I would have to agree with you husband. That glass is not made to withstand elements like hail. Also it will not be very efficent keeping temps stable. You really need double pane glass. I know, it is expensive but so is replacing the glass when it breaks... Mike

kirkhall, if the IRC applied to your project without revision, your inspector was not over-zelous, he simply "misremembered" the glazing provisions. The code specifically exempts "Glazing that is adjacent to the fixed panel of patio doors" (item 2, last exception). Safety glazing is required by the IRC in "hazardous locations" which are defined as follows: R308.4 Hazardous locations. The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing: 1. Glazing in all fixed and operable panels of swinging, sliding and bifold doors. Exceptions: - Glazed openings of a size through which a 3-inch diameter (76 mm) sphere is unable to pass. - Decorative glazing. 2. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24-inch (610 mm) arc of the door in a closed position and whose bottom edge is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the floor or walking surface. Exceptions: - Decorative glazing. - When there is an intervening wall or other permanent barrier between the door and the glazing. - Glazing in walls on the latch side of and perpendicular to the plane of the door in a closed position. - Glazing adjacent to a door where access through the door is to a closet or storage area 3 feet (914 mm) or less in depth - Glazing that is adjacent to the fixed panel of patio doors. 3. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel that meets all of the following conditions: 3.1. The exposed area of an individual pane is larger than 9 square feet (0.836 m2); and 3.2. The bottom edge of the glazing is less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor; and 3.3. The top edge of the glazing is more than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor; and 3.4. One or more walking surfaces are within 36 inches (914 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, of the glazing. Exceptions: - Decorative glazing. - When a horizontal rail is installed on the accessible side(s) of the glazing 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965) above the walking surface. The rail shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50 pounds per linear foot (730 N/m) without contacting the glass and be a minimum of 11/2 inches (38 mm) in cross sectional height. - Outboard panes in insulating glass units and other multiple glazed panels when the bottom edge of the glass is 25 feet (7620 mm) or more above grade, a roof, walking surfaces or other horizontal [within 45 degrees (0.79 rad) of horizontal] surface adjacent to the glass exterior. 4. All glazing in railings regardless of area or height above a walking surface. Included are structural baluster panels and nonstructural infill panels. 5. Glazing in enclosures for or walls facing hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs and showers where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) measured vertically above any standing or walking surface. Exception: Glazing that is more than 60 inches (1524 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, from the waters edge of a hot tub, whirlpool or bathtub. 6. Glazing in walls and fences adjacent to indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs and spas where the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above a walking surface and within 60 inches (1524 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, of the water's edge. This shall apply to single glazing and all panes in multiple glazing. 7. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings and ramps within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of a walking surface when the exposed surface of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface. Exceptions: - When a rail is installed on the accessible side(s) of the glazing 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965 mm) above the walking surface. The rail shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50 pounds per linear foot (730 N/m) without contacting the glass and be a minimum of 11/2 inches (38 mm) in cross sectional height. - The side of the stairway has a guardrail or handrail, including balusters or in-fill panels, complying with Sections R311.7.7 and R312 and the plane of the glazing is more than 18 inches (457 mm) from the railing; or - When a solid wall or panel extends from the plane of the adjacent walking surface to 34 inches (863 mm) to 36 inches (914 mm) above the walking surface and the construction at the top of that wall or panel is capable of withstanding the same horizontal load as a guard. 8. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway in any direction when the exposed surface of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the nose of the tread. Exceptions: - The side of the stairway has a guardrail or handrail, including balusters or in-fill panels, complying with Sections R311.7.7 and R312 and the plane of the glass is more than 18 inches (457 mm) from the railing; or - When a solid wall or panel extends from the plane of the adjacent walking surface to 34 inches (864 mm) to 36 inches (914 mm) above the walking surface and the construction at the top of that wall or panel is capable of withstanding the same horizontal load as a guard.

The bathrooms at the University Club in New York are small, and they have a mirror on the wall over the pedestal sink and toilet, which is between 4 and 5 feet. There is a glass shelf that runs the length of the mirror. It's 3/8" glass and is 4" deep. The mirror has trim around it to frame the mirror. The whole effect is very attractive. Four inches is a more than adequate depth without interfering with the operation of the sink faucet. You do need to mount the shelf high enough to meet the clearance specified for your faucet. Check the faucet installation guide for the clearance required. I'd ask at your friendly neighborhood frameless shower door place. They will also know what hardware you need to mount the shelf.

IBC and IRC enforcement is a local issue. Most jurisdictions have adopted these standards and thus, they are the law. If the building inspectors are not enforcing the code, they are also subjecting themselves and their localities to potential lawsuits and should be reported to the State Attorney General. I suspect most of these types of injuries receive an out of court settlement and therefore stay out of the newspapers. I can assure you that most people who had a child seriously injured and/or permanently scarred for life due to crashing into a window that was required to be tempered glass, would be looking for a very aggressive attorney to start filing lawsuits against any and everyone who was responsible.