Illuminating Spaces
1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 IDCEC CEU/HSW; 0.1 ICC CEU; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 AIBD P-CE; AAA 1 Structured Learning Hour; This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines; AAPEI 1 Structured Learning Hour; This course can be self-reported to the AIBC, as per their CE Guidelines.; MAA 1 Structured Learning Hour; This course can be self-reported to the NLAA.; This course can be self-reported to the NSAA; NWTAA 1 Structured Learning Hour; OAA 1 Learning Hour; SAA 1 Hour of Core Learning
Learning Objectives:
- List some of the mental health benefits daylighting can provide.
- Explain why the use of glass and glazing products is important to consider in the design phase.
- Describe protective glass products and how they might impact occupant mental health.
- Discuss the ways in which glazing can maximize views and support mental well-being.
This course is part of the Glass and Glazing Design Academy
Glare Control Standards
When it comes to architectural glazing, glare control is an essential aspect to ensure occupant comfort, productivity, and safety. Glare can be caused by excessive brightness or contrast in the visual field, leading to discomfort, eyestrain, and reduced visibility. Various standards and guidelines exist to address glare control in architectural glazing.
International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) WELL Building Standard: This performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being includes criteria for glare control to create comfortable and productive spaces.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating Systems includes prerequisites and credits that address glare control as part of the overall sustainable building design.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) joint publication RP-1, "Recommended Practice for Daylighting Buildings," offers guidance on the design and use of daylight in buildings, including strategies for glare control.
These standards and guidelines often recommend specific glazing properties, such as visible light transmittance (VLT), shading coefficients, and solar heat gain coefficients, which can help control glare while still allowing sufficient natural light into the building.
Thermal Comfort Standards
Thermal comfort standards for architectural glazing are essential to ensure that the glazing systems used in buildings provide a comfortable indoor environment for occupants, taking into account factors such as temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiant heat.
ASHRAE 55 is one of the most widely recognized standards for thermal comfort in buildings. It provides both thermal comfort criteria and methods for calculating indoor thermal environmental conditions. The standard specifies acceptable temperature ranges and other factors like air speed, humidity, and clothing insulation for various types of spaces.
ISO 7730 is similar to ASHRAE 55 and provides guidance on the determination of thermal comfort requirements for different types of occupants and activities. It takes into account factors like air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air speed, humidity, and clothing insulation to assess thermal comfort conditions.
LEED includes prerequisites and credits that address thermal comfort in buildings, and this can indirectly influence glazing design decisions. The LEED credit for thermal comfort also references the ASHRAE 55 standard.
These standards and guidelines often specify acceptable temperature ranges, thermal transmittance (U-value), solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), shading coefficients, and glazing properties to ensure the glazing systems contribute positively to thermal comfort. Proper glazing selection, orientation, and the use of shading devices can significantly impact the indoor thermal environment and occupants' comfort levels. It's crucial for architects and designers to consider these standards when integrating glazing systems into building design to achieve optimal thermal comfort for the occupants.
Security Standards
The new ASTM F3561 standard was recently assembled by members of the National Glass Association in coordination with ASTM International for specifiers looking to utilize the latest in glazing security solutions for schools and other buildings facing active shooter threats. The increase of school shootings in both frequency and severity in recent years led NGA to recognize the need for a relevant, accurate international standard to protect entrance to facilities from intruders through locked fenestration in response to this increase. The NGA assembled a School Security task group charged with reviewing the current referenceable standards for school security testing. They identified several gaps in the testing standards including repeatable, mode-driven, and consensus-based fenestration test methods. These gaps included tests for system-weakening and forced entry assaults.
The new consensus-based standard, “ASTM F3561 Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Simulated Active Shooter Attack,” was officially announced in July 2022. Created through ASTM International F12 Security Systems and Equipment Committee, the new standard underwent a thorough review by ASTM International and was approved for publication on August 1, 2022. It now serves as the benchmark testing standard for forced entry-resistant doors and windows.
SOURCES
“What Florence Nightingale Can Teach Us about Architecture and Health”.
“The Economics of Biophilia: Why Designing with Nature in Mind Makes Financial Sense”: Terrapin Bright Green LLC, 2012.
“Visual Delight in Architecture", by Lisa Heschong available through Routledge.
“LISA HESCHONG SHARES DATA ABOUT DAYLIGHTING AND WINDOW VIEWS".
Erika Fredrickson is a writer/editor focusing on technology, environment, and history. She frequently contributes to continuing education courses and publications through Confluence Communications. www.confluencec.com