What is the code requirement for eye level safety decals to be affixed to full-height glass walls?
In the United Kingdom, it has been a law ( Manifestation Legislation) for several years that all glass partitions and clear glass doors be clearly identified. That is not the case in the US, as it has yet to be addressed by the IBC. There has been talk that OSHA was considering similar regulation, but nothing yet. Few States have adopted some version of the regulation but it’s on a case by case basis. See below for more details.
Common practice for glass wall safety markings (decal) are to be applied in two locations. One between 32" and 40" above finish floor, and one between 55" and 63" above finish floor. That makes the glass visible for young and old, short people and tall people and even pets.
Manifestation Legislation (UK)
Frosted Manifestation is one of the most cost effective and easiest ways to ensure you are up to date with the latest manifestation legislation and comply with current building regulations.
If you have any full height glass in windows, partitions or doors, you must ensure that it is marked correctly with glass manifestation to make sure that it is made apparent. Glass manifestation is designed to help make glass obvious which can prevent injury if somebody was to walk into the glass.
The Building Regulations 2000 : Part M states that glass entrance doors and glass screens will satisfy requirement M1 or M2 if:
a) They are clearly defined with glass manifestation on the glass at two levels; between 850mm and 1000mm and between 1400mm and 1600mm above the floor, contrasting visually with the background seen through the glass (both inside and out) in all lighting conditions.
b) Manifestation takes the form of logo or sign at least 150mm high (repeated if on a glazed screen), or a decorative feature such as broken lines or continuous bands, at least 50mm high.
State of New York — Division of Safety and Health (DOSH)
Labor Law PART 47 Transparent Glass Doors
47.8 Marking locations.
Transparent glass doors and fixed adjacent transparent glass sidelights shall be marked in two areas on the glass surface thereof. One such area shall be located at least 30, but not more than 36 inches and the other at least 60, but not more than 66 inches above the ground, floor or equivalent surface below the door or sidelight.
Exceptions:
1. Transparent glass doors and fixed adjacent transparent glass sidelights shall be exempt from the upper area marking requirement (60 to 66 inches above the ground, floor or equivalent surface) if they are provided with horizontal separation bars, muntin bars or equivalent at least one and one-half inches in vertical dimension that extend across the total width of the glazed area and are located at least 40, but not more than 50 inches above the bottom of the door or sidelight.
47.9 Marking dimensions.
The marking design shall be at least four inches in diameter if circular or four inches in its least dimension if elliptical or polygonal, or shall be at least 12 inches in horizontal dimension if the marking is less than four inches in its least dimension. In no event shall the vertical dimension of any marking including lettering be less than one and one-half inches in height.
47.10 Marking methods.
(a) In addition to horizontal muntin bars, separation bars or equivalent, any of the following methods may be used to alert persons to the presence of transparent glass doors and fixed adjacent transparent glass sidelights in their path of movement:
(1) chemical etching;
(2) sandblasting;
(3) adhesive strips not less than one and one-half inches in vertical dimension extending across at least two-thirds of the total glazed area;
(4) decals;
(5) paint, gilding or other opaque marking materials;
(6) opaque door pulls or push bars extending across at least two-thirds of the total width of the glazed area.
