CGSB Approves Funding to Update Three Canadian Glass Standards

CGSB is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) as a Standards Development Organization. This formal recognition is contingent upon CGSB providing a consensus process. CGSB has selected three glass standards for which the SCC have committed funding to update, with the intent of undertaking a review of the environmental and climate resiliency components in the next editions. This is in support of the Canadian government’s efforts to prioritize environmental issues.

“This is wonderful news,” said Amy Roberts, FGIA Director of Canadian and Technical Glass Operations. “Some of the Canadian glass standards are long overdue for revision. With changes to the National Building Codes as well as more stringent energy requirements, keeping the standards relevant is vitally important.”

The three standards that will be updated by CGSB with funding approval from SCC are:

• CAN/CGSB-12.1-2022, Safety Glazing
• CAN/CGSB-12.8-2017 (R2022), Insulating Glass Units
• CAN/CGSB-12.20-M89, Structural Design of Glass for Buildings (withdrawn)

Efforts were made in 2019 and 2020 by FGIA and Fenestration Association of BC (FENBC) to secure funding for revisions to these standards with no success, Roberts said. “To have the Standards to Support Resilience in Infrastructure Program, led by the Standards Council of Canada, offering funding for updating these valuable glass standards is a big step forward.”

The CAN/CGSB 12.20, Structural Design of Glass in Buildings, has not been revised since 1989 and is currently in a “withdrawn” status. According to CGSB, the information contained in a withdrawn standard may no longer represent the most current, reliable and/or available information on the identified subject(s). Additionally, the CAN/CGSB 12.8, Insulating Glass Units, is the standard used for IGMAC insulating glass certification. While the latter standard was reaffirmed in 2022, it has not been revised since 1997.

“Canada is leading the way with environmental and climate change goals,” said Roberts. “To support these initiatives, related standards, including the three recently identified by CGSB, are being prioritized for development and update. Canada has been long known for having the leading edge on codes and standards. We are not losing that identity.”

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org.