Codes & standards: A preview of the 2012 International Building Code for fenestration

Editor's note: In this issue, I would like to welcome industry code expert Julie Ruth as a regular contributor to Glass Magazine. In this recurring column, Ruth will examine code developments that are important to our industry, sharing her insight and technical knowledge. A special thank you also goes to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, Schaumburg, Ill., for their contribution. --JC

The 2012 editions of the International Building Code and International Energy Conservation Code will be available soon, with a target publication date of May 2011.

The purpose of publishing the 2012 editions in May 2011 is twofold. First, it is to correspond with Building Safety Month. Building Safety Month is observed by the International Code Council and its membership in May of every year as a reminder of the importance of building and fire safety. The second purpose is to give jurisdictions the opportunity to begin reviewing the next edition of these codes, and possibly begin the adoption process prior to their actual effective date of 2012.

Given the early publication of the 2012 IBC and IECC, it seems likely that we will begin to see enforcement of them in 2012, without the typical one-year lag time between publication and actual enforcement of a new edition of the International Codes.

To prepare for the potential early enforcement of some of the 2012 International Codes, this column provides a brief summary of the structural, labeling and egress requirements of the 2012 IBC for fenestration. For a summary of the requirements of the 2012 IECC for fenestration, visit www.windowanddoor.com.

What you can expect

One of the more significant changes between the 2009 IBC and the 2012 IBC actually occurs in a referenced standard. The 2012 IBC will reference the 2010 edition of ASCE 7 "Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures." The design wind speed maps of ASCE 7 will change dramatically from the 2007 edition to the 2010 edition. The maps are used to calculate the design wind pressure for your products.

The design wind speed maps in the 2010 edition of ASCE 7 will be based upon ultimate strength design. The previous maps were based upon allowable strength design.

It is important to note that this change should not require a change in the way we test windows and doors. There has been some confusion on this issue. What has changed is simply the method used to measure required performance.

Similar to having to address both English and metric units of measurement in our standard, this change might require our industry to engage in an education program to help builders, code officials, architects, etc., understand how to apply the two different systems of measurement. AAMA will be reviewing this in further detail over the next few months.

The 2012 IBC will require exterior windows and sliding doors to be tested and labeled for compliance with the 2011 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 "NAFS North American Fenestration Standard for Windows, Doors and Skylights." The label is to provide the name of the manufacturer, the product designation of the fenestration product, and the name of the third-party inspection agency responsible for the labeling of the product. Both the laboratory testing the product, and the agency responsible for its labeling, must be approved by the code official.

Exterior window and door assemblies that are not within the scope of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 are to be tested in accordance with ASTM E330, and the glass designed in accordance with ASTM E1300. Manufacturers of side hinged doors that fall within the scope of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 have the option of having them tested and labeled in accordance with that standard, or tested in accordance with ASTM E330, with the glass designed in accordance with ASTM E2112.

The 2012 IBC also will require analysis by a registered design professional to ensure adequacy of design for framing that supports glass and deflects more than 1/175 of the glass edge length. As currently exists in the 2009 IBC, this additional analysis is not required for fenestration products that are tested and labeled in accordance with AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440.

The 2012 IBC will require that windows and doors be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions that have been approved by the code official, without getting into any specific provisions for how the windows and doors are to be flashed.

Finally, the 2012 IBC will require the sill of operable windows to be 36 inches above the interior floor when they are more than 72 inches above the exterior grade or surface below the window. There will be an exception to the minimum sill height for windows that do not open more than 4 inches, or for windows that are equipped with window opening control devices that comply with ASTM F2090. The window opening control device is to limit the initial opening of the window to no more than 4 inches, but have a secondary latch that releases with no more than 15 pounds of force. Once the secondary latch is released, the window can be opened to a greater dimension.

The 2012 IBC also will provide an exception to the minimum sill height requirement for operable windows that are more than 75 feet above exterior grade, when such windows are equipped with window guards that comply with ASTM F2006. These window guards do not have a secondary release mechanism. They are intended for installation solely on windows that are not required to be emergency escape and rescue openings.