INTRODUCTION TO

NATIONAL BUILDING
CODE OF INDIA
(PART-6)
01 AFREEN
36 SANJANA
Table Of Contents
01 Introduction to NBC 2016

02 NBC 2016 at a glance

03 Glass and glazing (section 8)

04 Applications

05 Selection

06 types of glass

07 Energy and light

 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE
OF INDIA
The National Building Code of India 2016 (NBC 2016), a comprehensive
building Code prepared by Bureau of Indian Standards BIS, is a national
instrument providing guidelines for regulating the building construction
activities across the country.

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 NBC 2016 AT A GLANCE

NBC volume 1 consists of 6 parts.Part 6

provides for structural adequacy of
buildings and usage of materials and
technology for building design. It is
divided into 8 Sections (Section 1 to
Section 8).

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CONTENT

1 SCOPE
2 TERMINOLOGY
3 APPLICATION
4 GENERAL METHODOLOGY FOR SELECTION
5 ENERGY AND LIGHT
6 FIRE AND LOADING
7 SAFETY RELATED TO HUMAN IMPACT
8 GLAZING SYSTEM

ANNEX A MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT OF GLAZING FOR EXTERIORS

ANNEX B TEST REQUIREMENTS FOR COATED GLASS
ANNEX C PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATING THE APPROXIMATE
DEFLECTION AT CENTRE OF GLASS PANEL
ANNEX D MODEL CALCULATION OF GLASS THICKNESS
ANNEX E SHOT BAG IMPACT TEST
ANNEX F PERFORMANCE TESTS FOR GLAZING SYSTEM
ANNEX G INSTALLATION OF MIRRORS
ANNEX Η GLASS RAILINGS
LIST OF STANDARDS
 GLASS AND GLAZING (SECTION 8)
• Selection and application of glass in buildings
• Types of glass, its requirements and associated glazing materials
• Glazing in buildings with respect to its effect on energy, visual
(light) and solar environments
• Design of glass in buildings, subject to wind loading, seismic
loading
• Selection, manifestation of glass in buildings, subject to safety
with respect to human impact of the occupants
• Selection, design, fabrication, installation, testing and maintenance
of glazing systems.

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 Applications
1. Type and Thickness Selection:

The chosen type and thickness of glass should meet the specified
criteria, considering factors such as wind load. Additionally, the
thickness calculation, particularly in areas subjected to wind load,
should also comply with safety standards for human impact.

2. Installation Guidelines:

The installation of glass onto the building must adhere to various

provisions outlined in the relevant section. In instances where specific
provisions are absent, the installation process should follow the
instructions provided by the manufacturer. This ensures that the
installation meets industry standards and guarantees the safety and
performance of the glass.

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 3. The optical, solar, and thermal performance of the chosen
glazing, whether clear, tinted, or coated reflective glass, should
meet specific criteria:

● Spectral transmittance, external and internal spectral

reflectance
● Light transmittance, external and internal light reflectance
● Solar direct transmittance and reflectance
● UV transmittance
● Better thermal transmittance (U-value).

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 Selection
4.1.1 Methodology Development: Right from the initial project
evaluation stage, a methodology is recommended. This
methodology should take into account the implications of using
glass materials and their impact on the overall performance of the
building. A flowchart is provided in Figure 1 to guide users through
this selection process.

Assumptions:

a) The location and preliminary size/shape of the area to be glazed

are already determined as part of the normal building design
process.
b) The designer has gathered information on the use of
glass/plastic glazing sheet materials in similar circumstances.
c) The designer is aware of the implications of any innovative
design choices.
4.1.2 Aesthetic Considerations and Client Requirements: Design
requirements, including aesthetic considerations and
client-specified needs such as security and maintenance, should
be taken into account. This emphasizes the importance of aligning
the glass selection with the overall design vision and addressing
specific client needs.

