Illustration of the IBC Change Affecting Use of Wired Glass in Impact/Safety Applications

Outlined below is the old (IBC 2000) and new (IBC 2003) wording regarding Safety Glazing. The areas relevant to wired glass are underlined.

The IBC 2000 edition reads…

IBC 2000…OLD
SECTION 2406
SAFETY GLAZING

2406.1 Human impact loads. Individual glazed area, including glass mirrors, in hazardous locations as defined in Section 2406.2 shall pass the test requirements of CPSC 16 CFR 1201, listed in Chapter 35. Glazing shall comply with the CPSC16 CFR. Part 1201 criteria for Category I or Category II as indicated in Table 2406.1.

Exceptions:
1. Polished wire glass installed in fire doors, fire windows and view panels in fire-resistant walls shall comply with
    ANSI Z971.1 listed in Chapter 35.
2. Plastic glazing shall meet the weathering requirements of ANSI Z97. listed in Chapter 35.
3. Glass-block walls shall comply with Section 2101.2.4.
4. Louvered windows and jalousies shall comply with Section 2403.5.

TABLE 2406.1
MINIMUM CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION OF GLAZING

IBC 2003…CURRENT
SECTION 2406
SAFETY GLAZING

2406.1 Human impact loads. Individual glazed area, including glass mirrors, in hazardous locations as defined
in Section 2406.3 shall comply with Sections 2406.1.1 through 2406.1.5.

   2401.6.1.1 CPSC 16 CFR 1201. Except as provided in Sections 2406.1.2 through 2406.1.5, all glazing shall pass    the test requirements of CPSC 16 CFR 1201, listed in Chapter 35. Glazing shall comply with the CPSC 16 CFR,
   Part 1201 criteria, for Category I or II as Indicated in Table 2406.1.

   2406.1.2 Wired Glass. In other than Group E, wired glass installed in fire doors, fire windows and view panels in    fire-resistant walls shall be permitted to comply with ANSI Z97.1.

   2406.1.3 Plastic glazing. Plastic glazing shall meet the weathering requirements of ANSI Z97.1.

   2406.1.4 Glass block. Glass block walls shall comply with Section 2101.2.5.

   2406.1.5 Louvered windows & jalousies. Louvered windows and jalousies shall comply with Section 2403.5.

TABLE 2406.1
MINIMUM CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION OF GLAZING

So, what is Group E? It is defined in IBC 2003 below, as…

SECTION 305
EDUCATIONAL GROUP E

305.1 Education Group E. Education Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building of
structure, or a portion thereof, by six or more persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th
grade. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which are accessory to churches in accordance with Section 302.2 and have occupant loads less than 100, shall be classified as A-3 occupancies.

305.2 Day care. The use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, for educational, supervision or personal care services for more than five children older than 2-1/2 years of age, shall be classified as a Group E occupancy.

IBC 2006…NEW
SECTION 2406
SAFETY GLAZING

ICC Board of Directors Action on 2003/2004 Code Change Appeals

As noted in the 2004 Supplement to the International Codes, the final action on Code Changes FS138-03/04 (IBC Section 1405.12.2), S85-03/04 (IBC Section 2406.1.2) and RB205-03/04 (IRC Section R613.2) was stayed by the ICC Board of Directors, pending resolutions of the appeals. The appeals were processed in accordance with ICC Council Policy #1-Appeals. At the ICC Board. The following is the disposition of these code changes and the impact on the 2004 Supplement to the International Codes.

FS138-03/04
The ICC Board of Directors denied the appeal and the stay is no longer in effect. Accordingly, Section 1405.12.2 of the 2004 Supplement to the International Building Code (page IBC-45) now reads as follows:

Section 1405.12.2 Add new to read as shown: (FS138-03/04)

1405.12.2 Windows sills. In occupancy Group R, one-and two family and multiple single family dwellings, where the rough opening for the still portion of an operable window is located more than 72 inches above the grade or other surface below, the rough opening for the still, or lowest part of the operable portion of the window, shall be a minimum of 24 inches above the finished floor of the room in which the window is located.

Exceptions. Windows whose openings will not allow a 4 inch diameter sphere to pass through the opening when the opening is in its largest opened position.

RB205-03/04
The ICC Board of Directors denied the appeal and the stay is no longer in effect. Accordingly, Section R613.2 of the 2004 Supplement to the International Residential Code (page IRC-42) now reads as follows:

Section R613.2 Add new section to read as shown: (RB205-03/04)

R613.2 Windows sills. In dwelling units, where the rough opening for the still portion of and operable window is located more than 72 inches above the ground of other surface below, the rough opening for the sill portion of the window shall be a minimum of 24 inches above the finished floor of the room in which the window is located.

Exception. Windows whose openings will not allow a 4 inch diameter sphere to pass through the opening when the opening is in its largest opened position.