Top building products for April 2024

Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.

This white paper provides readers with a solid understanding of fire rated glass (FRG) based on the two types of FRG recognized in the IBC – fire protective and fire resistive glazing. The discussion includes the advancement of FRG from traditional wire glass to technologically advanced clear solutions, recent code changes, the updated 2012 IBC Chapter 7 Tables outlining the requirements for FRG applications, and fire-rated framing considerations. The white paper is intended to give readers the ability to specify the correct, code-approved FRG product for particular applications based on the most up-to-date version of the IBC.

Learning objectives After reading this article, you should be able to: Understand issues of thermal performance and energy efficiency in relation to window and door systems; describe optimal detailing of the window-wall interface and how it contributes to building performance, sustainability, and occupant well-being; understand how durability contributes to sustainable windows/doors; and list sustainable O&M requirements for window and door systems.

SAFTI FIRST is hosting the Architectural Summit on Thursday, June 2 at the W Hotel in New York City. The half-day educational conference allows architects, specifiers and contract glaziers to learn about the latest advances in glazing technology and design. SAFTI FIRST, Wausau Window and Wall Systems, W&W Glass, LLC and Firestone/UNA-CLAD will each be presenting an AIA registered program.

SAFTI FIRST, manufacturer of fire rated glass and framing solutions, will debut its mySAFTI app, the first interactive design tool that takes the guesswork out of choosing the correct fire rated glass product, at the AIA National Convention in New Orleans, May 12-14. Visit booth1634.

As tornado season escalates and increased tornado activity has devastated parts of the Midwest and the South during he past few weeks, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has released a voluntary specification for testing and rating building components that will be exposed to tornados and similar extreme wind and rain conditions.

Migratory birds were flying into the windows and falling, dead or injured, to the foot of the LEED-Platinum FBI building in Chicago. The FBI building isn't the only LEED-certified structure to cause problems for migratory birds, however. Some of the more than 33,000 LEED-certified buildings in the U.S. use large amounts of glass to bring in natural light and save on energy—and all that glass can confuse birds.

Window and door systems need to perform. Respondents to our annual window and door survey overwhelmingly reported that performance, weather resistance, durability, and quality were key reasons a particular window or door was specified.