ASTM E2353-04

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An American National Standard
Designation: E 2353 – 04
Standard Test Methods for
Performance of Glass in Permanent Glass Railing Systems,
Guards, and Balustrades
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2353; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope breakage. This specification does not address structural limita-
tion of glass rails, guards, and balustrades or vehicular guards
1.1 These test methods describe procedures to be followed
except when in the area of a pedestrian walkway.
in testing the performance of glass in permanent railing
1.8 All values are stated in SI units and are to be regarded
systems, guards and balustrades installed in and for assembly,
as standard. Values given in parentheses are for information
commercial, educational, industrial, institutional, stadiums,
only. Certain values contained in reference documents cited
recreational, and residential buildings.
and quoted herein may be stated in inch-pound units and must
1.2 These test methods are applicable to such railing, guard,
be converted by the user.
and balustrade systems having glass as the major structural
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
component or the infill panel
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3 These test methods can be used to determine whether
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
permanent rails, guards and balustrades having a glass compo-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
nent comply with anticipated performance requirements of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
applicable specifications, codes, and standards.
1.4 Specifically, these test methods cover procedures for
2. Referenced Documents
determining the static strength, impact performance, and post
2.1 ASTM Standards:
breakage retention characteristics of railing systems, guards,
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
and balustrades with a glass component installed in one, two,
E 935 Test Method for Performance of Permanent Metal
three and four side support systems that are fastened to
Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings
concrete,masonry,wood,andmetalaswellasrelatedproducts.
E 1481 Terminology of Railing Systems and Rails for
1.5 No consideration is given in these test methods to any
Buildings
possible deterioration of the railing, guard, or balustrade
E 2025 Test Method for Evaluating Fenestration Compo-
system or their connections and fasteners as resulting from
nents and Assemblies for Resistance to Impact Energies
adverse environmental or in-service conditions. The perfor-
2.2 Other Standards:
mance of special tests covering this aspect may be desirable.
ANSI Z97.1
1.6 These test methods are limited to the application of
16 CFR Part 1201 CPSC
concentrated and linear loads and impact resistance described
herein.Whenever uniformly distributed loads are to be resisted
3. Terminology
by a railing system, guard, or balustrade in accordance with
3.1 Definitions—General terms used in this standard test
governing specifications, codes and standards, the effects of
method are defined in Terminologies E 631 and E 1481. Terms
such loads on the member stresses shall be determined by
common to this standard test method and referenced test
calculation and the corresponding concentrated and linear
methods are defined in the respective document unless defined
loads shall be tested. Should computations make it possible to
herein.
provide the needed information, testing can be employed for
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
verification.
3.2.1 failure load—aload,which,ifplaceduponaspecimen
1.7 These test methods address the capability of glass rails,
or test piece, causes fracture of the glass.
guards, and balustrades in one, two, three and four sided
3.2.2 glazing retention—the property of maintaining the
support systems to continue in their function as a barrier by
glass or glazing material, post breakage, in a system, such that
remaining in the designed framing system after impact or glass
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.56 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Performance of Railing Systems and Rails for Buildings. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved August 1, 2004. Published August 2004. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2353–04
the glass must be held in the framing system with no opening
sufficient to pass a 75 mm (3 in.) solid steel sphere through the
system using a horizontally applied force of 18 N (4.0 lb).
3.2.3 guard rail system—a protective railing system along
the outer edges of locations of an accessible roof, balcony,
landing, platform, or ramp, designed to minimize the probabil-
ity of an accidental fall from the walking surface.
3.2.4 interlayer—a layer of material acting as an adhesive
FIG. 2 Type II: Two-side Support—Single Lite Infill
between lites of glazing, which adds additional performance
attributes to the finished product; for example: impact resis-
tance, solar control, and acoustical insulation.
3.2.5 lite—a term for a single pane (or piece) of glass or
other glazing material.
3.2.6 specifying authority—the design professional respon-
sible for interpreting applicable regulations of authorities
having jurisdiction and considering appropriate site specific
factorstodeterminetheappropriatevaluesusedtocalculatethe
specifieddesignloadandfurnishingotherinformationrequired
FIG. 3 Type II: Two-side Support—Multiple Lite Infill
for performance of specified materials.
