Codes & Standards

Glazing for Seismic Events

Engineers and architects follow code requirements for the structural performance of buildings in seismic zones. Glass and glazing can be designed as non-structural components installed in buildings in seismic-prone areas.

IECC 2024 and Its Implications for Vertical Fenestration

Changes are in store for the updated International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Revisions for air leakage on the building envelope, and significant changes to U-factors in zones 3-4 are in store, with special implications for vertical fenestration.

NGA Codes Report: 7 Need-to-Know Updates

NGA code experts Urmilla Sowell and Tom Culp gave a comprehensive rundown of developing codes and standards in North America. The session, originally presented at the 2023 GlassBuild Main Stage, gave updates and insights on Energy Star 7.0, bird-friendly glass, energy efficiency and EPD production…

Heat-Treated Glass Surfaces are Different

In this Glass Informational Bulletin, learn how heat-treated glass is a critical component of high-performance coated, insulating, laminated, spandrel, safety glazing, bullet-resistant, blast-resistant and hurricane-resistant fenestration products. As usage has increased in recent years, so has the…

Third-party Standards Mitigation

Technical questions of standards copyright can have project-specific impacts for designers, architects and trades.

Check the spec to ensure anodize finishes deliver durability

Anodize finishes for aluminum can offer durability and hardness that is similar to a diamond. To use them effectively, understand the specifications and the difference between anodize and other coatings.

Resources for Glass and Glazing Professionals

The National Glass Association has published 80+ Glass Technical Papers (GTPs), covering all aspects of glass and glazing building products. These resources are made possible by the time and commitment of industry volunteers, code experts and NGA staff. 

Understanding force requirements and ADA accessibility for windows

The Americans with Disabilities Act is civil rights law, not a building code or test method. Because of this, there are key considerations for designing to ADA, and testing systems to be ADA-capable.

Staying current with energy codes?

Increasingly stringent energy codes are pushing innovation in the fenestration industry. It benefits industry members to know about the codes governing the areas they work in so they can provide specification support to design teams.

FGIA Fall Conference Offers Updates on Energy Star 7.0, Product Certifications, Codes, and More

Attendees of the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance 2023 Fall Conference gathered at The Westin Westminster outside of Denver last week for three days of task group and committee meetings, industry-wide updates, networking and more.

Reflections on Mirror

The technical services team of the National Glass Association maintains the NGA Codes & Standards Help Center to provide general guidance to its member community. The following is a compilation of inquiries about flat glass mirror. 

NGA’s Newest Manual Announced at NGA Glass Conference in Tacoma

At the NGA Glass Conference: Tacoma, taking place July 25-July 27, NGA announced the addition of a new technical manual, the Frameless Shower Enclosure Design and Installation Manual, to its library of resources.

NGA Publishes New Technical Paper on Energy Conservation Codes

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.

Pros and Cons of Envelope Backstops

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.

Triple Glazing and Embodied Energy

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.

Safe + Beautiful + Frameless

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.

Proposed Energy Star Standards Further Help Glass Upgrades Pay For Themselves, Says EPA Analyst

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…

What Comes After the Champlain Tower Collapse?

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?

FGIA Releases Updated Certification Document

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.

FGIA Collaborates on Florida Sea Turtle-Friendly Glass Design

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…

FGIA Releases Updated Document Covering Methods of Test for Multi-bar Hinges in Windows

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.

Walker Glass Leaders Discuss Top Trends

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,…

California Adopts 2022 Energy Code

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.

Updated Guide to the Glass & Glazing Requirements

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

International Code Council Annual Conference

International Code Council Annual Conference

How to Determine the Fire Rating 

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…

ASTM International Releases New Standard for Laminated Glass Products

An Analytical Alternative to Commercial Window Testing

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.

UL Seminar Explains CSA Standard for High Exposure Fenestration Installation

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.

Code Q&A | Glass railings & guards

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…

4 code and regulatory takeaways from the NGA Glass Conference

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. 

Code Q&A

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

Code Q&A

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 Rise of Mass Timber

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?

Wired Glass

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

Time to Adopt New Technology

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…

Envelope Backstops in the Energy Codes 

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…

Code Watch

Challenges and Opportunities in the Battle for the Wall

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?

Curtain Wall Design Loads

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…

Did NYC’s Mayor Really Announce a Ban on Glass Buildings?

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…

Fired Up: Sorting Through the Green Building Maze

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…

The Professional Services Perspective: Industry Potpourri

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…

Understanding Acoustic Ratings in an Evolving Market

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…

Breaking it Down: What you need to know about Florida code changes

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.…

2018 Codes Clarify Deflection Limits for Glass Wall Systems

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…

International Code Requirements 2017 For Commercial Glazing Systems

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…

Demystifying ADA Compliant Entrances

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,…

Code Conflict in Florida

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,…