Installation of Glass and Glazing
What this domain tests
Installation of Glass and Glazing tests setting methods, clearances, setting blocks, gaskets, pressure plates, and structural silicone work. The exam expects you to protect the glass from point loading and to follow the glazing system's intended drainage and movement path.
Core rules
- Glass must not bear directly on metal. Use setting blocks of the specified hardness and size, typically located at the quarter points of the lite width, with edge blocks where required to control walking.
- Maintain the manufacturer's edge clearance and face clearance. Glass edges are the weakest zone; nicks or chips can start breakage.
- Wet glazing uses sealant or glazing tape; dry glazing uses gaskets and pressure plates. Do not mix systems or substitute gaskets.
- Tighten pressure plates evenly and to the specified torque. Over-tightening can crush gaskets or break glass; under-tightening leaves a loose lite.
- For structural silicone glazing, use only approved silicone, verify surface preparation, and allow the specified cure before handling or loading.
Worked example
A 1/2 in. insulating glass unit is set into a storefront pocket. Check the pocket width and depth, install setting blocks at quarter points, place the unit with suction cups, insert edge blocks, install the pressure plate with a uniform gap, torque in sequence, then snap on the cover. Confirm weep holes remain open.
Traps that cost marks
Setting glass on the frame, placing blocks at the corners, over-torquing pressure plates, using the wrong gasket, and blocking weep holes are frequent errors. Also, do not assume a structural silicone joint can be walked on or loaded immediately after tooling.