California IDEX Practice Exam

Which of the following materials meets the safety glazing requirements for hazardous locations?

1. Regular glass

2. Obscure glass

3. Tempered or laminated glass

4. Acrylic glass

The correct answer is: Tempered or laminated glass

Tempered or laminated glass is recognized for its ability to meet safety glazing requirements for hazardous locations. This type of glass is manufactured to be much stronger and more resistant to impact than regular or obscure glass. If broken, tempered glass shatters into small, blunt pieces that reduce the risk of injury, while laminated glass is designed to hold together when shattered, thereby preventing dangerous shards from falling. These characteristics make tempered and laminated glass ideal choices for use in areas where safety is a priority, such as doors, windows in high-traffic areas, and locations that are at increased risk of impact or breakage. Regular glass, being more fragile, does not provide the necessary safety features and can easily cause injury if shattered. Obscure glass, although it may provide privacy, lacks the strength and safety properties needed for hazardous areas. Acrylic glass, while lighter and shatter-resistant, does not have the same mechanical strength or safety ratings as tempered or laminated glass. Thus, tempered or laminated glass is the most suitable material for such applications.