I see windows in the stairwell, parallel to the walking surface, all the time untempered. I will see windows such as the one shown untempered, and a window at the landing tempered.
My understanding is that the one pictured should be tempered. Am I wrong?
You understand it the way I do, Joe.
http://www.nachi.org/safety-glass-for-inspectors.htm
…
http://www.deckmagazine.com/images/articles/2007/0707/pdb0707st_illo2.jpg
**R308.4 #10 and #11
**
Another angle…
Glazing at Stairs and Landings
Glazing in walls enclosing stairway landings or within
5 feet of the bottom and top of stairways where the
bottom edge of the glass is less than 60 inches above a
walking surface.
I think you are correct based on your measurement.
That 60 inches should measured from the plane of the stairs (i.e., a line drawn across the noses of all the stairs), so you should always take your measurement from the nose.
Also, I recommend that you be careful of your report wording: In your inspection, you were unable to find an indication to confirm that it was tempered glass, you haven’t really determined that it is untempered glass. Tempered glass should have a bug, but it may not always be there or be visible.
This how I worded it:
“A window within sixty inches of the stair surface could not be verified as being tempered or safety-glazed, which is required by today’s commonly accepted construction standards. Replacement with tempered glass or safety glass is recommended for safety reasons.”
Thanks to everyone. I just see that so often in new construction, like today, that I was beginning to question my own ability to read and understand English. I guess it’s not me after all.
That window is only 55 inches from the landing? it looks a lot higher than that.
