Recent ICC Code Change Hearings 
Result in Glazing Industry Changes
Code change proposals for the 2007 International Codes supplement were heard May 21-26 in Rochester, N.Y. Nearly 100 proposals had implications for the glass and glazing industry, though more than half were either disapproved or withdrawn. The following listing highlights some of the approved code changes that will affect the glazing industry. 

International Building Code, Structural Committee
Proposal: S105 - Passed
Section: 2406.1.1
Proponent: Glazing Industry Code Committee
Part 1 (International Building Code [IBC]) of the proposal allows ANSI Z 97.1 to be used as an alternative to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) 16 CFR Part 1201 for impact testing. Part 2 of the proposal affects the International Residential Code (IRC) and allows the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) test to be used as an alternative for CPSC 16 CFR 1201.

Proposal: S106 - Passed
Section: 2406.2.1
Proponent: Glazing Industry Code Committee
Adds the ANSI Z97.1 test standard as an alternative to CPSC 16 CFR 1201 for applications such as multi-lite assemblies and gymnasiums/basketball courts. 

Proposal: S108 - Passed
Section: 2407.1.2
Proponent: Glazing Industry Code Committee
Adds an exception that says a top rail is not required in applications where the glass balusters are laminated glass with two or more glass plies of equal thickness and the same glass type. 

International Building Code, Fire Safety Committee
Proposal: FS10
Proponent: UL
Allows the fire-resistance rating of building elements to be determined in accordance with UL 263 as an alternative to the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) E 119 test procedures.

Proposal: FS36 - Passed
Section: 706.2.1Proponent: Fire Rated Glazing Industry Consortium (FRGIC)
Moves fire-resistance rating provisions from the fire barrier section to the section of the code where fire-resistance ratings and tests are covered.

Proposal: FS113 - Passed
Section: 715.4.6.1
Proponent: SAFTI First
Changes references from wired glass to fire-protective glass for fire door applications.

Proposal: FS118 – Passed 
Section: 715.4.6.4
Proponent: FRGIC
Code change places fire-rated safety glazing into two sections: doors and windows.

Laminated Glass Video Developed
The Glass Association of North America (GANA) has released a new video at its official website, www.glasswebsite.com/video, produced by the GANA Laminating Division, that gives an overview on the creation of laminated glass using polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as the interlayer.

“This video, our third for the organization, gives viewers a detailed look at just how PVB-based laminated glass is fabricated,” said Brian Pitman, director of marketing and communications for GANA. The Laminating Division is currently considering the possibility of creating multiple laminated glass videos using additional interlayer technologies, such as resin and polycarbonate materials.

“Our response to these ‘How Made’ videos has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Stanley L. Smith, executive vice president of GANA.  “Not only are we helping designers, architects and the general public learn about glass manufacturing and fabricating processes, but we are also educating our members about different processes with which they may not be intimately familiar.”

The other videos on the website feature the creation of flat glass using the float glass process, as well as the creation of mirror.  Visitors to GANA’s website may view all three videos at no charge.

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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