3.2.7 stile—one of the upright structural members of a
frame or a framework of bars.
4. Types
4.1 For purposes of these test methods, glass rails, guards,
and balustrade assemblies are classified as types and are
described in 4.1.1 through 4.1.5 and as shown in Figs. 1-8.
4.1.1 Type I—A glass rail, guard, or balustrade assembly
withasinglefullviewglazingmaterialthatisfullycapturedon
all sides (that is, four side support).
FIG. 4 Type III: Point Fixed Glazing System—Infill
4.1.2 Type II—A glass rail, guard, or balustrade assembly
withasinglefullviewormultipleunitsofglazingmaterialthat
are captured on two sides (that is, two side support).
4.1.3 Type III—A glass rail, guard, or balustrade assembly
with a single full view glazing material that is held in place by
a point fixed glazing system, corner brackets or other non-
continuous brace along a portion of the glazing.
4.1.4 Type IV—A glass rail, guard, or balustrade assembly
withasinglefullviewglazingmaterialthatisfullycapturedon
three sides (that is, three side support).
4.1.5 Type V—A glass rail, guard, or balustrade assembly
FIG. 5 Type IV: Three-side Support—Structural
that has a single full view glazing material is fully captured on
only one side (that is, single side support). A decorative or
protective top rail (Fig. 7), or a handrail may or may not be
The supporting and embedding materials shall be in accor-
attached to the glass (Fig. 8), but does not offer structural
dance with intended use. The system or infill material is tested
support to the system.
by applying loads and impacting the glazed portion of the
assembly in the prescribed sequence, as outlined in Table 1.
5. Summary of Test Method
Asymmetrical systems shall be tested from both sides.
5.1 The procedure consists of preparing a specimen in
5.2 Acceptance criteria for performance levels shall be
accordance with the manufacturers or designers specifications.
provided by the specifying authority.Adoption of performance
criteria is a matter for authorities having specific jurisdiction.
6. Significance and Use
6.1 These test methods are intended to provide information
from which applicable design data can be derived for the
performance of glass in rails, guards and balustrade systems as
infill panels that are fastened to concrete, masonry, wood and
metal as well as related products, and to the performance of
glass as the structural element of the rail, guard, or balustrade
FIG. 1 Type I: Four-side Support—Infill system.
E2353–04
7.3.2 The impactor shall consist of the leather bag described
in Fig. 9, a commercial punching bag with its bladder left in
place,oranyotherleatherbagofnominallyidenticalshapeand
size. The bag shall be filled with lead shot of 2.4 6 0.1 mm
diameter (nominal USANo. 71/2 or European No. 7 lead shot)
and taped. After filling with lead shot, the top shall be either
pulled over the metal sleeve and tied with a cord; or twisted
around the threaded eyebolt shaft and tied below the metal
sleeve, or both. To reduce bag damage during testing, the
FIG. 6 Type V: One-side Support—Structural
exterior of the leather bag surface shall be completely covered
with glass filament reinforced pressure sensitive polyester
adhesive tape, 12 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 in.) in width and 0.15
mm (0.006 in.) thick. Tape the entire bag, using three (3) rolls
or 165 m (180 yd) total length, and taping in a diagonal-
overlapping manner. Tape the neck of the bag separately, with
additional glass filament reinforced tape of the same kind. The
total mass of the impactor assembly shall be 45.4 6 0.1 kg
(100 lb 6 4 oz), excluding traction system attachments.
7.3.3 A traction system shall be used which enables the
impactor to be brought into its launch position. The launch
FIG. 7 Type V: One-side Support with Protective Top
position depends on the drop height selected. The traction
Rail—Structural
cable is connected to the impactor traction system by a release
mechanism, with provisions for rotating the impactor.
7.4 Pendulum Impactor:
7.4.1 Apparatus specified in Section 6 of Test Method
E 2025withthespecificationsnotedinsections6.4.2and6.4.3.
