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To help ensure accessibility of fresh air and a connection with the outdoors for those with physical disabilities, windows capable of meeting specific operating force and motion requirements are being more commonly specified in the United States. What do design professionals need to know about meeting or exceeding various universal access requirements? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of basic acoustic terminology, exposure levels, and the variability of sound transmission class and outdoor/indoor transmission class (STC/OITC) testing procedures is necessary to determine the required acoustic system. Design features such as damping, air space, and mass can improve acoustical performance for rigidly supported airtight windows. The lack of commercially available, validated computer modeling acoustic tools makes prediction of performance inexact, often making involvement of an expert consultant advisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of accessibility to fresh air and a connection to the outdoors for people with physical disabilities, and how operable windows help in meeting these requirements in skilled nursing and personal care facilities, family dwellings, and other facilities. It focuses on the need of making windows according to specifications from International Code Council/American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI) A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

The article focuses on the move of manufacturers to design curtain wall and operable vents with triple glazing to increase stringency of model energy codes and zero-carbon sustainability goals. It says that systems designed for triple glazing help achieve the needed low-U-factors for the buildings. It mentions that low U-factors can be achieved with suspended coated film (SCF) technology insulating glass (IG) units without added weight. Moreover, the occurrence of heat transfer is discussed.

Whether the energy-efficiency goals of a new construction or renovation project are modest or approaching net near-zero-energy performance, an integrated approach between many disciplines is required. Windows, curtain wall, and the rest of the building envelope are important in achieving those goals. Occupants value views, light, and connection to the outdoors, and unwanted condensation must be avoided. Energy-modeling tools offer the design team convenient and accurate ways of assessing the impact of their design decisions on energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]