NGA Glass ConferenceTacoma emphasize glass’ contribution to sustainability

Glass and glazing industry technical leaders gathered at the NGA Glass Conference: Tacoma, July 25 to 27. NGA’s Forming, Fabricating and Advocacy committees met at the conference, with an emphasis on how architectural glass can contribute to sustainability and energy conservation.

NGA Forming Committee

The Forming Committee gave updates on several sustainability initiatives, including global warming potential limits set by the Buy Clean California and Buy Clean Colorado programs.

NGA will continue to work with stakeholders on these initiatives. Find resources and FAQs on these initiatives. NGA’s Recycling task group is working on educational tools explaining the math and science promoting recycling of architectural glass and resources to help overcome roadblocks to recycling.

Submit case studies of successful architectural glass recycling.

NGA Advocacy Committee
Committee members reviewed follow-up items from NGA Glass and Glazing Advocacy Days, held March 27 to 28, in Washington, DC, USA.

NGA members met with members of Congress, as well as representatives from the DOE and EPA, to make a positive connection for glass to legislators.

Topics at the event were sustainability, school security, workforce development and bird-friendly glazing. Representative Morgan Griffith [R-VA] reintroduced the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act (H.R. 3781) in June, and five representatives have cosponsored the bill.

The bill directs the GSA to incorporate strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with public buildings.

NGA Fabricating Committee
Launching this fall at GlassBuild America, MyGlassFabTM will provide consistent, accessible skills training for glass fabrication production personnel with educational courses plus hands-on activities.

Spanish translations of NGA’s Glass Technical Papers (GTPs) on cleaning installed glass will be available soon. The translations were done to help promote the NGA and joint NGA/IWCA resources cautioning against cleaning heat-treated glass with a razor blade, which can scratch the glass.

A new or modified impactor for ANSI Z97.1 is being considered to address concerns with lead shot and other potential improvements. NGA’s Installing Committee announced the new Frameless Shower Enclosures Design and Installation Manual available at a discounted price to NGA Members.