2024 has already been a busy season for wildfires in the United States, particularly on the West Coast. But, while you might think they are limited to only Western regions of the United States or rural areas, think again. Wildfires can and increasingly do occur virtually anywhere. And contrary to what some may believe, wildfires can spread far beyond rural areas. They can also devastate urban communities, too. That’s why there’s increasing interest in the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) and...

Is your company experiencing increased interest in sustainability? A new tool is now available for FGIA members whose customers seek environmentally conscious information to make choices for their homes and businesses. With property owners, architects and organizations’ interest in sustainable products and building practices growing, the newly released Product Category Rule (PCR) for fenestration systems comes at a great time.Thanks to collaboration by FGIA, the National Glass Association (NGA), and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), the updated and expanded PCR for Environmental Product...

Many fenestration manufacturers now offer residential windows, sliding glass doors, skylights and tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) that meet new, more rigorous U.S. ENERGY STAR 7.0 specifications. Led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the more stringent residential ENERGY STAR 7.0 program goes into effect October 23, 2023. View the U.S. ENERGY STAR 7.0 specifications for windows, doors and skylights.Fenestration manufacturers seeking to have residential products certified to ENERGY STAR 7.0 will have to meet additional new requirements to comply with the new program, compared...

Are your products designed for use in the U.S. residential replacement market? Is your company looking for ways to encourage your residential customers to add more natural light, save money, and help save energy? Now you can help your customers in the U.S. to accomplish all those goals when they choose U.S. ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient skylights or tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) and ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows for residential replacement purposes in their principal residence. In turn, they may qualify for a U.S. tax...

What comes to mind when you think of where wildfires may strike? Think they are limited to only Western regions of the United States or rural areas? Think again. Wildfires can and increasingly do occur virtually anywhere. And contrary to what some may believe, wildfires can spread far beyond rural areas. They can also devastate urban communities, too. That’s why there’s increasing interest in the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) and state or local Wildland-Urban Interface Codes. Educate yourself and your...

Research now underway at the University of Florida, together with Cornell University in New York, is laying the foundation to better understand the relationship between wind and wind-driven rain and their impacts on buildings. The study could pave the way for better understanding the effects of wind-driven rain on structures in Florida and surrounding states, which will be beneficial for FGIA Southeast Region members and many others. Later phases of this research could extend that insight across the U.S.Informing Better DesignFunded by the Florida Building...

As 2021 draws to a close, it’s natural to wonder what the New Year may bring. For the fenestration and glazing industry, 2022 could mean new opportunities as a result of a $1.2 trillion Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act signed into law as Public Law 117-58 in the U.S. on November 15.The new law includes a $550 million appropriation in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding and $500 million in State Energy Program funding for state and local governments to adopt and implement building energy codes....

The International Codes Council (ICC) Group A Committee Action Hearings (CAH) now underway are making history - not because of the proposals themselves but instead because these hearings are taking place virtually, due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.Code Hearings in a Virtual WorldHow exactly do building code hearings take place online? Through the wonders of technology, participants are able to virtually testify for or against building code changes or proposed modifications to them in ICC’s Group A cycle via Zoom rooms.Some of ICC’s committee members...

One of the important tips for Window Safety Week recognizes the use of proper hardware to limit window openings. When it comes to window hardware, it can sometimes be confusing to distinguish between which type of hardware is required for a given application or opening. For example, night latches and vent limiters may sometimes be confused with window opening control devices (WOCDs). But even though they may look or seem similar, they serve distinctly different purposes. When it comes to safety, it’s essential to make...