4.1.3 Cost Analysis: The impact of design decisions on costs should

be thoroughly considered. This includes:

• Initial cost of glazing: Consideration of the specifications of

glass/plastic sheeting material, glazing method, access for initial
glazing, work schedule, and protection during construction.
• Effect of glass/plastic sheeting material on capital/running
costs: This involves understanding how the chosen materials
influence building heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation
costs.
• Maintenance cost of glazed areas: Factors such as access for
cleaning and reglazing should be considered.
4.1.4 Cost Benefit Analysis:

The selection of suitable glass should involve a thorough cost

benefit analysis, weighing the benefits against available
alternatives. This analysis considers the comparative cost of
different glazing materials, taking into account factors such as life
expectancy and the likelihood of maintenance requirements.
 Types of glass
There are 8 types of glasses described in NBC

*Normal (annealed glass)

*Laminated glass
*Toughened or tempered glass
*Heat strengthened glass
*Reflective glass
*Insulating glass unit
*Wired glass
*Glass fins

The soda lime silicate glass is classified based on the

type of internal stress which determines the strength of
the glazing towards breakage,design and installation
procedure and based on application.
 Normal (annealed glass)
Annealed glass is ordinary glass,that has not been heat-strengthened or
tempered. Annealing float glass is the process of controlled cooling to
prevent residual stress in the glass and is an inherent operation of the
float glass manufacturing process.
. Flat transparent sheet glass shall conform to the following classes as
1. A Quality or Selected Quality (SQ) Intended for specific glazing,
mirror manufacturing, safety glass, and so on.
2. B Quality or Ordinary Quality (OQ) Intended for use in glazing and
framing.
3. C Qualify or Greenhouse Quality (GQ) Intended for use in
greenhouse glazing, manufacturing of frosted glass, flooring strips,
and other applications.

Laminated glass
Laminated glass is a glass configuration made of two or more pieces of glass bonded together by
interlayer/interlayers. It is commonly used as a form of safety glass which cracks and breaks under sufficient
impact, the broken glass fragments being still held together. When laminated glass is broken, fragments tend
to adhere to the interlayer.

Laminated glass can be made from the following typical combinations:

a) Glass which is float/sheet/patterned/polished wired/wired patterned glass
b) Plastic glazing sheet material which can be polycarbonate or acrylic and may be having the following
properties:
c) Interlayers which differ based on material type and composition; mechanical characteristics; and optical
characteristics
 Toughened or tempered glass
It is a type of safety glass which is heat treated to a uniform temperature of
approximately 650°C and rapidly cooled to induce compressive stresses of
75.5 MPa (770 kg/cm²) to 143.4 MPa (1 462 kg/cm²)If a deep scratch or an
impact penetrates the surface, the glass shall break into a number of small
particles.
*Toughened glass provides greater thermal strength.
*It increases resistance to both sudden temperature changes and
temperature differentials up to 250°C compared with normal glass, which
can withstand temperature differentials up to 40°C only.
*Thermally toughened glass is approximately four times stronger than
annealed glass of the same thickness .

Heat strengthened glass

It is a type of tempered glass which has been strengthened thermally by inducing a surface compression of
about 44.3 MPa (422 kg/cm²) to 64.5 MPa (658 kg/cm²) as compared to a range of 75.5 MPa (770 kg/cm²) to
143.4 MPa (1 462 kg/cm²) in case of fully tempered glass.
Heat strengthened glass is valued for its mechanical strength, which is twice that of normal annealed glass
though half of toughened glass.

Heat strengthened glass provides necessary resistance to thermal stress associated with high performance
glazing materials such as tinted glass and reflective glass. It also provides necessary resistance to heat building
up. Heat strengthened glass with its flatter surface also results in the facade having less optical distortions. Heat
strengthened glass shall have a surface compression of 24 - 52 MPa
Reflective glass

Reflective glass features a metallic coating that increases reflection of

both visible and infrared light and heat, enhancing building exteriors
without compromising transparency. It reduces heat gain and glare while
allowing optimal light transmission indoors, potentially lowering air
conditioning needs. However, caution is advised in internal spaces to
avoid confusion for individuals with vision impairments due to strong
reflections.

