As the International Year of Glass 2022 wrapped up, industry technical leaders at NGA Glass Conference: Miramar Beach in Miramar Beach, Florida, focused on the years ahead with two themes: advocacy for architectural glass as a sustainable material and the many ways it enhances occupant experience in buildings.
The three-day conference, held Jan. 24-26, included sessions on building security, daylighting and how light affects the development of human eye health, current and future IGU technology to meet and exceed increasing model energy code stringency and how architectural glass recycling can contribute to sustainability goals.
The NGA Advocacy, Forming and Fabricating Committees also met, and made progress on many of their current projects and resources under development.
Join your peers at the NGA Glass Conference: Tacoma, July 25 - 27, 2023 for the next meeting of NGA’s Forming, Fabricating and Advocacy committees.
Committee Updates
NGA Forming Committee
The Forming Committee gave updates on several sustainability initiatives, including a presentation on impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on EPDs for primary and fabricated glass. Global warming potential limits set by the Buy Clean California Act as well as draft limits set by the General Services Administration (GSA) were reviewed. NGA will continue to work with stakeholders on these initiatives and will submit feedback to the GSA on the implementation of low embodied carbon materials in construction and renovation projects.
NGA Advocacy Committee
NGA responded to several requests for public comment in 2022, including to the Texas Education Agency on school building security, the IRS request for comments on the Definition of Electrochromic Glass for the Inflation Reduction Act, the GSA request on low-carbon materials, and the DOE request for input on Funding for Cost-Effective Implementation of Updated Building Energy Codes, which also addresses workforce development. Ad hoc strike force teams were formed to help with quick responses to future requests for public comment. Read NGA’s responses.
The Inflation Reduction Act tax credits allocated for infrastructure energy-efficiency initiatives were reviewed. The Luke and Alex School Safety Act (LASSA), part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, has not announced any activity since it was made public law. A follow-up inquiry letter was sent from NGA in November 2022.
A new NGA task group was formed to develop resources on feasibility and barriers to recycling architectural glass. A new one-page document on High Occupancy Building Security will be developed for legislators, expanding on the existing School Security one-pager.
Committee members discussed plans for NGA Advocacy Days, March 27- 28, 2023, in Washington, DC. NGA is organizing a “fly-in” to connect member companies with members of Congress, as well as representatives from the DOE and EPA, to make a positive connection for glass to legislators. Topics at the event will focus on sustainability and school security, with an emphasis on workforce development and job creation.
NGA Fabricating Committee
NGA’s GANA Glazing Manual IYOG edition was published in December 2022 featuring a multitude of updates from the previous version published in 2008. The NGA Glossary of Architectural Glass & Glazing is available as a free download for NGA members through February 2023. The Physiological Impacts of Light on Human Health & the Implications of Glazing task group gave updates on the research showing the importance of daylight on children’s eye development.
Fire-Rated Glazing
Reviewing a new technical paper on the additional challenges faced by fire-rated glazing beyond fire resistance and fire protection.
Discussed International Code Council (ICC) definitions for the components of means of egress in multi-floor buildings, and how that impacts fire rating requirements and lockdown procedures during active shooter events.
Laminated Glazing
- Task group working to update the NGA Laminated Glazing Reference Manual.
- Discussed how environmental factors can contribute to the appearance of haze in laminated glass, and if existing standards sufficiently cover this topic, or if new resources should be developed to address it.
Protective Glazing
- Presented Implementation of the new ASTM F3561 test method - the Test Lab perspective on how the new active shooter test method is working so far and reviewed potential updates to enhance the clarity and safety components of the test method. The ICC has accepted proposed language related to security, which is a significant step toward safer buildings. The ICC Ad Hoc Building Safety and Security Committee issued a Final Report in which glass is identified as a critical component to allow occupants to see the threat approaching. The use of glass must be carefully planned in high-risk areas such as entrances to help keep the approaching threat out of the building while allowing first responders into the building.
- A new task group was formed to review school security and safety items to determine what to share with NGA’s Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC) to advocate for on behalf of the membership at the code hearings.
- Task groups will begin reviewing drafts for new AIA presentations on school security and bird-friendly buildings.
Tempering
- Featured a presentation on glass spandrel strength. Recent activity at ASTM Committee C14 on Glass and Glass Products was reviewed.
- ASTM C162 Standard Terminology of Glass and Glass Products has been harmonized with industry terminology and is going to ballot with a full update.
- Watch for a new edition of ASTM E1300 Standard Practice for Determining Load Resistance of Glass in Buildings this year.
- ASTM C1349 Standard Specification for Architectural Flat Glass Clad Polycarbonate is seeking volunteers.
- Discussed open issues in revising the NGA Glass Technical Paper (GTP) Heat Soak Testing of Tempered Glass for Architectural Applications.
- A proposal was reviewed for testing and calculations to determine if edge grinding following tempering reduces glass strength.
- Discussed how to better promote the NGA and joint NGA/IWCA resources cautioning against cleaning heat-treated glass with a razor blade, which can scratch the glass.
Mirror
Working on a new Mirror Reference Manual, which will cover types of mirrors, fabrication, handling, storage, installing, cleaning, recyclability, sustainability, and the potential for LEED credits.
Decorative
- Continues to compile resources towards publication of a new Decorative Glazing Reference Manual.
- Task groups are working on the GTP, Defining and Industry Acceptable Color Variance, and updating the LEED White Paper – Decorative to reflect LEED v4.1.
- A new task group was formed to develop guidelines for the quality of digitally printed glass and best practices for digital printing.
Energy
- Seeking additional volunteers to test and help shape the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) as a tool for benchmarking sustainability data. The framework for curtainwall and storefront systems is in progress.
- The Processed Glass PCR has been extended to December 2023. NGA and FGIA are seeking a new program operator to update the PCR before the end of 2023. The Windows PCR is a joint effort between NGA, FGIA and WDMA. The groups are considering a proposal to rename and rewrite it as a Fenestration PCR.
- Task groups will begin reviewing two new draft AIA presentations on the topics of Daylighting and Thermal Comfort. NGA continues to update a Daylighting webpage, highlighting the health and wellness benefits of daylighting.
Insulating
- Ready to publish Compatibility Testing of Insulating Glass PIB Primary Sealant with Respect to Glazing Materials, a joint technical paper with FGIA.
- Task groups continue to edit GTPs on Secondary Sealants in IGUs, Guidelines for the Appearance of IGU Edges and NGA/FGIA Guidelines for Use of Capillary Tubes.
Installing Committee
- Coordinating with MasterSpec to update the Division 08 section Specifications. The task group is currently reviewing the Decorative glass specification. There will be a peer review of the completed suggested edits to Security Glazing and Mirror.
- The Frameless Shower Enclosures task group has combined design and installation topics into a new reference manual. The draft manual will undergo peer review prior to publication.
- The Value Engineering task group is discussing ways to overcome challenges in implementing new high-performance glazing products. Project tiers and stakeholders have been identified with some ideas that may assist the different stakeholders at each project tier. These initiatives are examples of bridging the work efforts between the Forming, Fabricating, Advocacy, and Installing Committees to ensure the entire supply chain is reflected in the resources created.