Sponsored by

Insulating Glass Units

Russell Day – GGF Technical Officer

A guide to Insulating Glass Units manufactured to BS EN 1279

Sponsored by

Agenda

What is an Insulating Glass Unit

BS EN 1279 series

The legal stuff

Types of IGUs

Glazing systems

Guarantees

Sponsored by

What is an Insulating Glass Unit

2 or more panes of glass separated by a spacer bar(s) around the perimeter of the glass

Spacer bar is usually attached to the glass by a primary sealant

Secondary sealant behind the spacer bar

Cavity formed may be air or inert gas filled

Sponsored by

The Glass Glass specification

a single function such as light transmission (e.g. float glass or low-iron glass) or

additional functions

safety in the event of breakage,

containment,

energy efficiency (low emissivity),

solar control,

reduced maintenance (cleaning),

security,

acoustic or

a combination of functions

Sponsored by

The Glass With the exception of thermal toughening,

most other additional functions will affect the light transmission of the glass

This may affect the g-value, a significant component of the Window Energy Rating calculations

Many of these functions also have a effect of the optical characteristics of the IGU

Sponsored by

The Spacer Bar

Is used to control the width of the cavity

May be either standard bar (usually aluminium) or Warm-edge type

Contains desiccant to dry the air or gas in the cavity to prevent the formation of condensation

Volume is critical in hollow spacer bars

Sponsored by

Primary sealant

Primary sealant is applied to the 2 edges of the spacer bar to provide adhesion of the spacer to the glass

To prevent moisture ingress into and gas loss from the cavity

Provides structural strength to the IGU

Sponsored by

Secondary sealant

Applied to the IGU following assembly of the unit

Provides additional resistance to moisture ingress and gas loss

Provides structural strength to the IGU

Sponsored by

The Cavity

Controlled width dependant on the thermal performance required

May be air filled or gas filled to improve thermal performance (Argon, Krypton, Xenon)

Optimum cavity width depends on cavity contents, air 18-20mm, argon 16mm etc.

Sponsored by

IGU components

Key

1 Desiccant

2 Spacer bar

3 Diffusion openings

4 Glass

5 Inner/Primary seal

6 Outer/Secondary seal

Sponsored by

BS EN 1279

6 parts:

Part 1 - Generalities, dimensional tolerances

and rules for the system description

Part 2 - Long term test method and

requirements for moisture penetration

Part 3 - Long term test method and

requirements for gas leakage rate and for gas concentration tolerances

Sponsored by

BS EN 1279

Part 4 - Methods of test for the physical

attributes of edge seals

Part 5 - Evaluation of conformity

Part 6 - Factory production control (FPC) and

periodic tests

Sponsored by

BS EN 1279 – The legal stuff IGUs are a construction product - CPR

BS EN 1279 is a harmonised European Standard (Norm) hEN

All IGUs should be manufactured in conformity to the standard (all parts)

All IGUs should have a Declaration of Performance (Essential Characteristics)

All IGUs should be CE marked

No exceptions

Sponsored by

Declaration of Performance Declaration of Performance

No: 001

4-20-4 IGU – Low-e + 90%argon+toughened

For use in commercial and domestic buildings

ABC Insulating Glass Ltd.

Unit 26

Northampton Business park

Northampton

www.abcig.co.uk/dop

System 3

EN 1279-5:2005+A2:2010

Notified body 1234

Essential Characteristics Performance

Resistance to fire (for glass for use in a glazed assembly intended specifically for fire resistance) NPD

Reaction to fire NPD

External fire performance (for roof coverings only) NPD

Bullet resistance: Shatter properties and resistance to attack NPD

Explosion resistance: Impact behaviour and resistance to attack NPD

Burglar resistance: Shatter properties and resistance to attack NPD

Pendulum body impact resistance: Shatter properties (safe breakability) and resistance to impact 1(C)1

Mechanical resistance: Resistance against sudden temperature changes and temperature differentials 200°C

Mechanical resistance: resistance against wind, snow, permanent and imposed and/or imposed loads of the glass unit and edge seal when required 4mm as ordered

Protection against noise: Direct airborne sound reduction NPD

Thermal properties 1.2 W(m2.K)

Light transmittance NPD

Light Reflectance NPD

Direct solar transmittance NPD

Direct solar reflectance NPD

Total solar factor (g-value) 0.72

Dangerous substances NONE

The performance of the product identified above is in conformity with the set of declared performance(s). This declaration of performance is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011, under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer identified above

Signed on behalf of the manufacturer by:

J. M. Samuels Northampton on 21/02/2015

[Signature]

Sponsored by

CE Label

No: 001

For use in commercial and domestic buildings ABC Insulating Glass Ltd.

