Section 1: Safety Glazing & Building Codes (IBC/IRC)
1. Under the International Building Code (IBC), what is the definition of "safety
glazing"?
A) Any glass that is impact-resistant and meets specific testing standards
B) Glass that is tinted for UV protection
C) Glass that is insulated for energy efficiency
D) Glass that is laminated for sound reduction
Answer: A) Any glass that is impact-resistant and meets specific testing standards
Explanation: Safety glazing is defined as glazing that meets the requirements of CPSC 16
CFR 1201 (Consumer Product Safety Commission) or ANSI Z97.1. It is designed to resist
impact and break in a manner that reduces the risk of cutting or piercing injuries.
Common safety glazing types include tempered glass and laminated glass.
,2. According to the IRC, which of the following locations requires safety glazing?
A) Glazing in a fixed panel adjacent to a door
B) Glazing in a skylight
C) Glazing in a shower enclosure
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: The International Residential Code (IRC) Section R308.4 requires safety
glazing in hazardous locations including: glazing in doors, glazing adjacent to doors
(within 24 inches of the door edge), glazing in bathtub and shower enclosures, glazing in
stairways, glazing near walking surfaces, and skylights.
3. Under IBC Section 2406, what is the minimum distance from a door where
glazing must be safety glazed?
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 36 inches
D) 48 inches
Answer: B) 24 inches
Explanation: IBC 2406.4 and IRC R308.4 require that glazing within 24 inches of a door
edge (measured horizontally) and within 60 inches of the walking surface (measured
vertically) must be safety glazed. This applies to glazing on both sides of the door.
4. What is the minimum size of a glazed panel that triggers safety glazing
requirements in a hazardous location?
A) Any size, regardless of dimensions
B) Only panels larger than 9 square feet
C) Only panels larger than 12 square feet
D) Panels larger than 9 square feet or with a dimension exceeding 12 inches
Answer: A) Any size, regardless of dimensions
Explanation: Safety glazing requirements apply to all glazing in hazardous locations
,regardless of size. The IBC/IRC do not provide a size exemption. Even small panels (e.g.,
sidelites, transoms) within hazardous areas must be safety glazed.
5. According to the IRC, what is the minimum height above the walking surface
where glazing does not require safety glazing?
A) 24 inches
B) 36 inches
C) 60 inches
D) 72 inches
Answer: C) 60 inches
Explanation: IRC R308.4 requires safety glazing for glazing that is within 60 inches (5 feet)
vertically of the walking surface in hazardous locations. Glazing located above 60 inches
from the walking surface is generally exempt from safety glazing requirements, though
other codes may apply.
6. What is the difference between tempered glass and laminated glass?
A) Tempered glass is heat-treated for strength; laminated glass has a plastic interlayer
B) Tempered glass is impact-resistant; laminated glass is not
C) Tempered glass is used for skylights; laminated glass is used for doors
D) There is no difference
Answer: A) Tempered glass is heat-treated for strength; laminated glass has a
plastic interlayer
Explanation: Tempered glass (toughened glass) is produced by heating and rapid cooling,
creating compressive stresses that give it increased strength. When broken, it shatters into
small, relatively harmless cubes. Laminated glass consists of two or more glass layers
bonded with a plastic interlayer (typically PVB or SentryGlas). When broken, the glass
adheres to the interlayer, reducing the risk of falling glass.
, 7. Under IBC, what is the required test standard for safety glazing?
A) ASTM E84
B) CPSC 16 CFR 1201 or ANSI Z97.1
C) ASTM C1036
D) NFPA 70
Answer: B) CPSC 16 CFR 1201 or ANSI Z97.1
Explanation: The IBC and IRC require that safety glazing comply with either CPSC 16 CFR
1201 (Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standard for architectural glazing) or
ANSI Z97.1 (American National Standard for Safety Glazing Materials). Both standards
specify impact testing requirements.
8. According to the IRC, where is safety glazing required in a stairway?
A) Glazing adjacent to stairway landings
B) Glazing within 60 inches of the stair treads
C) Glazing within 36 inches of the stair treads
D) All glazing in stairways
Answer: B) Glazing within 60 inches of the stair treads
Explanation: IRC R308.4 requires safety glazing for glazing adjacent to stairways when the
glazing is within 60 inches (measured vertically) of any stair tread and within 36 inches
horizontally of the stairway. This protects against impact from persons using the stairs.
9. What type of glass is commonly used for shower enclosures?
A) Annealed glass
B) Tempered glass
C) Laminated glass
D) Wired glass
Answer: B) Tempered glass
Explanation: Tempered glass is the standard for shower enclosures because it is safety
glazing that shatters into small cubes if broken, reducing the risk of serious injury. It also
has high thermal resistance to withstand temperature changes from hot water.
