Now, manufacturers have one standard, one test and one certification protocol to adhere to, rather than trying to decide which of several to follow.
Quality Assurance Program and Quality Control Records
As a participant in good standing, IG manufacturers must maintain an in-house quality assurance program and detailed quality control records. These records are reviewed and verified during the unannounced, semi-annual compliance audit.
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Why Certify to IGMA's Certification Program for the ASTM E 2190? IGMA has researched other certification programs plus analyzed industry data from IGMAC to offer a premier certification program which provides the following value-added service and support, including:
- The most stringent quality control requirements of all other program offerings, incorporating 16 of the 20 quality assurance items required for ISO 9000 certification.
- Initial gas fill certification program requirements.
- A formal appeals process, which other programs do not have.
- A formal auditor-training program.
- Technical educational seminars and active promotion of leading edge research dedicated to improving the durability and performance of insulating glass units.
- Three industry publications supporting insulating glass manufacturers: theInsulating Manufacturing Quality Procedures Manual and, the Preventing IG Failure
Manual and theNorth American Glazing Guidelines For Sealed Insulating Glass Units For Commercial and Residential Use.
- IGMA only accepts laboratories who have third−party accreditation to ISO 17025,
Calibration and Testing Laboratories.
- IGMA's program administrators inspect each laboratory facility to ensure compliance to ASTM E 2188, E 2189 and E 2190 standards.
All IGMA certified product lines are identified by a permanent mark on the inside of the insulating glass unit bearing the IGMA trademark, identification of the manufacturer, the plant location and the year of manufacture. |
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IGMA's quality assurance program is based on the IGMA technical manual, TM-4000-02, Insulating Glass Manufacturing Quality Procedures Manual, which contains 16 of the 20 elements required for ISO 9000 certification. IG manufacturers are required to maintain a quality assurance program, properly documented with corrective actions on all components of their insulating glass unit construction such as the glass, spacer, sealant systems, desiccant, gas fill and on all finished products prior to shipping to the customer. Failure to comply in this area is grounds for de-certification.
Certified and tested insulating glass units are the products that have been developed to perform as expected in the field, and that's just the architects, specifiers and users want.
IGMA, the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, was formed as the result of the merger of IGMAC (Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association of Canada) and SIGMA (Sealed Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association) in October 2000 to establish and advance insulating glass technologies and quality processes in order to create a standard of excellence that provides value to the insulating glass industry. IGMA administers a voluntary certification program for insulating glass units. For more information, telephone 613-233-1510 or visitwww.igmaonline.org.
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IGMA is an ISO 9000:2000 registered organization, a registered Standards Development Organization (SDO) and the North American association of certified insulating glass manufacturers, suppliers of component material and other industry-related professionals dedicated to upgrading product performance in both the residential and commercial sectors through the development of industry technical publications, undertaking leading edge research on new methodologies and promoting awareness of technological developments in the industry. IGMA is the consummate technical authority on insulating glass. |
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