Insulating Glass Unit

An Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) is a prefabricated glass unit with an edge

seal that binds glass sheets together and protects the cavity between
them. Desiccants in the spacer control moisture, and the precise spacer
distance ensures optimal performance. Dry air or gases like
argon/krypton can fill the cavity for improved thermal performance,
reducing heat transmission. This technology significantly decreases heat
conductivity compared to standard glass and can also mitigate direct solar
energy. For large sizes, spacer thickness is critical to prevent glass contact.
Testing for moisture penetration and gas levels is standard for IGUs.
 Wired glass

Wired glass is a type of safety glass produced through rolling process. Unfold
the rolled metal wire mesh from the wire feeding device and deliver it to the
molten glass liquid, and together with the glass liquid, pass through the
upper and lower rolling rollers to form a sandwiched glass. The shape of the
metal wire mesh in laminated glass is usually square or hexagonal, and the
surface of the glass can be patterned or smooth. The thickness of wired glass
is usually 6-16mm (excluding the thickness of the middle line) and is widely
used in building decoration.

Glass fin
Glass fins are used to support glazed façades and enhance their rigidity. They
can also act as support for glazed roofs.

When glass fins are used as a decorative member, it can be either toughened
(tempered) or laminated glass.
When glass fins are used as a structural member, it shall be toughened and
laminated. The depth and thickness may vary as per elevation and wind load
requirements. Design should also accommodate movements. It is
recommended to use finite element analysis to determine the appropriate
glass fin sizes
 Associated Glazing Materials

Structural Sealant
The structural sealant could be of silicone type with
requirements meeting the design criteria. Structural
sealant shall be shelf-stable, natural-cured,
elastomeric adhesive exhibiting the desired
adhesion to building substrates. The structural
sealant may require cleaning and or priming to get
good adhesion for structural glazing application. For
laminated glass applications where glass edges are
sealed with a sealant, compatibility shall be ensured
with the interlayer to avoid delamination.
Gaskets
Gasket is a mechanical seal that fills the space
between two mating surfaces, to prevent leakage
from or into the joined objects and will be able to
deform while under compression and tightly fills the
space it is designed for, including any slight
irregularities.

structural sealant
Gaskets
 Preformed tape

Preformed tape is commonly used in glass

fixing applications as a sealant and cushioning
material.
These tapes come in various sizes, thicknesses,
and materials to accommodate different types
of glass and mounting surfaces.
preformed tape helps to create a tight seal
between the glass and the mounting surface,
preventing water infiltration and providing
additional support.

Setting Blocks, Location Blocks and Distance

Pieces
Setting blocks, location blocks, and distance
pieces shall be designed as,
a) resilient, load-bearing, non-absorbent and
rot- proof materials; and
b) compatible with all other materials that may
come in contact with them.
 ENERGY AND LIGHT
❖ Energy and Thermal Properties of Glass:
➢ The energy and thermal properties of glass are
determined by factors such as light transmission,
internal and external reflection, solar heat gain
coefficient, and U-value. Performance requirements
for glazing must be appropriately selected, with
minimum requirements outlined in Annex A.
Specific methods for calculating light and energy
factors for glass are provided, serving as a basis for
room light, heating, and ventilation calculations,
and facilitating comparisons between different types
of glazing. This applies to all flat glass materials.

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 ❖ E
➢ Th
➢ Energy: Design of glazed areas in buildings
should consider the overall energy balance,
accounting for effects on occupant thermal
comfort and total annual energy implications of
solar gain and energy loss.
■ Energy gain occurs through solar radiant
energy transmission into the building, which
can be controlled by glass properties like
absorption or reflection.
■ Energy loss results from energy transfer via
conduction, convection, and long-wavelength
radiation, and can be influenced by factors
such as air cavities, gases with low thermal
conductivity, and low emissivity glass.

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 ■ Thermal Comfort: Energy transmission through glazing significantly impacts occupant
comfort by affecting room air temperatures. Hot, sunny weather can lead to excessive
energy gains, while energy losses may occur during cold weather or at night. Thermal
comfort can also be influenced by direct radiation through the glazing or radiation
exchange between the glazing and occupants.

■ Solar Energy Gain

Factors influencing solar gain through glazing:
a) Orientation
b) Glazed area
c) Shading devices (internal and external)
d) Properties of the glazing

■ Total solar energy transmittance, also known as the 'g' value, represents the proportion
of solar radiation passing through glazing at normal incidence. It comprises direct
transmittance (short wave component) and the portion of solar absorptance dissipated
inwardly by long wave radiation and convection (long wave component). Solar control
glazing properties are described by shading coefficients, comparing them to clear float
glass with a total solar energy transmittance of 0.87 for glass between 3 mm and 4 mm
thick.

