safety glazing identification

[BSSTG]

Greetings to all,

In doing a final walk thru this a.m. for a credit union I inquired about the glazing in a number of office doors. Sure nuff no id to indicate safety glazing. All other glazing in the building is properly etched. In reading 2406.3 in the 09 IBC it states that all safety glazing shall be etched etc., or otherwise exception #1 can be applied. It reads thusly.

Exceptions:

1. For other than tempered glass, manufacturer’s designations

are not required, provided the building official

approves the use of a certificate, affidavit or other evidence

confirming compliance with this code.

What would be acceptable in your jurisdiction? Previously when I've run into this (rarely) the glass would be changed appropriately.

thanks to all

BS

 

[mjesse]

Check out this thread

http://www.inspectpa.com/forum/showthread.php?8195-Tempered-glass-labels&highlight=SAFETY+GLASS

 

[Sifu]

For the record I now have 4 different instances of windows with stickers that have no "bugs" (got one right now). So far in all cases the windows were not tempered. Twice I believe was an outright attempt to cheat. The other two may just be cases of factory or distributor misidentification. In my research I could find nobody willing to provide a label with the required information but I am only dealing with residential window suppliers. I would think a reputable commercial glass/window & door manufacturer could provide one if the situation called for it. Where I am nobody has ever enforced and/or dug deep enough on this issue and I think some got got with their windows down.

 

[globe trekker]

Sifu,

Sooooo, what's your next step in seeking compliance?

 

[Sifu]

I require tempered glass per the code. I leave it up to them to show me they have complied and they must show that compliance per the code. I fought this battle the first time it occured and found nobody could or would comply by providing the approved label (sticker). Since then everyone has been installing new panels with etched markings. What I found out from the glass mfr's I spoke with at that time and from my past experience is that it is highly unusual for one of the big glass companies to produce tempered windows without the bugs. What I see most often is a big red label on the glass that sinply says "tempered glass". My thinking is that this is largely for the installers, who may not take the time to look for the bugs. That way they might get the tempered windows in the correct locations.......Sometimes it even seems to work. BTW, the key for me in my situation is to make sure I note it at the framing inspection. That way when the whining starts at final I can point out that they have had ample time to order the panels.........that usually doesn't work.

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Unlike windows it should be very unlikely to purchase "new" doors without safety glazing since its adoption in 1977. Laminated glass can be cut into sections and the label may not have been on the piece installed. There are the other two exceptions listed for glazing under 3 inch in width or height and for decorative glazing.

I would ask if the manufacturer has doors without safety glazing and how it can be otherwise shown or proven.

Francis