Winter 2004

Volume 18, Issue 2 Winter 2004

NEWS

ICC Releases 2004 Supplement to 2003 Codes; Adopts Labeling System for Fire-Rated Glazing

The International Code Council (ICC) has released the 2004 supplement to the 2003 International Codes. The supplement contains the latest developments in building regulations since the publication of the 2003 I-Codes.

According to a news release from the ICC, changes have affected the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code, International Fire Code and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), among others.

Following publication of the 2003 I-Codes, the ICC called for code change proposals to begin the next I-Code development cycle. Staff compiled the proposals into a monograph of proposed changes, convened code development hearings and then published the report of the public hearings. Public comments on those hearings were published in the final action agenda before the final action hearings.

The 2004 supplement contains the changes submitted in the 2003/2004 code development cycle that were approved by the voting membership of the ICC.

The following changes to the IBC deal with glass and glazing:
    • FS15: Will re-organize the code sections related to fire-protected openings for clarity;
    • FS78 and FS80: Now require specific identification of fire-protection-rated glazing;
    • S84: Includes a complete revision of structural provisions to bring the code into agreement with ASTM E1300-02. The technical changes include a shift from 60 second, non-factored load charts to three-second charts (to be consistent with ASCE-7). Factor tables have been deleted from the code since they are included in ASTM E1300;
    • S86: Now includes a reference to laser labeling as an acceptable means of labeling glazing;
    • S88: The entire section regarding glass in floors and sidewalks has been removed. This means the prescribed design methodology that was contained in the code cannot be used in designing glass in floors and sidewalks; it means a more rigorous design method must be employed; and
    • S85: Limits the use of wired glass in all building structures in areas subject to human impact.

Regarding the IECC, EC31 was also approved. This code change establishes criteria for factory-assembled and site-built fenestration products and establishes climate zone criteria for U-factors in regards to these products.

In addition, the ICC has adopted a labeling system introduced by Pilkington that is designed to help building code officials recognize both performance characteristics and appropriate applications for any number of the new fire-rated glazing materials on the market.

According to the IBC, different performance characteristics for fire-rated glazing are specified depending on whether used as a wall, an opening in a wall or a door. These three criteria are the basis for Pilkington’s system.

    • If a glazing meets the fire, temperature rise and hose-stream testing specified in ASTM E119 for a fire-rated wall, glazing will be labeled with a “W,” followed by the time in minutes of its fire resistance;
    • If a glazing meets the fire and hose-stream testing specified in NFPA 257 for “opening” protectives, the glazing will be labeled with an “OH” for “opening and “hose-stream” tested, followed by the time in minutes of its fire-protection rating; and
    • If a glazing meets the fire-testing specified in NFPA 252 for a “door,” it is labeled with a “D.” Glazing used in fire doors, according to the release, “warrants a slightly more complicated label than other applications” for a couple of reasons. For one, 20-minute doors, including the glazings in them, do not need to meet the hose-stream test, when other protective openings do. Secondly, some doors limit temperature rises to 450 degrees Fahrenheit during the first 30 minutes of the fire test. Therefore, to address these requirements, the new labeling system also adds an “H” designation if the glazing in a door does meet the hose stream test or an “NH” if it does not. In addition, it adds a “T” if the glazing can meet the temperature rise limitation and an “NT” if it cannot. The time in minutes that the glazing is fire rated is also included on the label.

The labeling requirements are included as part of the 2003 IBC Supplement.
Info+ www.iccsafe.org or call 800/786-4452.

CSI Announces Availability of MasterFormat™ 2004
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) has announced the availability of its MasterFormat 2004 for commercial/institutional structures.

CSI says MasterFormat functions as the Dewey Decimal System for construction information, as data is divided into divisions, each of which is composed of sections. Additional divisions and more sections have been included in the 2004 edition. CSI says the expansion facilitates project delivery by enabling specifications to address advances that have happened in construction technology since the publishing of the previous version in 1995.

The soft-bound publication, which also includes a CD-ROM version, consists of the following:
    • Division numbers and section numbers and titles within each division;
    • An application guide;
    • Explanatory notes for each section number;
    • A keyword index; and
    • A transition matrix (available only on CD).

The sections that focus on glass and glazing are: 04 23 00, glass unit masonry; 08 32 00, sliding glass doors; 00 50 00, windows; and 08 80 00, glazing.

Some members of the glass industry, though, have voiced concerns regarding the 08 80 00 section; some feel the section is limited and does not fully address the numerous architectural glazing materials available.

In response to these concerns, the Glass Association of North America contacted Dennis J. Hall, AIA, managing principal of Hall Architects Inc. and chairperson of the MasterFormat expansion task team.

“One of the major changes to MasterFormat is a return to the concept of it as an organizational structure for construction practices, not products,” said Hall. “We are trying to eliminate pure products from the structure.”

He added that a new OmniClass Construction Classification System is being developed to serve as a product classification system.
Info+ www.csinet.org/masterformat or call 800/689-2900.

New Book Details Designing High-Performance Buildings
Window Systems for High-Performance Buildings, written by John Carmody, Stephen Selkowitz, Eleanor Lee, Dariush Arasteh and Todd Willmert, is a guide to designing energy-efficient buildings.

Sample chapters include basic issues in window design and selection, window materials and assemblies, a decision-making process for window design, window designs for offices in cold or hot climates, window design for schools, case studies, methodology for computer simulations, tools and resources and standards. The books also includes a glossary and reference section. It can be purchased in most major bookstores or online through www.amazon.com. List price is $50.
Info+ 212/790-4323.

CWI Works to Promote Energy-Efficient Glazing in the Northwest
The Commercial Windows Initiative (CWI) has announced it will be working with Cardinal Glass, Mikron Industries and Tecton Industries to promote its Step Up to the Plate 2004 campaign. CWI says this baseball-themed program will target the Northwest’s factory-built window manufacturers and assist them with their efforts in communicating the benefits of energy-efficient window products to the architectural community.

“Window manufacturers have a lot of product knowledge they could offer during the design process that would result in better performing commercial buildings,” said Gary Curtis, CWI project manager. “We’re using Step Up to the Plate 2004 to engage manufacturers with CWI and help them promote energy-efficient glazing to the design community in the Northwest.”
Info+ www.commercialwindowsinitiative.org or call 503/587-8528.

Board of Standards Review Approves ANSI Z97.1 Standard
After nine years of discussions, debates, controversy and multiple ballots and appeals, the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) Board of Standards Review has announced that ANSI Z97.1-2004, Glazing Materials Used in Buildings, Safety Performance Specifications and Methods of Test, a revision of ANSI Z97.1-1984 (R1994), has been approved. According to the Board of Standards Review, this final action will be published in an upcoming issue of Standards Action.

The development of the ANSI Z97.1 standard was often a hotly debated issue due primarily to concerns by some that the standard’s Class C exemption for wired glass should be removed. Under the exemption, wired glass could be classified as a safety glazing material.

The standard was last revised in 1984, re-approved in 1994 and has since been under committee review in an effort to update the document. The ANSI Z97.1 accredited standards committee on safety requirements for architectural glazing materials last met March 3, 2003, to discuss the voting results. While the proposal to eliminate the Class C exemption was heavily supported, it failed to earn the 2/3-majority vote necessary to pass. The ballot was appealed, but unanimously denied July 10, 2003, by an ANSI appeals panel.