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 Glass Railing Systems

Presented by:

Vicente Montes

Curtain Wall Design and Consulting, Inc.

Learning Objectives
• Updates to ASTM Glass Railing Standard

• Overview of IBC requirements for glass railing systems

• Requirements per other standards

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 Examples (Unobstructed Views)

Additional Examples
• With top rail
(guard rail)

• With vertical posts

• With infill panels

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 Something to consider

ASTM E2358
-Standard Specification for the Performance of Glass in
Permanent Glass Railing Systems, Guards, and Balustrades-
• Scope
– Based on the health and safety of all potential users.
– For normal and anticipated building uses, but not for abuses.

• Design Requirements
– Guardrail Systems (4.1.1)
• 42” from walking surface

• At least 48” when adjacent surface is more than 20 ft

– Public assembly
– Elementary schools
– Multi-family buildings

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 ASTM E2358
• Handrails (4.1.2)
– Corridors, ramp, walkways, enclosed stairways
– Slope of at least 1 in 20.
– Height not less than 34”
– Height no more than 38”

• Transfer Rails Systems

• Railing System Penetrations
• Hand-grip

ASTM E2358
• Performance Requirements
Deflection (6.2)
– Load at vertical support
• h/12 = 42”/12
• 3.5”

– Horizontal load at rail mid-span

• h/24+l/96 = 42”/24 + 60”/96
• 2.375”

– Vertical load at rail mid-span

• l/96 = 60”/96
• 0.625”

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 ASTM E2358
• Classification (5.1)
– Type I – VI
– Level of Performance
• Level 1 – Basic
• Level 2 – Safety
• Level 3 – Enhanced
• Level 4 – Enhanced

ASTM E2353
-Standard Test Method for Performance of Glazing in Permanent
Railing Systems, Guards, and Balustrades-
• Tests
– Static Loads
– Shot Bag Impact Test
– Pendulum Impactor Test

• Performance after impact

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 ASTM
• ASTM WK59324
– Standard Practice/Guide for Design of Glass Railings and
Guards and Balustrades

Code Requirements
IBC 2015
• Glass supports (IBC 2403.2)
– If not firmly supported on all four sides
• Construction documents
• Shop drawings
• Analysis
• Test data

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 Code Requirements
IBC 2015
• Glass General Requirements (IBC 2406)
– Safety Glazing required
– Hazardous location (IBC 2406.4, 2406.4.4)
• Structural baluster
• In-fill panels
• Regardless of area or height above walking surface.
– Hazardous locations – Requirements
• Impact Test – CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201.
– Permanently marked (IBC 2406.3)
• Manufacturer
• Standard with which it complies

• Glass in Handrails and Guards (IBC 2407.1)

– Laminated glass – Category II or CPSC 16 CRF
Part 1201 or Glass A of ANSI Z97.1.
– Minimum ¼”
• Monolithic tempered glass is allowed at:
– No walking surface beneath
– Walking surface beneath is permanently protected form
the risk of falling glass

Code Requirements
IBC 2015
• Loads (IBC 2407.1.1)
– Design factor of 4 must be used
– IBC Section 1607.8
• 50 plf applied at the top
• 200 lb applied at the top
– WL on all vertical exterior glass (IBC 2404.1)
– On all vertical exterior glass
– From Section 1609 for components and cladding

• Support (IBC 2407.1.2)

– Each guard section to be supported by a minimum
of 3 glass balusters
– Guard to remain in place if one baluster panel fails.
• Top rail is not required if glass is laminated.
• Some local codes require a top rail. Therefore this
exception would not apply.
**2018 IBC. Panels shall be tested to remain in place as
a barrier following impact or glass breakage in
accordance with ASTM E2353

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 Case Study

Case Study
• Glass Failure

• CDC’s preliminary
investigation
– Post-tension cable
failure

• Additional glass failures

– Poor design
• (red indicates beyond
yield limits)

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 Case Study
• Solution
– Glass replacement

– Stanchion re-design
• Using FEA
• Stainless Steel (45
ksi yield strength)

Glass in Railing Systems

• Tempered glass considerations

– Nickel Sulfide (NiS)

• Thermal cycles
• Sudden explosion

• Breakage probability (5ft x 3ft panel)

• Heat soaking

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 Discussion

Discussion
• Handrail height is from 34” to 38”
(code definition)

• Handrails are not guards (based on

height definition)
– Handrails are only required by code
at stairs

• In the event of one glass baluster

failing, the guard needs to remain in
place and needs to resist the
specified loads.
– Simple edge protectors will not meet
this requirement.

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 Discussion
 Is a Top Rail required or not?

Discussion
IBC 2407.1.2. Each handrail or guard section shall be supported by a minimum of 3
glass balusters or shall be supported to remain in place should one baluster panel
fail. Glass balusters shall not be installed without an attached handrail or guard.

• This section protects the

public in the event of an
individual panel failure. The
adjacent panels will hold the
railing and prevent people
from falling.

• Does this mean that as long

as a handrail is installed a
guard (top rail) is not required?

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 Laminated Glass Examples

Discussion
• Questions asked to ICC via their “Code Opinion Submission Form”

• Can a glass rail system be installed without a guard on top of the glass if
there is a handrail attached to the glass? In other words… no cap, exposed
top edge of glass at 42 inch height with a handrail mounted on the side of
the glass and handrail height
– ICC response: “No”

• Weather the system has an attached handrail or not, does the guard (piece
on top of the glass) have to meet the loading requirement if one baluster
fails.
– ICC response: “Yes”

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 Conclusion
• Considerations when designing with glass

• ASTM

• Code requirements

• Is a top rail required?

• Additional documents
– ICC AC 439 – Acceptance Criteria for Glass Railing and
Balustrade Systems (2014-2015)
– ICC AC 273 – Acceptance Criteria for Handrails and Guards

Thank You For Attending!

• Presenter’s Name: Vicente Montes

• Company: Curtain Wall Design and Consulting, Inc.

• Email: vmontes@cdc-usa.com

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