7.4.2 Impactor:
7.4.2.1 The impactor shall be a pendulum system made of
steel and capable of delivering horizontal impacts of up to 100
J (74 ft-lbf). The striking end of the impactor shall have a
removable steel hemispherical nose approximately 30 mm
FIG. 8 Type V: One-side Support with Surface Attached / Bolted
(1.25 in.) diameter.
Handrail—Structural
7.4.3 Impact Nose:
7.4.3.1 The impact nose shall be 63 6 5 mm (2.5 6 0.2 in.)
TABLE 1 Test Summary
in diameter and the radial tolerance shall be within 3.2 mm ( ⁄8
Test 1: Test 2: Test 3:
Type
A B C
in.).Thenoseshallbemadeofsteel.Nochips,irregularities,or
Frame Glazing Infill Impact 1 Glazing Infill Impact 2
surface blemishes that may affect the outcome of the impact
I through V A, B, and C Shot Bag Pendulum
shall be present on the impact nose.
A
Tests performed as outlined in Test Method E 935.
B
Tests performed as described in ANSI Z97.1 and 13.3 of this standard.
C
8. Hazards
Tests performed as described in Test Method E 2025 and 13.4 of this
standard.
8.1 Glass breakage may occur during the application of
loads or forces required by the test methods. Take adequate
7. Apparatus
precautions to protect personnel from broken glass.
8.2 Glazing anchorage, glass, and other test specimen com-
7.1 Instrumentation, load and time-measuring devices with
ponents may suddenly fail when loads and forces are applied
an accuracy of 62 % or the full scale shall be incorporated in
during these test methods, causing the assembly to rapidly
the test setups. The scale ranges used shall assure that the
move. Take adequate precautions to protect personnel from
performance levels are within an accuracy of 65%.
rapidly moving weights and test specimen components.
7.2 Load Attachments, brackets, fasteners, or other devices
usedinperformingthesetestsshallbedesignedandattachedso
as to minimize their influence on the test results.
Such as 230 mm (9 in.) diameter by 360 mm (14 in.) high Everlast 4207 (raw,
7.3 Shot Bag, Traction and Release System:
full grain 85-g (3-oz) cowhide) or Everlast 4212 (split 85-g (3-oz) cowhide)
7.3.1 The test apparatus shall be capable of supporting a
available from Everlast Sports, Bronx, NewYork, USA.These are tradenames.This
information is given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an
45.4 kg (100 lb) shot bag and allowing unimpeded swinging of
endorsement of any product named. Equivalent products may be used if they can be
the shot bag from a drop height of 1220 mm (48 in.). The
shown to lead to the same results.
impactor system consists of the impactor, traction, release, and
Such as 3M No. 898 (a tradename), or equal. (See Footnote 2 regarding
suspension devices as described in CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201. tradename).
E2353–04
FIG. 9 Shot Bag Impactor
9. Test Selection, Sampling, Test Specimens, and shall have a minimum of three posts or have a minimum linear
Installation length of 3 m (10 ft). Each unique attachment scenario is to be
tested.
9.1 Test Selection:
9.3.2 Multiple types of infill panels can be qualified within
9.1.1 The only tests that need to be performed are those that
one test provided each panel is individually glazed into the
are considered necessary to provide information required by
system prior to the start of the test. No substitution of infill
the requesting party, testing agency and regulatory body
product is permitted once testing has commenced.
involved.
9.4 Installation:
9.2 Sampling:
9.4.1 Install the glass rail, guard, or balustrade system being
9.2.1 Test a minimum of three representative replicate
tested in accordance with the manufacturers or designers
specimens of each type of system.
specifications.
9.2.2 Sequential testing of the same specimen is permissible
provided no breakage of any component occurs during the
10. Preparation of Apparatus
previously performed tests.
9.3 Test Specimens: 10.1 Mount the glass rail, guard, or balustrade assembly in
9.3.1 The specimen installation, including the post spacing, accordance with the manufacturers written installation instruc-
shall be the same as the actual field installation. The specimen tions or as to be constructed.
E2353–04
10.2 Glazing shall be mounted so as to apply impact from bearing plate a maximum of 100 mm (4 in.) long (see Fig. 10)
the side of the upper floor level. and applying the test load and forces at a rate n
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