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OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 · SECTION 9.6 — GLASS

Where is safety glass required in a house in Ontario?

Safety glass (tempered or laminated) is required in glass doors including sliding patio doors and shower or bathtub enclosures, and in certain sidelights that could be mistaken for doors. Wired glass is limited to fire-rated locations.

Code reference
Glass in locations subject to human impact must be safety glass: glass doors such as sliding and swinging entrance doors, storm doors, and shower and bathtub enclosures require tempered or laminated glass. Sidelights that could be mistaken for doors are similarly restricted, and ordinary annealed glass is prohibited in these hazard locations.
OBC Division B, Subsection 9.6.1.

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

The hazard locations are where people walk into or fall against glass: patio doors, glass shower surrounds, and full-height sidelights beside entry doors. Tempered glass carries a permanent etched mark in a corner; inspectors look for it, so do not order unmarked glass for these spots. Renovators replacing a tub with a glass shower must use certified safety glazing, not repurposed window glass. Guards with glass infill panels have additional requirements, and large windows near floor level deserve safety glazing as good practice even where not mandated.

Plain language

Anywhere a person could crash into glass, like patio doors and shower enclosures, the glass must be the safety kind that crumbles into pebbles or holds together instead of forming daggers. Look for the etched logo in the corner.

Related questions

Is there a maximum glass size or thickness rule for houses in Ontario?

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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.