Glass Expo Northeast™ ’19 Seminar Spotlight: Hurricane Code Considerations

The Glass Expo Northeast™ (GENE) ’19 educational program offers top subject matter designed by experts in the glass industry. This year’s session can help you learn how to bring in big business.

Valerie Block, CDT, LEED AP is currently an architectural marketing consultant for the PVB Division of Kuraray America, and will discuss “Hurricane Code Considerations.” This seminar will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, N.Y.

Wind-borne debris protection is a building code requirement in many coastal areas prone to hurricanes as a means of protecting people and property during a storm. In those areas, impact-resistant glazing is part of the door or window system. Failure to protect openings can result in interior damage, business interruption and potential mold problems. The worst case scenario is a build-up of internal pressure leading to catastrophic building failure. This session covers industry standards, including the ASTM E1886 Test Method and the ASTM E1996 Specification, and test requirements based on wind zone and type of protection required (basic vs. enhanced). Laminated glass interlayers are an important part of the glazing design. This session will explain that besides providing impact resistance, hurricane glazing systems comply with building code energy performance requirements, and offer other security benefits.

Block works with architects and specifiers, structural engineers, façade consultants and glass fabricators on the specification, design and use of laminated glass in buildings. Before joining Kuraray three years ago, she was a senior marketing specialist with DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions, located in Wilmington, Del.

Block has chaired the Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC) and has many years of experience in the building code arena. In addition to GICC, she participates on numerous industry and standards committees, including ASTM International, ISO and the Canadian Standards Association. She has served as a board member of the Glass Association of North America, where she chaired the Laminating Division. A frequent speaker and author of articles about the use of glass in buildings, Block brings more than 30 years of experience in the glass and glazing industry. She holds masters degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania.

For the most up-to-date information on GENE, please visit www.usglassmag.com/gene. If you have yet to register for the event, you can do so by clicking here.

Glass Expo Northeast ’19 is co-sponsored by the Long Island Glass Association (LIGA), USGlass magazine, USGNN.com™ and Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metal.