Window height and temperance

[Jeff Prince]

Hi Guys
Quick question abot sill height. Seems to be some different opinons. If a window sill height is below 36" but it is not in a location sucha as stairs or landing does it need a guard and does it need to be tempered ? The window in question was about 2' feet from the floor

[Drew Levy CPI]

Jeff, everything that I've ever heard, read or had been told is when the sill of window is lower than 18" to the floor the glass in the lower sash (minimum) of a single or double hung window needs to be tempered glass. That also applies to casements, fixed, ect. but the whole window would need safety glass.

[Jeff Prince]

Thank you drew

[Tim Spargo]

For future reference :-) Better late than never?

The ABCD rule can apply there BTW.

Meaning, if

The top edge of the glazing is 36" above floor or ground A

The Bottom Edge of the glazing is less than 18" from the Ground B

The Glazing/Glass is within 36" of a Walking surface (this is where most people make a mistake) C

The exposed area of Glazing/glass is greater than 9 square feet D

or ALWAYS if the glazing is within 24" of a door.

IF A+B+C+D exist, the window needs to be tempered.

You could "recommend" if simply close to the floor, but if it is not a "walking surface" within 36" of the glazing... you may be told you are wrong... then "recommending" may not be taken as seriously... if in reverse.

There have been cases I've recommended glazing be tempered in locations that are not required...


You can find this reference in IRC 308.4? (or close)


Tim

[Darin Redding]

Good stuff Tim.  A good refresher on the topic.