The British Columbia Building Code | Section 9.6. | Glass
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
Section 9.6. Glass
9.6.1. General
9.6.1.1. Application
1) This Section applies to glass, and the protection of glass, in
a) doors, including closet doors and sidelights for doors,
b) windows,
c) skylights as defined in Sentence 9.7.1.1.(2),
d) shower or bathtub enclosures, and
e) glazed panels and partitions.
(See Note A-9.6.1.1.)
9.6.1.2. Material Standards for Glass
1) Glass shall conform to
a) CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass,”
b) CAN/CGSB-12.2-M, “Flat, Clear Sheet Glass,”
c) CAN/CGSB-12.3-M, “Flat, Clear Float Glass,”
d) CAN/CGSB-12.4-M, “Heat Absorbing Glass,”
e) CAN/CGSB-12.8, “Insulating Glass Units,”
f) CAN/CGSB-12.10-M, “Glass, Light and Heat Reflecting,”
g) CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass,” or
h) ASTM E 2190, “Insulating Glass Unit Performance and Evaluation.”
2) Mirrored glass doors are only permitted to be used at the entrance to clothes closets and shall conform to the
requirements of CAN/CGSB-82.6-M, “Doors, Mirrored Glass, Sliding or Folding, Wardrobe.”
(SeeNoteA-9.6.1.2.(2).)
9.6.1.3. Structural Sufficiency of Glass
1) Except as provided in Sentence(3
), glass shall be designed in conformance with
a) CAN/CGSB-12.20-M, “Structural Design of Glass for Buildings,” or
b) ASTM E 1300, “Standard Practice for Determining Load Resistance of Glass in Buildings.” (Seealso
Article4.3.6.1.).
2) Reserved.
3) Individual panes of glass conforming to Table 9.6.1.3. that are used in doors need not comply with
Sentence (1).
Table 9.6.1.3.
Glass Area for Doors
Forming Part of Sentence 9.6.1.3.(3)
Glass
Thickness,mm
Maximum Glass Area, m
2(1)
Typeof Glass
Annealed
Annealed,
Multiple-Glazed,
Factory-Sealed
Units
Laminated Wired Heat-Strengthened Fully Tempered
Fully Tempered,
Multiple-Glazed,
Factory-Sealed
3 0.50 0.70
(2) (2)
1.00 1.00 2.00
4 1.00 1.50
(2) (2)
1.50 4.00 4.00
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.6.1.4. Types of Glass and Protection of Glass
1) Glass sidelights greater than 500mm wide that could be mistaken for doors, glass in storm doors and glass in
sliding doors within or at every entrance to a dwelling unit and in public areas shall be
a) safety glass of the tempered or laminated type conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated
Safety Glass,” or
b) wired glass conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass.”
2) Except as provided in Sentence(4), glass in entrance doors to dwelling units and in public areas, other than
the entrance doors described in Sentence(1), shall be safety glass or wired glass of the type described in Sentence(1)
where the glass area exceeds 0.5m
2
and extends to less than 900mm from the bottom of the door.
3) Except as provided in Sentence(4), transparent panels that could be mistaken as a means of egress shall be
protected by barriers or railings.
4) Sliding glass partitions that separate a public corridor from an adjacent occupancy and that are open during
normal working hours need not conform to Sentences(2),(3) and(5), except that such partitions shall be suitably
marked to indicate their existence and position.
5) Except as provided in Sentence(4), every glass or transparent door accessible to the public shall be equipped
with hardware, bars or other permanent fixtures designed so that the existence and position of such doors is readily
apparent.
6) Glass other than safety glass shall not be used for a shower or bathtub enclosure.
5 1.50 1.50
(2) (2)
1.50 No limit No limit
6 1.50 1.50 1.20 1.00 1.50 No limit No limit
Notes to Table9.6.1.3.:
(1) See Note A-Table 9.6.1.3.
(2) Not generally available.
Table 9.6.1.3. (continued)
Glass Area for Doors
Forming Part of Sentence 9.6.1.3.(3)
Glass
Thickness,mm
Maximum Glass Area, m
2(1)
Typeof Glass
Annealed
Annealed,
Multiple-Glazed,
Factory-Sealed
Units
Laminated Wired Heat-Strengthened Fully Tempered
Fully Tempered,
Multiple-Glazed,
Factory-Sealed
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.6.1.4. Types of Glass and Protection of Glass
1) Glass sidelights greater than 500mm wide that could be mistaken for doors, glass in storm doors and glass in
sliding doors within or at every entrance to a dwelling unit and in public areas shall be
a) safety glass of the tempered or laminated type conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated
Safety Glass,” or
b) wired glass conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass.”
2) Except as provided in Sentence(4), glass in entrance doors to dwelling units and in public areas, other than
the entrance doors described in Sentence(1), shall be safety glass or wired glass of the type described in Sentence(1)
where the glass area exceeds 0.5m
2
and extends to less than 900mm from the bottom of the door.
3) Except as provided in Sentence(4), transparent panels that could be mistaken as a means of egress shall be
protected by barriers or railings.
4) Sliding glass partitions that separate a public corridor from an adjacent occupancy and that are open during
normal working hours need not conform to Sentences(2),(3) and(5), except that such partitions shall be suitably
marked to indicate their existence and position.
5) Except as provided in Sentence(4), every glass or transparent door accessible to the public shall be equipped
with hardware, bars or other permanent fixtures designed so that the existence and position of such doors is readily
apparent.
6) Glass other than safety glass shall not be used for a shower or bathtub enclosure.
5 1.50 1.50
(2) (2)
1.50 No limit No limit
6 1.50 1.50 1.20 1.00 1.50 No limit No limit
Notes to Table9.6.1.3.:
(1) See Note A-Table 9.6.1.3.
(2) Not generally available.
Table 9.6.1.3. (continued)
Glass Area for Doors
Forming Part of Sentence 9.6.1.3.(3)
Glass
Thickness,mm
Maximum Glass Area, m
2(1)
Typeof Glass
Annealed
Annealed,
Multiple-Glazed,
Factory-Sealed
Units
Laminated Wired Heat-Strengthened Fully Tempered
Fully Tempered,
Multiple-Glazed,
Factory-Sealed