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When to use tempered glass...
When to use tempered safety glass in your commercial vinyl windows and doors:
Glass doors
According to the IRC, all glass panels in fixed, sliding, swinging, operable, or bifold doors should have tempered glass or laminated glass installed. Any glass that is within 24 inches of a doorway must be made of tempered glass if the bottom edge of the glass is 60 inches or less above the walking surface. The rule does not apply if the glass is decorative or if the glass opening is smaller than 3 inches.
Glass in the bathroom
All glass in any bathroom or wet area such as showers, bathtubs, hot tubs, steam rooms, whirlpools, saunas, spa decks, and swimming pools should be made of tempered glass or safety glass if the bottom edge is less than 60 inches above the walkway or standing surface and within 60 inches of the water.
Glass near stairways
Any glass in walls adjacent to stairs, landings, and ramps should be made of tempered glass if the glass is within 5 feet of the top or bottom of the stairs and the bottom edge of the glass is 60 inches or less above the walking surface. Glass stair rails and baluster panels must be made of tempered glass.
Windows
A window must be tempered glass if all of the following criteria are met: more than 9 square feet in one single piece of glass that is 18 inches or less from the floor and the top of the glass is greater than 36 inches above the floor and has a 36-inch walkway on either side of the glass.