What is the code for a window in a bathroom?

When glass breaks, it often forms large, dangerous shards that can pose significant safety risks. By heating glass at a high temperature then rapidly cooling it, manufacturers create tempered safety glass, which crumbles into small pieces when broken. Residential building codes specify where this safety glass must be installed in the home in order to reduce the risk of injury or death.

Doors

Per the International Residential Code, all glass or panels in fixed, operable, swinging, sliding and bifold doors must be constructed from safety glass, regardless of size. In addition, any glass located adjacent to a door within a 24-inch arc of the door must be constructed from safety glass if the bottom edge of the glass is less than 60 inches above the walking surface. The only exception to these rules is decorative glass. and any glass opening too small for a 3-inch ball to pass through. While these IRC rules apply to all residences in the United States, San Francisco law also requires all glass located within 40 inches of an exterior or interior dwelling unit door be tempered or burglar-resistant.

Windows

Fixed or operable windows must include safety glass if they measure larger than 9 feet square, the bottom edge is less than 18 inches above the floor, the top edge is more than 36 inches above the floor, and there is a walking surface within 36 inches of the glass. Tempered glass is not required unless all four of these conditions are met.

Stairs

The IRC states that stair rails must be made from safety glass, as well as structural baluster panels and nonstructural infill panels. 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. and the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches above any walkway. Finally, all glazing on surfaces adjacent to stairs must be made from safety glass when the surface sits within 60 inches of the bottom tread, and the glass is less than 60 inches above the nose of the bottom tread.

Wet Areas

The higher risk of slips and falls in wet areas means most glass located in bathrooms or near a hot tub or sauna must be constructed from safety glass. All glass in the bathroom or around a hot tub or sauna must consist of safety glass if the bottom edge is less than 60 inches above a standing or walking surface, such as the shower floor. In outdoor areas around a hot tub, all glazing must be constructed from safety glass if the bottom of the glass is less than 60 inches above the walkway and also within 60 inches of the edge of the water, according to the IRC.

What are the bathroom window tempered glass code and requirements? Do bathroom window glass need to be tempered? What is the essence of installing a bathroom window tempered glass? What difference does it make? We will be discussing these and more in this article, so ensure you read it till the end.

Tempered glass is that type of glass that is stronger than the regular glass we all know. It is a safety glass cooled quickly during its making process to ensure it is strong and doesn’t break easily.

We all know what is tempered glass as we all see that in most mobile phones, and the funny thing is that anytime we here of tempered glass, the first thing that comes into our mind is, it is that type of glass that is strong enough not to shards when it breaks.

Table of Contents

• Tempered Glass in Bathroom Window Code and Requirements
  • Window Above Bathtub Code
• Reasons why you Must Install a Bathroom Window with Tempered Glass
• Conclusion

Tempered Glass in Bathroom Window Code and Requirements

Whether you call it bathroom window tempered glass code and requirement or call it tempered glass in bathroom window code and requirement, the question remains; what is it all about? The code and requirements are:

You must install a bathroom window that is made of tempered glass if your bathroom meets the standards below developed by the National Glass Association.

To use tempered glass on your bathroom window, you have to:

• Make sure the glass is at least 36 inches from where people walk.
• Make sure the top of your window is not up to 36 inches from the floor.
• Make sure the glass is less than 18 inches above the floor.
• Make sure that the size of your bathroom window exceeds nine square feet.
• Ensure that your bathroom window glass is within 60 inches of the floor, over a shower or a bathtub.

Remember that tempered glass is required only when you must have followed the code listed above. If your bathroom window does not meet the bathroom window tempered glass code and requirements listed above, you do not need to use tempered glass on the window.

Window Above Bathtub Code

If your bathroom window glass is within 60 inches of the floor over a shower or a bathtub, the window must be tempered to prevent you from slipping, hitting, and injuring yourself from the window glass.

Reasons why you Must Install a Bathroom Window with Tempered Glass

Some asked, what are the essence of installing a bathroom window tempered glass? What difference does it make? Trust me; it makes a whole lot of difference to install tempered bathroom window than regular glass. It is for security purposes and not one of your money or your life (YMYL) thing.

First of all, tempered glass shatters into pallets when they break, while regular glass shatters into shards when they break. Let’s take these two things as an example. Have you seen mobile phones that come with tempered glass whose glass is broken? Do you see how it looks? Now, have you ever dropped an ordinary glass on the floor? Did you see how it shattered on the ground?

Having such glass in your bathroom is very risky because if there is any crack on the window, it will shatter to the floor, and there is a high chance that you might not have noticed until maybe when you get injured from some particles of the glass.

However, if you use tempered glass on your bathroom window, even though anything happens and the window breaks, the glass will not shatter on the ground like normal glass. Since the glass is much stronger, there is a high chance that it might not even break. That is why, by code, you are mandated to install a bathroom window made of tempered glass.

Be that as it may, it is also convenient for those that live closer to the airport. The vibration coming from the plane when they take off or land or pass through your house is likely to break your window glass one day if care is not taken. However, using a tempered glass window will prevent it from happening.

The same option goes to people who live in areas that are always having one natural disaster or the other such as earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. These types of events can cause your bathroom window to break. Peradventure your bathroom window is not tempered, then sorry will be yours. Please ensure installing a bathroom window with tempered glass if your bathroom meets any of the code explained earlier.

What if you are taking your bath and suddenly you slip, and while trying to hold yourself, your hand hit the window without tempered glass? It will end in tears. It will not only cut your flesh; there is a probability that it might cut your bones too. But with a tempered glass window, the glass will not injure you that much because it will break and shatters into tiny pieces.

Conclusion

The reason for this code is to ensure your safety while using your bathroom. It will be nobody’s good if you injure yourself while bathing only because you did not follow the code and requirements developed for your safety.

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