What is the exception to the safety glazing requirement regarding the 24-inch rule?

The safety glazing requirement is designed to minimize the risk of injury from accidental impacts with glass. The 24-inch rule specifies that safety glazing must be used in certain locations where a person's body might come into direct contact with glass.

The exception related to the fixed panel of a glass door arises because the design and placement of these panels typically do not present the same risk of accidental impact compared to other locations. Fixed panels next to glass doors are generally considered to be less hazardous as they are often positioned where people would not naturally walk into them, especially when entering or exiting. Therefore, this type of glazing is allowed to float the requirement for safety glazing, acknowledging the controlled nature of interaction with these panels.

In other scenarios such as glazing in skylights, glazing that is not accessible, or glazing located more than 24 inches from the door, different considerations apply that do not warrant an exception under the same criteria. Each of these situations may still contain risk factors that necessitate the use of safety glazing to protect those who might come into contact with the glass.