Is it required tempered glass windows?

Question

Building an ADU in San Jose of CA.  There is a 3'x1' sliding window in bathroom just above the tub/shower.  The height from the floor is 68".  Is this window require tempered glass?

Terrell Garren · Answer

You will need to look at CA building code. In NC, tempered is required in potential slip/fall areas. E.g Bathroom, walkways, etc. It's not an expensive upgrade.

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Jim G.

Per the International Residential Code if the glazing is less then 60 inches vertically from a standing or walking surface then yes it’s required to be safety glass as it’s considered a hazardous area.  See excerpt below from the code.

R308.4.5 Glazing and wet surfaces. Glazing in walls, enclosures or fences containing or facing hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, showers and indoor or outdoor swimming pools where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) measured vertically above any standing or walking surface shall be considered to be a hazardous location. This shall apply to single glazing and each pane in multiple glazing.Exception: Glazing that is more than 60 inches (1524 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, from the water’s edge of a bathtub, hot tub, spa, whirlpool or swimming pool or from the edge of a shower, sauna or steam room.

Albert Ng · Answer

68" is about 5.5 ft. Why do you put a window that low in the bathroom?