In tempered glass removal, where is the initial strike directed?

• A. Lower corner
• B. Upper corner
• C. Center
• D. Edge

Answer: (A)

Initiating break in tempered glass from a corner gives you the most controllable fracture pattern and keeps the falling shards away from the firefighter team. tempered glass, when struck, will shatter, but where you strike determines how the cracks propagate. Starting at a corner—specifically the lower corner—helps direct the cracks along predictable paths as gravity pulls the resulting fragments downward and outward. This makes it easier to remove a panel as a unit or in large, manageable pieces while minimizing the risk of sharp shards tumbling toward you or others.

If you strike the center or an edge, the cracking can become less predictable, with shards flying in multiple directions or relocating toward the opening area, increasing the danger. Striking an upper corner can also place fragments in paths that may trap or reorient toward responders due to gravity. By targeting the lower corner, you set up a safer, more controllable removal sequence.