1. Under the International Building Code (IBC), what is the definition of "safety
glazing"?
A) Any glass that is impact-resistant and meets specific testing standards
B) Glass that is tinted for UV protection
C) Glass that is insulated for energy efficiency
D) Glass that is laminated for sound reduction
Answer: A) Any glass that is impact-resistant and meets specific testing standards
Explanation: Safety glazing is defined as glazing that meets the requirements of CPSC 16
CFR 1201 (Consumer Product Safety Commission) or ANSI Z97.1. It is designed to resist
impact and break in a manner that reduces the risk of cutting or piercing injuries.
Common safety glazing types include tempered glass and laminated glass.
,2. According to the IRC, which of the following locations requires safety glazing?
A) Glazing in a fixed panel adjacent to a door
B) Glazing in a skylight
C) Glazing in a shower enclosure
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: The International Residential Code (IRC) Section R308.4 requires safety
glazing in hazardous locations including: glazing in doors, glazing adjacent to doors
(within 24 inches of the door edge), glazing in bathtub and shower enclosures, glazing in
stairways, glazing near walking surfaces, and skylights.
3. Under IBC Section 2406, what is the minimum distance from a door where
glazing must be safety glazed?
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 36 inches
D) 48 inches
Answer: B) 24 inches
Explanation: IBC 2406.4 and IRC R308.4 require that glazing within 24 inches of a door
edge (measured horizontally) and within 60 inches of the walking surface (measured
vertically) must be safety glazed. This applies to glazing on both sides of the door.
4. What is the minimum size of a glazed panel that triggers safety glazing
requirements in a hazardous location?
A) Any size, regardless of dimensions
B) Only panels larger than 9 square feet
C) Only panels larger than 12 square feet
D) Panels larger than 9 square feet or with a dimension exceeding 12 inches
Answer: A) Any size, regardless of dimensions
Explanation: Safety glazing requirements apply to all glazing in hazardous locations
,regardless of size. The IBC/IRC do not provide a size exemption. Even small panels (e.g.,
sidelites, transoms) within hazardous areas must be safety glazed.
5. According to the IRC, what is the minimum height above the walking surface
where glazing does not require safety glazing?
A) 24 inches
B) 36 inches
C) 60 inches
D) 72 inches
Answer: C) 60 inches
Explanation: IRC R308.4 requires safety glazing for glazing that is within 60 inches (5 feet)
vertically of the walking surface in hazardous locations. Glazing located above 60 inches
from the walking surface is generally exempt from safety glazing requirements, though
other codes may apply.
6. What is the difference between tempered glass and laminated glass?
A) Tempered glass is heat-treated for strength; laminated glass has a plastic interlayer
B) Tempered glass is impact-resistant; laminated glass is not
C) Tempered glass is used for skylights; laminated glass is used for doors
D) There is no difference
Answer: A) Tempered glass is heat-treated for strength; laminated glass has a
plastic interlayer
Explanation: Tempered glass (toughened glass) is produced by heating and rapid cooling,
creating compressive stresses that give it increased strength. When broken, it shatters into
small, relatively harmless cubes. Laminated glass consists of two or more glass layers
bonded with a plastic interlayer (typically PVB or SentryGlas). When broken, the glass
adheres to the interlayer, reducing the risk of falling glass.
, 7. Under IBC, what is the required test standard for safety glazing?
A) ASTM E84
B) CPSC 16 CFR 1201 or ANSI Z97.1
C) ASTM C1036
D) NFPA 70
Answer: B) CPSC 16 CFR 1201 or ANSI Z97.1
Explanation: The IBC and IRC require that safety glazing comply with either CPSC 16 CFR
1201 (Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standard for architectural glazing) or
ANSI Z97.1 (American National Standard for Safety Glazing Materials). Both standards
specify impact testing requirements.
8. According to the IRC, where is safety glazing required in a stairway?
A) Glazing adjacent to stairway landings
B) Glazing within 60 inches of the stair treads
C) Glazing within 36 inches of the stair treads
D) All glazing in stairways
Answer: B) Glazing within 60 inches of the stair treads
Explanation: IRC R308.4 requires safety glazing for glazing adjacent to stairways when the
glazing is within 60 inches (measured vertically) of any stair tread and within 36 inches
horizontally of the stairway. This protects against impact from persons using the stairs.
9. What type of glass is commonly used for shower enclosures?
A) Annealed glass
B) Tempered glass
C) Laminated glass
D) Wired glass
Answer: B) Tempered glass
Explanation: Tempered glass is the standard for shower enclosures because it is safety
glazing that shatters into small cubes if broken, reducing the risk of serious injury. It also
has high thermal resistance to withstand temperature changes from hot water.
