There are exceptions allowed for decorative glass in windows also along with the addition of a sturdy rail in front of the glass and outboard panes of insulating glass in a high location.
Is tempered glass required in bathroom windows.
Other areas in the bathroom that require use of tempered glass are enclosures including walls and doors surrounding tubs hot tubs showers spas whirlpools saunas and steam rooms.
Where to install windows with tempered glass is not just dictated by the height of the window.
Tempered glass is made to reduce the chances of injury or death.
A window must be tempered glass if all of the following criteria are met.
Anywhere within 5 of a hot tub swimming pool spa sauna shower or bathtub.
An illustrated guide to the building mechanical and electrical codes by redwood kardon et al conditions requiring a window to have tempered glass include a window lower than 18 inches from the ground larger than 9 square feet in area with a top higher than 3.
None of this should be interpreted to exclude using safety tempered glass for in a location that you decide warrants it.
Tempered glass in bathrooms.
All glass in any bathroom or wet area such as showers bathtubs hot tubs steam rooms whirlpools saunas spa decks and swimming pools should be made of tempered glass or safety glass if the bottom edge is less than 60 inches above the walkway or standing surface and within 60 inches of the water.
Wire reinforced glass is no longer permitted for use as a bathroom window safety glass.
According to code check complete.
Besides the glass in the door in the photo above both sidelights would require safety tempered glass and also the window at the stair landing if it is within 24 inches of the edge of the door.
Windows in general need to be made of tempered glass which is a bit different than years ago when only upper story windows needed to be tempered and first floor windows could be regular glass.
Anything within 2 of a door on the hinge side.
More than 9 square feet in one single piece of glass that is 18 inches or less from the floor and the top of the glass is.
For an overiew of all the locations where safety tempered glass is required in a home see our blog post where is safety tempered glass required for.
According to the 2012 international residential code it is required at these hazardous locations.
Glass in the bathroom.
And the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60.