Glass Tech

Knowledge Base
GANA Offers Variety of Tools for Architects

By Brian Pitman

Over the course of its 15-year existence, the Glass Association of North America (GANA) has developed an assortment of tools for the architectural community. These tools come in various formats, with the easiest being the more than two dozen Glass Informational Bulletins (GIB) available for free download from www.glasswebsite.com/techcenter. Each GIB covers a specific topic, ranging from a list of glass-related standards to design considerations for laminated glass applications.

For a more comprehensive approach, though, GANA offers several technical manuals. These manuals are priced nominally and created by teams of experts whose individual work focuses on the specific nature of each manual.

The most attractive facet of the manuals is that each provides the architectural community unbiased information. In the past year, many of these manuals have gone through significant revisions.

“Many have called the GANA Glazing Manual the “bible” of the industry, so great care
and time was taken to make sure the information within was as up-to-date as possible.”

Focusing on Sealants
The 2008 edition of the GANA Sealant Manual was released at the end of the last year and brings the industry current with the latest technologies and methodologies in sealants. Filled with all new color 3-D graphics, the Sealant Manual is an inexpensive way to become familiar with new abilities and features offered by the sealant industry—an integral part of glass-based commercial architecture that is so common in the world today.

The Industry “Bible”
The 50th anniversary edition of the GANA Glazing Manual is the most popular of the manuals. Prior to this edition, the GANA Glazing Manual was last published in 2004, and since then several new design concepts have entered the glass and glazing industry mainstream. Many have called the GANA Glazing Manual the “bible” of the industry, so great care and time was taken to ensure the information within was as up-to-date as possible.

In the 50 years since it was published, several technologies that have become commonplace are covered in the manual. These technologies include advanced tempering methods, laminated glazing applications, coatings design and properties, incredible advancements in thermal protection through insulating glazing units, spacer technologies and more. Decorative glazing applications have also increased in the past decade and new energy technologies, such as photovoltaic electricity generation, have started to expand our expectations of the glazing industry itself. Additionally, fire-resistant glazing has expanded into new applications, providing more protection in many areas.

A Reference on Laminated Glass
Finally, in 2009 the GANA Laminated Glazing Reference Manual was updated for the third time since it was first released in 2000—it had last been updated in 2006. With the changes in trends and further information development in the three years since it was last published, an update was needed. The task group worked for two years to pull together and verify the most current information.

As one of the association’s most successful publications, this manual covers a broad range of considerations for the application and specification of laminated glass in building construction and has sold more than 8,000 copies since its initial release.

The current manual presents general information, technical details, performance data and the installation guidelines for laminated glass products. The 2009 edition includes the latest information on laminating interlayers, as well as in-depth discussions on the numerous applications of laminated architectural glass including: safety, solar control, ultraviolet radiation, sound control, security, sloped glazing and skylights, wind storms and hurricane resistance, and earthquake resistance. The manual also includes a quick reference section on standards that apply to laminated glass.

To learn more about each of these valuable tools and how they can help your firm better itself and its design capabilities, visit our website at www.glasswebsite.com. AG

Brian Pitman is the director of marketing and communications for GANA in Topeka, Kan. Mr. Pitman’s opinions are solely his own and not necessarily those of this magazine.


Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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