Codes & Standards

Alignment in U.S. Energy Conservation Codes: ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC provides information on the codes’ use as national model codes, and their compliance paths for both new and existing commercial and residential buildings.

Backstops place caps on what can be “traded off” to meet performance requirements, thus necessitating a minimum level of envelope performance no matter what else is done to improve whole-building performance. The implications are significant for the glass and glazing industry.

As both national and local groups look for solutions to address climate change, decarbonize the buildings segment and greatly increase energy efficiency, it is clear that high-performance fenestration has an important role to play.

Design considerations for frameless shower enclosures including doors and fixed panels, dimensional tolerances and limitations, hardware and structural support, visual quality expectations, and cleaning and maintenance guidelines.

EPA analyst Doug Anderson spoke in March to FGIA conference in-person and virtual attendees about the thinking and evidence behind the agency's draft 2 of the proposed Energy Star 7.0 standards for architectural glass and window and door construction. Public comments on draft 2 specifications…

As changes following the Champlain Towers collapse are considered, other changes to our building codes should also be considered. Should post‐occupancy inspections of buildings include windows?

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance released an updated certification document describing recommendations for compliance with minimum Quality Management System requirements for AAMA Certification Programs Licensees.

Participants at the 2021 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance Hybrid Fall Conference heard an update on a collaboration between FGIA and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officials to help meet the needs of both nesting sea turtles along coastal property and the humans who build and reside…

AAMA 904-21, Specification for Multi-Bar Hinges in Window Applications, an FGIA document, is now available for purchase. It was last updated in 2014.

Earlier this month, I hopped on a video call with Charles Alexander and Danik Dancause of Walker Glass to get their take on the current state of the industry and leading trends. Alexander, who is the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, and Dancause, marketing operations manager,…

Overall, the new version of Title 24 will make significant advancement towards the state’s energy efficiency and climate change goals, while also meeting their cost effectiveness requirements.

NGA has released an updated version of its long-standing resource, the Guide to the Glass & Glazing Requirements of the Model Building Codes.

Building codes require specific building components to have a fire rating. The fire rating can vary from 20 minutes to 4 hours. These requirements have a direct effect on windows and doors installed within a building, as there are specific limitations on glazing in fire-rated…

By providing guidelines for applying loading forces based on the geometry and number of supported panes of the window and door, these rules can also assist manufacturers in the product design effort.

Robert Jutras, principal engineer at UL led a sponsored session called "The New Canadian High Exposure Fenestration Installation Standard CSA A440.6:20, Explained" during the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance Virtual Annual Conference.

The requirements for glass railings and guards have evolved over the past several building code cycles, and the 2021 International Building Code further clarifies the requirements with defined terms. Use these FAQs to navigate the changing requirements as states and local jurisdictions adopt new…

The National Glass Association held its winter NGA Glass Conference Feb. 9. At the top of the agenda for the virtual meeting: new energy and environmental codes and regulations that will impact the glass industry, driving product trends and asking more from companies. 

NGA's advocacy and technical team answers your questions about safety glazing.

During the NGA Glass Conference, held virtually July 28-30, the National Glass Association advocacy and technical team responded to frequently asked questions about glass performance, notable code updates, bird-glass requirements and more. Below are highlights from the sessions. 

The 2021 building code is set to allow mass timber buildings up to 18 stories high. What are the fire, seismic and structural performance considerations?

This article presents information to help companies navigate the regulations governing how, when and where wired glass may properly be used. 

Commercial glass and glazing professionals must be continuously adapting, utilizing these technologies to meet evolving demands. Depending on a company’s role in the industry, doing so might require reengineering glass packages, swapping in new higher-performance component parts, or learning new…

A new type of requirement is coming in the latest energy codes that places limits on what can be “traded off” to meet performance requirements. Calls for envelope backstops will require a minimum level of envelope performance no matter what else is done in the building. The…

Between 2010-2014, the industry successfully fought off attempts to significantly reduce the amount of window area prescriptively allowed in the building standards, which many called “The Battle for the Wall.” Five years later, how’s the battle going?

Butler Plaza, a Gold LEED building in Jacksonville, Florida, is an innovative example of a curtain wall used in an energy efficient design. Photo by Keymark. Key Curtain Wall Design Loads to Consider More information AAMA 508-14, Voluntary Test Method and Specification for Pressure…

Last week, the glass industry witnessed some jarring headlines coming out of New York City: "NYC’s ‘Green New Deal’ to ban glass, steel skyscrapers"; "De Blasio vows to ban glass and steel skyscrapers in NYC"; "NYC mayor wants to ban new glass skyscrapers to cut emissions". The news came out of…

Anyone want to take a guess at how many green product certifications there are in the world, like Cradle to Cradle or Environmental Product Declarations? I did a little digging to find out the answer after reading Glass Magazine’s March article on “The Green Building Maze.” As it turns out, there…

With the end of the year approaching, my final blog of 2018 is a collection of random thoughts and experiences. Hopefully some will resonate with you. Let’s discuss terms. I love the technical terms we use in our industry. “Chicken head” may be the best. Most of us know that term to define the…

As the construction market continues to flourish, acoustic performance is becoming a prominent consideration in the development of new and retrofit projects. The growth in population, urbanization and a thriving construction industry continue to drive the market forward. LEED specifications also…

It’s no secret in our industry that codes are ever-changing, particularly in Florida, where codes are revised every three years to clarify existing requirements and introduce new ones. The most recent changes went into effect Dec. 31, in accordance with the 6th Edition Florida Building Code.…

Summary: The 2018 International Building Codes clarify the deflection criteria to be used in the design of glass wall systems by adding reference to AAMA TIR-11 Maximum Allowable Deflection of Framing Systems for Building Cladding Components at Design Wind Loads. This article concludes…

The family of I-codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) is the most widely used in the history of U.S. construction codes. Townhouses, condominiums more than four stories high, and apartment buildings, hotels and motels are considered commercial buildings in these codes. The…

The UCLA Luskin Conference Center features multiple enhancements to optimize accessibility. Pictured is the CRL-U.S. Aluminum Balanced Doors with 10-inch ADA bottom rails and low energy power operators. According to the Americans with Disabilities 2010 report,…

Six months ago, the state of Florida enacted new energy codes, mandating that new building and renovation projects in commercial and residential applications meet requirements outlined in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, IECC. The updates to the energy codes led to disagreement,…