Glazing Compliance in California

In California, glazing must meet strict building codes that prioritize safety, energy efficiency, and environmental resilience. Under the California Building Code (CBC), tempered or laminated safety glass is required in high-risk areas such as doors, windows near doors, bathrooms, and stairways to minimize injury from breakage. The California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) sets equally rigorous standards for efficiency, mandating the use of low-emissivity coatings, insulated glass units, and performance benchmarks for light transmission to reduce reliance on artificial lighting while maintaining insulation. Depending on the climate zone, additional requirements may apply, such as impact-resistant glazing in high-wind or seismic regions and fire-rated glass in wildfire-prone areas as outlined in CBC Chapter 7A. Accessibility also plays a role, with Chapter 11B requiring glazing in public buildings to comply with ADA standards for usability and transparency. Altogether, California’s glazing codes ensure that glass systems not only enhance aesthetics but also improve occupant safety, reduce energy consumption, and increase resilience against natural hazards.