How is Miami Dade County addressing the glass type/thickness of windows when comparative analysis is used?
The glass standard ASTM E1300 is the criteria to be used when designing the window and obtaining the minimum glass thickness to be used on a particular glass area. This standard however, is not the only criteria to be used when downsizing a window to change the glass type or thickness without performing the required tests. Using a picture window as a simple example, the following will apply: First, one type of extrusion, and glazing method/system is used to qualify this window; if components of the window system change, (other than the glass type / glass thickness) then the product shall be treated under a separate product approval. With respect to the testing for non-impact windows, TAS 201 and TAS 203 do not apply. Only TAS 202 will be used. Test three (3) samples of the largest size window with the required glass thickness per the ASTM E1300 standard, to the requirements of TAS 202. Since in this example the unit is a fixed window, these units do not need to undergo the forced entry
