BLDC 1500

2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9

SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Module 5
Section 9.6. Glass

Based on December 10, 2018 adopted code

BLDC 1500 Section 9.6. Glass
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

The following is a list of the BC Building Code references covered in this Section:

9.6 Glass
9.6.1. General
9.6.1.1. Application
9.6.1.2. Material Standards for Glass
9.6.1.3. Structural Sufficiency of Glass
9.6.1.4. Types of Glass and Protection of Glass
BLDC 1500 Section 9.6. Glass
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Material Index
9.6.1. GENERAL 1
Introduction
This Section deals with the subject of Section 9.6. Glass. This Section contains the requirements for glass used
within a building and as an exterior separator for a building.
Objectives
To be able to:
 Determine the Standard to which various glass types are to conform.
 Understand the concept of “structural design of glass” for buildings.
 Determine the minimum thickness of glass based on area of glass in doors.
 Determine the type of glass required for specific uses.
 Understand the requirements for when protection of glass is required.

SECTION 9.6. GLASS

9.6.1. General
9.6.1.1. Application
As expected this Article lists those locations and devices to which this Subsection applies. What is important to
note here is that for exterior manufactured windows, doors and skylights the glass requirements are listed in the
Standards to which they are manufactured and not this Subsection.
Protection of glass is also included in this Subsection and deals with ensuring that where glass is used such that it
could be mistaken for an open passage by people the glass be protected or marked to indicate its existence.
9.6.1.2. Material Standards for Glass
This Article lists the various Standards to which glass is to be certified to.
Sentence (2) in this Article has direction to see Note A-9.6.1.2.(2). It is important to read this as it describes a
limitation on mirrored doors manufactured to the listed Standard to reach-in closets only. Mirrored doors
manufactured to the Standard are not permitted to be used in walk-through doors to closets.
9.6.1.3. Structural Sufficiency of Glass
In Sentence (1), which deals with glass not in a door, we are required to design glass according to CAN/CGSB-
12.20-M or ASTM E1300. There is now a reference to Article 4.3.6.1. which provides an additional adjustment
factor.
Sentence (2) is reserved as the BC code did not adopt this sentence.
Sentence (3) deals with glass in doors and we are provided with Table 9.6.1.3. which provides the minimum
required glass thickness in relation to the area of a glass pane in a door. Please note that there is a further
limitation on glass in doors listed in 9.6.1.4.(2) (see below). This Table applies to all doors containing glass. The
Table is based on currently accepted theory of glass resistance and includes the various types of glass which are
available. The greater the inherent strength of the glass, the less the thickness of the glass may be for a given area.
Please review this Table and ensure that you are interpreting the content of the Table correctly. Thickness of glass
is in the left side column and the main body of the Table lists AREA of the particular glass type. Review Table
9.6.1.3.
An example,
A door having an annealed glass area of 1.0m2 will require a minimum glass thickness of 4mm.
Note; the Table has a “no limit” statement in the 5mm and 6mm entries for Fully Tempered glass. Remember that
the Table is for individual glass panes in a door and that if there is no limit to the area of glass in a door it does not
mean that the door can simply be a sheet of glass. The door is still to have a frame supporting the glass.
9.6.1.4. Types of Glass and Protection of Glass
Sentence (1) speaks directly to sidelights for entry doors to dwelling units and doors in public areas. A glass
sidelight is a framed area of fixed glass alongside a door opening. When a glass sidelight is greater than 500mm in
width and is configured so as to be mistaken for a door, the glass type must be either safety or wired glass. Glass in
storm doors and sliding doors within a dwelling unit or at the entrance to a dwelling unit must also be safety glass

