Since its creation in the early 1990s, the Glass Association of North America (GANA) has focused primarily on technical issues facing manufacturers, fabricators and installers in the glass and glazing industry. That focus has resulted in a wide variety of beneficial developments for the industry as a whole, as well as for the increasing number of association members. As the industry’s needs continue to increase, GANA is working hard to meet those challenges. One step we have made toward reaching that goal is the addition of a new technical staff member, Urmilla Sowell, who is our new assistant technical director. Sowell will be working with our technical director Greg Carney, and under their technical leadership we expect to see even greater progress from our committees and task groups over the next 18 months.

More Information
GANA has developed 13 informational bulletins in the past three years, and we expect to double that number by the end of 2008. Some of the new bulletins that will be offered as a free download on our website include:

Bullet-Resistant Glazing: This bulletin will focus on the environment for bullet-resistant glazing in the United States, with information on the current testing standards, certifications and test reports available to manufacturers and specifiers in this specialized industry.

Describing Architectural Glass Constructions: This bulletin will offer guidelines on the proper terminology used when specifying or ordering glass. This bulletin will offer common ground for specifiers and fabricators so that both parties easily understand the ordering process.

The Importance of Fabrication Prior to Heat-Treatment: This bulletin will describe the heat-treatment process, emphasizing that any additional fabrication to the glass (such as edge deletion, sandblasting, polishing, etc.) should be done prior to heat-treatment.

Glass Floors and Stairs: This bulletin covers several aspects of using glass as a flooring substrate, including slippage, maintenance, etc. 

More Education
GANA developed a ball drop test method two years ago, and by the end of 2008 we will have developed the Standard Specification for Ball Drop Impact Resistance of Laminated Architectural Flat Glass, which offers a more comprehensive approach to using the ball drop test method. Our goal will be to promote this as a viable specification to the glass and glazing industry for standardized results. 

GANA also has been educating architects about architectural flat glass with its own AIA-accredited presentation. By the end of 2008 we will have added at least two more presentations to that list. We are currently developing four separate presentations, and eventually will have an arsenal of educational products for architects available through certain GANA members or the GANA website. Additionally, we are in the process of updating several of our manuals, and in the next 18 months will release updated editions of the GANA (formerly FGMA) Sealant Manual, GANA Glazing Manual (which turns 50 next year) and the GANA Engineering Standards Manual.

Industry Interaction
The way GANA interacts with other organizations and entities in the industry also will be increasing thanks to the addition of Sowell to our staff. We have begun to focus more on LEED and “green” building design, and its impact on the glass and glazing industry. In the near future, we will offer further guidance and leadership in this field. Additionally, we have increased our monitoring of and participation in other organizations, such as the activities of the National Fenestration Rating Council and events such as the bi-annual Glass Performance Days. 

GANA’s commitment to the industry is unrivaled, and only increases as we progress through an exciting time in the glass and glazing industry’s evolution. We invite you and your company to join us in building these valuable tools and guidance, and in providing leadership for those who control the destiny of architectural glass. To learn more, please visit our website at www.glasswebsite.com. We look forward to working together with you. 

the author: Stanley L. Smith is the executive vice president of the Glass Association of North America based in Topeka, Kan. Mr. Smith’s opinions are solely his own and not necessarily those of this magazine.

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