Unit 26 Northampton Business Park

Northampton

15

4-20-4 IGU – Low-e + 90%argon+toughened

EN 1279-5:2005+A2:2010

Notified body 1234

System 3

Resistance to fire (for glass for use in a glazed assembly intended specifically for fire resistance) NPD

Reaction to fire NPD

External fire performance (for roof coverings only) NPD

Bullet resistance: Shatter properties and resistance to attack NPD

Explosion resistance: Impact behaviour and resistance to attack NPD

Burglar resistance: Shatter properties and resistance to attack NPD

Pendulum body impact resistance: Shatter properties (safe breakability) and resistance to impact 1(C)1

Mechanical resistance: Resistance against sudden temperature changes and temperature differentials 200°C

Mechanical resistance: resistance against wind, snow, permanent and imposed and/or imposed loads of the glass unitand edge seal when required

4mm as ordered

Protection against noise: Direct airborne sound reduction NPD

Thermal properties 1.2 W(m2.K)

Light transmittance NPD

Light Reflectance NPD

Direct solar transmittance NPD

Direct solar reflectance NPD

Total solar factor (g-value) 0.72

Dangerous substances NONE

Sponsored by

Types of IGUs

Double glass IGUs

Most commonly used

16 – 20mm cavity widths

Edge seal sightline usually 10 – 12mm

4 – 8mm cavity widths

Reduced edge seal sightline 6 – 8mm

Triple Glass IGUs

Sponsored by

Double glass IGUs

IGUs with edge seal sightline of 10–12mm

Test data from Part 2 & 3 testing

All cavity widths valid when tested with 12mm cavity

Narrow cavities (4, 6 & 8mm) need to increase amount of desiccant when using hollow spacer bars

Sponsored by

Double glass IGUs IGUs with edge seal sightline of 6-8mm

Achieved by:

Significant reduction in secondary sealant depth

10-12mm sightline Part 2 & 3 test data no longer valid, actual test data for unit construction needed

Reduction in depth of spacer bar

Possible reduction in ratio of desiccant volume to the cavity volume

GGF - Narrow Cavity Insulating Glass Units (IGU’s)

with Reduced Spacer-bar Sightlines

Sponsored by

GGF Guidance

Sponsored by

Triple glass IGUs

Beware of claims made

Thermal

Acoustic

Hardware weight capacity

Thermally toughened centre pane

Visual quality – more panes of glass

Sponsored by

Glazing systems

Drained and ventilated systems

Ideal for IGUs

System is designed to remove moisture from the glazing rebate

keeps moisture away from edge seals

Majority are usually ‘dry-glazed’, with gaskets or tapes

no contact of glazing materials with edge seal

Sponsored by

Compatibility of glazing compounds

Sponsored by

Glazing systems

Solid bedding

Used mainly in timber frames

System must be designed to prevent moisture entering into the glazing rebate and contacting the IGU edge seal

Compatibility of the glazing compound with the IGU edge seal is vitally important

Sponsored by

Glazing systems – reduced sightline IGUs

Solid Bedding is used exclusively for narrow module, reduced sightline IGUs

Use the system recommended by the IGU manufacturer (Guarantee)

Often used in situations where ‘Putty fronting’ is also specified

Sponsored by

Glazing systems – reduced sightline IGUs

Slimlite Double Glazing B66/Putty

UA Sashlite U9/Colouglaze or DrysealMP

The Original Glass Company B66/U9/DrysealMP

Slenderpane B66/Putty

Action Glass (UK) Ltd (Slenderfit) None Stated

Timbalite None Stated

Treforest Glass U9/Colouglaze

Abbey Glass (Cardiff) Limited Putty

Windowright Flexistrip / U9

Ravensby Glass Co Ltd Non setting compound/Elastic putty sealant

Slimglaze B66/U9/Multipurpose Putty

Histoglass KAWO Elastokitt

Nichols and Clarke Bedding Compound/ non linseed putty

Sponsored by

Glazing systems

Standard putty is not suitable for use as back bedding or void filling (between edge of IGU and frame rebate)

If ‘putty fronting’ is required, ideally a ‘modern’ material should be used

If general purpose putty is used, overpainting is essential – do not use MVP finishes

Sponsored by

Guarantees

When purchasing IGUs ensure the manufacturer supplies a guarantee with the unit

Often different when factory or site glazing

Guarantees will have conditions attached, ensure you are aware of them

Sponsored by

Thank you for your attention

Any Questions?

Russell Day, Technical Officer

Glass and Glazing Federation

rday@ggf.org.uk