North Carolina Home Inspector Practice Exam

Sidelight windows by doors are required to be installed using what type of glass?

1. Tempered glass

2. Safety glass

3. Double-pane glass

4. Standard glass

The correct answer is: Safety glass

Sidelight windows by doors are required to be installed using safety glass due to safety regulations concerning impact resistance and the potential for injury if glass breaks. Safety glass, which includes tempered glass and laminated glass, is designed to minimize the risk of injury by breaking into small, less harmful pieces or by maintaining its integrity when shattered. This is particularly important in areas where people are likely to be in close proximity to the glass, such as near entryways. While tempered glass is a form of safety glass, not all safety glass needs to be tempered. Laminated glass, which consists of multiple layers binding a plastic interlayer, is also classified as safety glass and is effective in providing security against shattering. The key distinction here is that the requirement is for safety glass in general rather than specifically for tempered glass or any other type. Thus, ensuring compliance with this safety standard is critical in residential and commercial building practices to protect occupants and meet building codes.