Mirrors that are mounted on a continuous backing support do not have to be safety tempered glass, even if located in areas defined as hazardous for glazing by the building code. This is because glazing is defined as the “process of installing an infill material into a prepared opening in windows, door panels, partitions, etc.” Unless a mirror is installed in an opening, it is not glazing. Here’s how the exception is listed in the International Residential Code (IRC) and Residential Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC):

        This only applies to residential construction because the code requires shatter-resistant mirrors in some commercial situations, such as an aquatic facility (pool) bathroom. But it is still a good idea to have bathroom mirrors that will not explode into hundreds of shards of sharp, falling glass if impacted. The tempering process for safety glass creates wavy imperfections that become more visible when a mirror coating is applied, so a more practical solution is to buy a mirror with “safety backing” for your bathroom. Safety backing is an adhesive film made from polypropylene that is applied to the back surface of the mirror. It keeps the glass pieces in place when shattered and also helps control moisture that can deteriorate the mirror paint.

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Here’s links to some of our other blog posts about BATHROOMS:

• Honey, who shrunk the toilet? 

• Why is it a problem when a trap under a bathroom sink is installed backwards? 

• What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under bathroom sinks?

• Why is there sand in the bottom of my toilet tank?  

• How do you test a shower pan for leaks?

• What is a "fixture unit" for plumbing? 

• Are drop-in toilet bowl cleaner tablets safe?

• Why is there mold inside my toilet tank?  

• What are the pros and cons of a wall-mounted toilet?

• Is a hot water faucet handle required to be on the left? 

• What is an escutcheon plate? 

• Why is the European-style bottle trap not approved by the plumbing codes in the U.S.? 

• What are the minimum clearances around a toilet? 

• Can I make a trap under the sink from straight pipe and 90º elbows?  

• Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the bathroom sink? 

• What is that big thing in the toilet tank? 

• What is the difference between a plumbing fixture, a plumbing appliance, and a plumbing appurtenance?

• Why is my bathroom vent fan not exhausting enough air? 

• What is an "S-Trap" under my sink? Why is it a problem? 

• What is a P-trap? 

• When did the building code begin requiring bathroom vent fans to discharge to the exterior (not the attic or crawl space)? 

• Is a furnace allowed in a bedroom, bathroom, or an adjoining closet?How do you test a shower pan for leaks?
 
• Does a half bathroom (no shower or tub) require an exhaust fan?

• Is a shower pan leak test a required part of a home inspection? 

• Can I install a commercial (wall-mounted flushometer) toilet in my home?

• What are the ventilation requirements for bathrooms and kitchens in mobile homes?

• Can a bathroom exhaust fan dump air (discharge/terminate) in the attic?

• What are the requirements for bathroom ventilation?  

• How can I check to see if my bathroom exhaust fan is actually working and moving air? 

• My bathroom is stinky and humid even though it has an exhaust fan. What can I do to fix it?

• Why is there a GFCI breaker in the electric panel for the bathroom shower light and exhaust fan?

• My bathroom electric receptacle/outlet is dead and there are no tripped breakers in the electric panel. What's wrong?  

• Why is there no bathroom electric receptacle in this old house?

• Can you install a gas water heater in a bathroom?

• What is the minimum size of a shower? 

• Does a bathroom exhaust fan need to be GFCI protected by code? 

• Does a shower light need to be GFCI protected by code?

• How much space is necessary for a toilet between a vanity and shower? 

• Does a home inspector check bathroom exhaust fans? 

• What is the code minimum clearance in front of a toilet?

   Visit our BATHROOMS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.