BCAB #1324 - Safety Glazing, Article 9.7.1.6

October 20, 1993

BCAB #1324

Re: Safety Glazing, Article 9.7.1.6

Project Description

The project in question is a house with windows extending to the floor level in many rooms. The window units are 3'6" wide and 8' high with 2" x 41/2" aluminum frames and a 2" x 41/2" horizontal aluminum mullion at 1'3" above the floor. Both panes of double glazing are fixed.

Reason for Appeal

Article 9.7.1.6. requires "...glass in windows that extend to less than 200 mm (8") from the floor..." to be safety or wired glass.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that Article 9.7.1.6. was intended to protect people from injury where they might walk into a window because it could be mistaken for an opening or open door. In the opinion of the appellant the substantial mullion at 1'3" above the floor makes the presence of the window quite obvious and negates the need for safety glass at least in the pane above the mullion.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the window extends to less than 200 mm above the floor and all the glazing must be safety or wired glass.

Appeal Board Decision #1324

It is the determination of the Board that Article 9.7.1.6. requires both the upper and lower panes of glass to be safety or wired glass because they are both in the same window and the glass extends to less than 200 mm from the floor. However, should the design of the window be considered to provide a level of safety equal to that required by the Code, the building official may consider this under Section 2.5, Equivalents.

George R. Humphrey, Chair