Third Party Verification Claim

Mr. John Ruprecht – Clear View Glass Railings
AET Project No. 05-20608
November 17, 2020
Page 2 of 3
The glass used in the panels has a published capacity of 10,000 psi tensile strength. Using the FEM, the
pressure was increased until the capacity was reached, which was 100 psf. Plugging this into the ASCE
7-10 equations yields a service wind speed of 155 mph, or 250 mph factored wind speed. This is higher
than the FBC’s 180 mph factored wind speed requirement.
For building envelope glazing in wind-borne debris regions, glass that is part of a building envelope
must be tested for impact resistance in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) E1996. This requirement protects a closed building envelope from being penetrated and
prevents high wind pressures from filling the building, potentially blowing out windows and lifting the
roof off the building. Because these panels are not part of the building enclosure, damage from wind-
borne debris would not penetrate the enclosure and its structural elements. Therefore, this test is not
required for the panels used as a guardrail system.
FBC Section 2407.1.2 requires that all panels “shall be supported by a minimum of three glass balusters
or shall be otherwise supported to remain in place should one baluster panel fail”. We interpret this to
mean that the panels will require three spigot supports, which is an increase from two supports in your
standard panels. FBC Section 2407.1.2 also includes an exception that states, “A top rail shall not be
required where the glass balusters are laminated glass with two or more glass plies of equal thickness
and the same glass type when approved by the building official”. We understand the panel meets this
exception, so a top rail is not required.
In summary, based on our understanding of the FBC requirements, our conclusions are as follows:
1. Wind pressure – previous testing confirms that the panels meet the 180 mph factored wind
speed requirement.
2. The panels do not require wind debris projectile testing.
3. Each panel requires three support points to the structure.
4. A top rail is not required for these panels.
Our calculations and computer model information and output is available upon request. Please call or e-
mail us to discuss this analysis or any portion of the project to evaluate your panels.
Sincerely,
American Engineering Testing, Inc.
Chris Hartnett, PE*
Principal Engineer
*MN, WI, AL, MD, MO, NC, ND, OH, PA, TN VA
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]