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BLDC 1500 Section 9.6. Glass
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

or wired glass. In other words, wherever there is a danger of a person accidentally colliding with glass, the glass
must be of a type which will not expose sharp edges when it shatters.
There are three types of safety glass recognised in the Code. They are:
Consisting of two or more sheets held together by an intervening layer or
Laminated glass
layers of plastic material.
Consisting of a single sheet of glass heat treated in the manufacturing
Tempered glass process so that the entire piece breaks into small, granular pieces thereby
reducing the risk of dangerous shards of glass.
Which is flat rolled glass having a layer of meshed wire completely
Wired safety glass embedded in the sheet, intended for use in skylights and general glazing
where fire retardation, security and safety are a consideration.
Sentence (2) deals with glass in entrance doors for dwelling units. When the glass area exceeds 0.5m2 and extends
to less than 900mm from the bottom of the door the glass is required to be safety or wired glass. See Figure 6-1. It
must be noted that if a glass panel is 0.5m2 or less in area then the glass does not need to be safety or wired glass
and it can be located anywhere in the door.

Area more Area less

than 0.5m² than 0.5m²

Less than 900mm

Less than 900mm

Safety Glass Required Safety Glass Not Required

Figure 6-1
Sentence (3) deals with any transparent panel, including any non-glass material, which could be mistaken as a
means of egress. The panel must be protected by a barrier or railing. Please read the defined term means of egress
to get a clear understanding that the path a person takes from anywhere within a building to an exit and then to a
clear space away from the building is included in a means of egress. A transparent panel in the path is restricted to
the above requirement and includes dwelling units.
Sentences (4) and (5) do not apply to a SFD, therefore, will not be address in this course.
Sentence (6) is self-explained and needs no further discussion.

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BLDC 1500 Section 9.6. Glass
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Self-Test for Sections 9.6.

1. Are factory built windows required to have glass which conforms to this Section?
Answer: ________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

2. Assuming that a factory sealed double glazed unit of annealed glass is used for a glass panel in a door, what
thickness is required for the glass panel if it measures 600mm by 900mm?
Answer: ________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

3. To what Standard is glass used in an exterior sliding glass door to comply?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

4. A swing type door in a house between a den and a hallway has a glass panel 600mm x 1500mm. Is this panel
required to be safety glass?
Answer: ________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

5. A sidelight 600mm wide and 600mm high is located beside an entrance door. The bottom of the sidelight is
1.0m above the floor. Is safety glass required for the sidelight?
Answer: ________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

6. What are the 1/50 hourly wind pressures for the following cities?
Answer: A. Aggassiz __________________
B. Merritt __________________
C. Sandspit __________________
D. North Vancouver __________________
E. Ladner __________________
Code Reference: ___________________________________

7. A building is located facing a large lake in Merritt. What are the Performance Requirements for a window
facing this lake?
Answer: ________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

BLDC 1500 Section 9.6. Glass
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Answers to Self-Test for Section 9.6.

1. Are factory built windows required to have glass which conforms to this Section?
Answer: No

Code Reference: 9.6.1.1.(1)

2. Assuming that a factory sealed double glazed unit of annealed glass is used for a glass panel in a door, what
thickness is required for the glass panel if it measures 600mm by 900mm?
Answer: 3.0mm

Code Reference: 9.6.1.3(3) to Table 9.6.1.3.

3. To what Standard is glass used in an exterior sliding glass door to comply?

Answer: CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass”.

Code Reference: 9.6.1.4.(1)

4. A swing type door in a house between a den and a hallway has a glass panel 600mm x 1500mm. Is this panel
required to be safety glass?
Answer: No, swing type doors within a dwelling unit are not regulated.

Code Reference: Article 9.6.1.4.

5. A sidelight 600mm wide and 600mm high is located beside an entrance door. The bottom of the sidelight is
1.0m above the floor. Is safety glass required for the sidelight?
Answer: No. a 600mm x 600mm opening is not likely to be mistaken for a door.

Code Reference: 9.6.1.4(1)

6. What are the 1/50 hourly wind pressures for the following cities?
Answer: A. Aggassiz 0.47 kPa
B. Merritt 0.44 kPa
C. Sandspit 0.78 kPa
D. North Vancouver 0.45 kPa
E. Ladner 0.46 kPa
Code Reference: 1.3.1.1.(1) to Appendix C, Table C-2