Laminated glazing will be permitted as an equal alternate to pickets, if tested by an accredited laboratory to satisfy the resistance requirements of this code for wind, live and kinetic energy impact loading conditions. The kinetic energy impact loading shall comply with ANSI Z97.1 using a 400 foot-pound (542 N) energy impact. The safety requirements of the impact test shall be judged to have been satisfactorily met if breakage does not occur or numerous cracks and fissures occur but no shear or opening through which a 3-inch (76 mm) diameter sphere may freely pass. The glass panel shall remain within the supporting frame.
If the posts that support the top rail of exterior railings are substituted with glass, the assembly shall be tested to TAS 201, where the impacted glass continues to support the top rail and all applicable loads after impact.