New ASTM Standard Available to Aid in Reducing Thermal Breakage

ASTM International Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings has approved a new standard for determining the resistance of annealed architectural glass to thermally induced stresses caused by exposure to sun and shadows. The standard, E 2431, Practice for Determining the Resistance of Single Glazed Annealed Architectural Flat Glass to Thermal Loadings, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E06.51 on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls.

"By using the ASTM standard, designers and specifiers of glass in buildings can reduce the possibility of thermal breakage of glass in both vertical and sloped applications, such as facades, storefronts, skylights and atriums," says William Lingnell, chair of the task group that developed the standard.

According to Lingnell, the task group’s intention is to ultimately include the resistance of insulating glass units to thermal stresses. Work is currently underway to expand the standard.