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GANAPerspectives
Course Work
GANA Has Much to Offer Architects
by Brian K. Pitman
In the construction industry as a whole, much of the focus
of the industry is on providing top-notch products that meet or beat existing
standards of design, including energy efficiency, performance and the
aesthetics of the day. The main beneficiary of this focus is the architect,
who must balance knowledge of thousands of products, the desires of the
building owner, the needs of the general contractor, and his own internal
desires to create a perfect structure that performs amazingly while setting
a new standard for aesthetic and functional design.
The Glass Association of North America (GANA) has been a registered provider
of American Institute of Architect (AIA) accredited presentations for
more than seven years. GANA currently has six presentations for the architect
that can be provided in the firm as a live, in-person presentation or
online.
GANA Offerings
Glass in Today’s Architecture was developed by members of the GANA Flat
Glass Manufacturing Division (FGMD) and is a study of the manufacturing
process for float glass, various types and applications for the product,
along with a list of benefits for architectural use. Over the period of
an hour, the presentation educates the architect about the flat glass
manufacturing, glass substrates (types) and common sizes available, the
primary glass fabrication processes (such as tempering, laminating, etc.),
glass performance terminology, the many applications and uses of architectural
flat glass, benefits of use and an outline of the
many industry resources available to the architect.
"GANA has been a registered provider
of American Institute of Architect (AIA) accredited presentations
for more than seven years."
Coated Glass also was developed by the GANA FGMD and is a study
of the manufacturing process for coatings on glass, the performance values
and a case study on cost savings. It educates the architect on why glass
is coated in the first place, glass surface terminology, and coatings
for optical and solar performance; helps the architect understand solar
and thermal performance and common terminology, the cost savings achieved
using coated glass, surface modifying coatings and the different coating
processes; and reviews other uses of coated glass.
Fire-Rated Glazing Today was developed by GANA’s Fire-Rated Glazing
Council and is a study of the manufacturing process for fire-rated glazing.
It offers the architect an overview of fire-rated glazing products and
technologies, fire protection requirements, common terminology used, the
primary product types, key considerations for specifying a product, and
future developments in the industry. Many architects request this one
due to the increased usage of fire-rated glazing products for performance
in new projects.
Laminated Glass 101 was developed by the GANA Laminating Division.
This presentation is a study of the manufacturing process for laminated
glass. It offers the architect answers as to what laminated glass is,
how it is made, and the numerous performance opportunities it provides.
It also discusses detailed advanced features of laminated glass.
Protective Glazing 101 was developed by the GANA Protective Glazing
Council and focuses on understanding threats to glazing in buildings (ballistic,
forced entry, burglar-resistant and natural disasters, including hurricanes
and earthquake, bomb-blast, fire); defining test methods and standards;
selecting glazing for product specifications; and defining glazing products
and their performance and characteristics (all glass laminates, glass-clad
polycarbonate, laminated polycarbonate and acrylics).
Introduction to Decorative Glazing, probably our most popular
presentation, was created by the GANA Decorative Division. This two-hour
health, safety and welfare (HSW) credit course discusses definitions of
different types of decorative glass, various design and application possibilities
using decorative glass, how the different types of decorative glass are
made and tips on specifying different types of decorative glass.
Visit GANA’s website at www.glasswebsite.com
to learn more about the presentations.
Brian K. Pitman is the director of marketing and
communications for the Glass Association of North America (GANA).
USG
© Copyright 2012 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.
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