Safety Glass...

carpentershane

I am ordering windows for a customer, I have 14 in all, but I am a little unsure of myself on one point.

2 of the windows being replaced, a 8'0"x 6'0" and a 6'0"x 6'0" have are being replaced with 2 smaller windows each (basically 2- 4'0"x6'0" SH minus 2 1/4" a piece, and 2- 3'0"x6'0" SH minus 2 1/4" a piece. 3 2x4's for a mullion in between the windows.)

The windows are both within 18" of the floor so they will need to be tempered glass. Now for the kicker, does the whole window have to be tempered or just the active?? The 4'0"x6'0" SH will have a pane that is greater than 9 sq. ft so I would assume that these windows will need to be all tempered whereas the 3'0"x 6'0" once you account for the vinyl frame will only need the actives tempered. Am I right or wrong??

Patrick

Depends on where your located and the inspector.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

carpentershane

I am on the olympic Peninsula, WA state and because it is an r and r in the county a permit, and therefore an inspection is not necessary. I am asking this question purely based off the IRC.

Patrick

again its a gray area All glass within 18" of the floor must be tempered. Its up to an inspector to make that determination. Some window manufactures you will find you have to beg them to put two different kinds of glass in the window mainly because its so easy for them to screw it up

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

carpentershane

I am installing Milgard StyleLines, you can order w/ 2 types of glass, we'll see if they can keep it straight. I think I will call the county in the morning and see what they say.

glassman

For the piece of mind of safety the cost of tempered safety glass is cheap compared to a law suit or worse any serious injury to someone.

carpentershane

I talked to the county this morning. They said that all that was need was to have the actives tempered, the fixed pane is high enough that it was not an issue.

fenestrationman

Another note. Are any of the window within 24" of a door jamb. If so, they will need tempered.

carpentershane

Nope, no windows within 2' of the arch of the door. Only safety glazing concern is 2 low windows. This house was built in the 70's has 92" ceilings and some big windows in the living room.

Tru_Blue

Glad to hear the question is answered.

For what it's worth, the dimension you mentioned (within 18" of the floor) is not a universal building code. It can vary from state to state. In my neck of the woods it can be much less than 18" off the floor and still not be tempered. Anything real close to the floor I would normally still order as tempered, but it's not a requirement.

Bottom line: it's best to check local and state codes. That can easily be done online these days if one knows where to look.

72chevy4x4

can you order a window with one sash tempered the other not? I don't recall it being an option on order forms in the past w/ Simonton-maybe with other suppliers though. The cost difference would be small at that point-the weight savings on the other hand would be great!

Oberon

There is no weight difference between tempered and untempered glass.

Are you thinking of laminated possibly?

carpentershane

The windows I am installing are Milgards and one can order one sash with tempered and the other standard glass. I am ordering them w/ tempered actives (SH).

ssgtcarroll

At the minumal upcost of tempered just go tempered...