any glazing that satisfies these stipulations but is protected by a horizontal rail on the accessible side of this glass. The rail must be positioned between 34 and 38 inches above the walking surface and capable of withstanding 50 lbs of force per foot without touching the glass.
Identification
The California Building Code requires each piece of tempered glass used in hazardous locations in the home bear certain distinguishing marks. It has to contain the title of the manufacturer or installer in addition to info on the safety glazing standard for which it complies. This mark must be permanently inscribed, etched or otherwise implemented so it can’t be removed with no glass being destroyed.
Code vs. Law
The International Residential Code isn’t a law in itself. Instead, it serves as a model for the majority of building codes throughout the U.S., including the California Building Code, which serves as the basis for local codes throughout the state. Local building codes in your city or county may be stricter than the IRC or have different requirements when it comes to tempered glass near the staircase. Always double check your regional code to ensure your home complies with local safety laws and guidelines. Bear in mind that where tempered glass isn’t required by code, then you still can use it for glazing to help enhance safety near the staircase.