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 ■ T
■ S
■ Total solar energy transmittance
● Solar control glass comes in various forms with the primary function of reducing total
solar energy transmittance, typically leading to a decrease in visible solar spectrum
transmission. Some varieties preferentially attenuate non-visible solar radiation while
maintaining visible radiation transmission. Ceramic frit application on the glass
surface can modify its energy and light transmission, with effects varying based on the
screen print pattern. Solar control glass can be utilized in single or double glazed units
based on site requirements, and the selection depends on building needs, whether to
maximize passive solar gains or reduce air conditioning loads. Certain types of solar
control glasses can be toughened or heat strengthened to enhance safety from thermal
fracture.

Varieties of Solar Control Glass:

a) Body Tinted Glass: Increases absorption, with solar control properties
and color varying with glass thickness. When used in insulating glass
units, it's typically positioned as the outer pane.

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 b) Reflective Coated Glass: Maximizes solar energy
attenuation by increasing direct reflection, with higher
absorption compared to clear glass. It offers a greater
performance range, higher solar energy attenuation,
light/energy ratios nearing theoretical limits, and various
color appearances.

c) Laminated Glass: Can incorporate solar control

properties through solar control glass, tinted interlayers, or
both. Clear interlayers with solar control glass exhibit
similar properties to solar control glass, while tinted
interlayers absorb solar radiation with different colors and
performances.

d) Insulating Glass Units (IGUs): Primarily used for

improved thermal transmittance (U-value) and can also
enhance total solar energy transmittance by incorporating
a second glass pane and hermetically sealed air space. The
inner pane can be clear glass, hard coat low emissivity
glass, or soft coat low emissivity glass.

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 1.1.3. Total solar energy transmittance
1.1.3.1. S
❖ Solar Control Plastics Glazing Sheet Materials
➢ Various colored plastics glazing sheet materials can be utilized to reduce solar
radiation transmission, with selection advised through consultation with
manufacturers.

❖ Blinds and Louvres

➢ The use of blinds or louvres in windows impacts the window shading
coefficient, influenced by factors such as solar optical properties of the glazing,
blind material, energy transfer coefficients at window surfaces, blind geometry
and location, and sun angle. Manufacturers' guidance should be sought for
➢ T
optimal use of these materials.
➢ E
➢ Energy Loss
■ Energy loss is assessed through thermal transmittance or U-value. Glass
and thin plastics conduct energy easily, thus offering poor insulation.
Insulating glass units or coupled glazing are recommended to improve
resistance to energy loss, as air cavities provide additional thermal
resistance. Increasing glass or plastic sheet thickness has minimal effect
on the U-value.

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 ➢ E
➢
■ E
■ Methods for Improving Thermal Insulation

● Use of Low-Emissivity Coatings

Low-emissivity coatings with surface emissivities below 0.2
enhance thermal insulation, particularly effective on insulating
glass unit cavity surfaces. Certain low-E glasses, such as those
based on silver, are suitable for double glazed units only due to
potential oxidation in single glazed units.
● Increasing the Width of Air Space
Enhanced thermal insulation is achieved by widening the
airspace, although there's a risk of gas convection within the
cavity.

● Using Gases of Lower Thermal Conductivity

Replacing air in the cavity with gases like argon or krypton
improves thermal insulation.

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 ■ M
● Uss.
● In.
● Ur.
● Inhibiting Convection within Air Space
Filling the cavity with cellular material reduces
convection, but may compromise vision as most
materials are translucent.
● Evacuation of Air Space
Theoretically, a vacuum would eliminate energy
transfer, but it poses challenges due to external air
pressure.
Note: Evacuation of the air space is currently
considered technically impractical.
● Evaluation of Spacer Material in Double Glazed Unit
Changing the spacer material in double glazed units
can enhance the glazing system's thermal
performance when other options are exhausted

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 5.1.4 Typical U-Values of Glass Products

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 ➢ E
➢
■ E
■ M

● Energy Conservation
Effective window design plays a significant role in conserving energy by

minimizing the need for artificial lighting. Factors such as room shape,

window orientation, occupancy patterns, tasks, and surroundings should be

carefully considered. Just as with task lighting, these factors contribute to

optimizing energy usage and should be thoroughly evaluated.

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THANK YOU