Something you should need to know
The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code that has been widely adopted by most jurisdictions throughout the United States.
IBC 2021 provides instructions for the type of glass to be used. | |||
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“Glass used in a handrail or a guard shall be laminated glass constructed of fully tempered or heat-strengthened glass and shall comply with Category II of CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 or Class A of ANSI Z97.1. ” | |||
“Guards with structural glass balusters, whether vertical posts, columns or panels, shall be installed with an attached top rail or handrail. The top rail or handrail shall be supported by not fewer than three glass balusters,or shall be otherwise supported to remain in place should one glass baluster fail.” | |||
However, there’s an exception to this requirement: laminated glass balusters. In case the glass baluster is laminated and has been impact-tested to be used as a barrier in compliance with ASTM standard 2353 (The American Society for Testing and Materials), then a top rail isn’t a requirement. | |||