 
A Look at the Changes in the 2009 Version ANSI
Z97.1
April 21, 2010
After five years of work by the members of the American National
Standards Institute's (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee (ASC)
Z97, the update to the American National Standard for Safety
Glazing Materials Used in Buildings - Safety Performance Specifications
and Methods of Test (ANSI Z97.1) is now complete. The 2009 edition
is now available for public sale and distribution. The new version
contains several modifications and new material, which add clarity
of purpose, intent and procedures.
The standard is specifically written for architectural glazing materials
subjected to accidental human impact. According to Kevin Olah and
Julie Schimmelpenningh, chair and secretary of ASC Z97, it is recognized
that safety glazing configurations, tested and deemed to pass in
accordance with this standard, may be used in applications other
than those specifically identified in the scope - such as, but not
limited to, furniture, shelving and signage. The specifying parties
are responsible for ensuring that the test method chosen, product
impact classification and interpretation of results are appropriate
for their particular application.
The changes in the standard begin with the Forward section. Although
not technically part of the standard, it gives guidance on how the
standard should be used and how to provide feedback, comments and
requests for interpretation to ASC. A section related to the currency
of referenced documents within the standard was also added to the
Forward.
As the standard opens, the first sections are the Scope, Purpose
and Limitations of the document. Olah and Schimmelpenningh explain
that "minor, but significant," wording changes are included
in these sections. Specifically, the products that have not been,
or no longer are, considered safety glazing in accordance with this
standard are noted.
The Reference and Definition sections also saw minor adjustments,
updates and consistency.
Specimens are then grouped in Table 1 by product type. This table
defines the tests that need to be completed for each product type.
A center-punch fragmentation test for tempered glass is now included
in the document, which Olah and Schimmelpenningh says will help
ensure that any glass product not broken by the force of the shot-bag
impact still will break in accordance with the safe-break criteria
of this standard.
The Methods of Test section has also been revised with new, enlarged
images and corresponding text for easy readability. The Adjustments
in the Limitations section relegates Class C to a product test method
and clarifies the intent of the 2004 version regarding the safety
rating of Class C-compliant materials.
One of the biggest changes in the 2009 document is the inclusion
of Table 2, "Applicable Interpretation of Results from Shot
Bag Impact." This table was inserted to assist in the understanding
of the Interpretation of Results section. As this section has been
revamped and completely restructured, the committee felt that the
addition of Table 2 would provide needed guidance and clarity.
The next section of the standard describes the weathering requirements
for glazing products. The only product exempt from weathering is
tempered glass. All other glazing types applicable to this standard
- laminated glass, organic coated glass and plastics - must demonstrate
acceptability after exposure to weathering conditions in order to
comply.
Laminated glass and organic coated glass must meet new requirements
in the 2009 version. Although visual inspection of the glazing is
still a part of the standard, quantitative measurements for visible
transmittance, yellowness, haze and Delta E have been added.
For plastic safety glazing products, dimensional stability and testing
via Charpy Impact continue to be included in the new version of
the standard. With the discontinuation of ASTM D 756 Practice
for Determination of Weight and Shape changes of Plastics
Under Accelerated Service Conditions, an enhanced section on
the exposure of products for indoor use was added.
ANSI Z97.1 is a continuous standard, meaning it is constantly under
review. ANSI sets a five-year time limit on the update-and-revision
process of a standard to ensure that it is in harmony with industry
evolution, market demands and use.
The Steering Committee of ASC Z97 is planning on meeting in June
2010 to discuss the structure and procedures for the next revision
of the standard. A full committee meeting to begin the next revision
process currently is planned for the Fall 2010.
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