2110.1 Scope. This section covers the empirical requirements for nonload-bearing glass unit masonry elements in exterior or interior walls.

2110.1.1 Limitations. Solid or hollow approved glass block shall not be used in fire walls, party walls, fire barriers or fire partitions, or for load-bearing construction. Such blocks shall be erected with mortar and reinforcement in metal channel- type frames, structural frames, masonry or concrete recesses, embedded panel anchors as provided for both exterior and interior walls or other approved joint materials. Wood strip framing shall not be used in walls required to have a fire-resistance rating by other provisions of this code.

Exceptions:

1.Glass-block assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than ³/₄ hour shall be permitted as opening protectives in accordance with Section 715 in fire barriers and fire partitions that have a required fire-resistance rating of 1 hour or less and do not enclose exit stairways or exit passageways.

2.Glass-block assemblies as permitted in Section 404.5, Exception 2.

2110.2 Units. Hollow or solid glass-block units shall be standard or thin units.

2110.2.1 Standard units. The specified thickness of standard units shall be at least 3 ⁷/₈ inches (98 mm).

2110.2.2 Thin units. The specified thickness of thin units shall be 3 ¹/₈ inches (79 mm) for hollow units or 3 inches (76 mm) for solid units.

2110.3 Panel size.

2110.3.1 Exterior standard-unit panels. The maximum area of each individual exterior standard-unit panel shall be 144 square feet (13.4 m²) when the design wind pressure is 20 psf (958 N/m²). The maximum panel dimension between structural supports shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) in width or 20 feet (6096 mm) in height. The panel areas are permitted to be adjusted in accordance with Figure 2110.3.1 for other wind pressures.

2110.3.2 Exterior thin-unit panels. The maximum area of each individual exterior thin-unit panel shall be 85 square feet (7.9 m²). The maximum dimension between structural supports shall be 15 feet (4572 mm) in width or 10 feet (3048 mm) in height. Thin units shall not be used in applications where the design wind pressure exceeds 20 psf (958 N/m²).

2110.3.3 Interior panels. The maximum area of each individual standard-unit panel shall be 250 square feet (23.2 m²). The maximum area of each thin-unit panel shall be 150 square feet (13.9 m²). The maximum dimension between structural supports shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) in width or 20 feet (6096 mm) in height.

2110.3.4 Solid units. The maximum area of solid glass-block wall panels in both exterior and interior walls shall not be more than 100 square feet (9.3 m²).

2110.3.5 Curved panels. The width of curved panels shall conform to the requirements of Sections 2110.3.1, 2110.3.2 and 2110.3.3, except additional structural supports shall be provided at locations where a curved section joins a straight section, and at inflection points in multicurved walls.

2110.4 Support.

2110.4.1 General requirements. Glass unit masonry panels shall be isolated so that in-plane loads are not imparted to the panel.

2110.4.2 Vertical. Maximum total deflection of structural members supporting glass unitmasonry shall not exceed ^l/₆₀₀.

2110.4.2.1 Support on wood construction. Glass unit masonry having an installed weight of 40 psf (195 kg/m²) or less and a maximum height of 12 feet (3658 mm) shall be permitted to be supported on wood construction.

2110.4.2.2 Expansion joint. A vertical expansion joint in glass unit masonry shall be provided to isolate the glass unit masonry supported by wood construction from that  supported by other types of construction.

2110.4.3 Lateral. Glass unit masonry panels more than one unit wide or one unit high shall be laterally supported along their tops and sides. Lateral support shall be provided by panel anchors along the top and sides spaced not more than 16 inches (406 mm) o.c. or by channel-type restraints. Glass unit masonry panels shall be recessed at least 1 inch (25 mm) within channels and chases. Channel-type restraints shall be oversized to accommodate expansion material in the opening and packing and sealant between the framing restraints and the glass unit masonry perimeter units. Lateral supports for glass unit masonry panels shall be designed to resist applied loads, or a minimum of 200 pounds per lineal feet (plf) (2919 N/m) of panel, whichever is greater.

Exceptions:

1.Lateral support at the top of glass unit masonry panels that are no more than one unit wide shall not be required.

2.Lateral support at the sides of glass unit masonry panels that are no more than one unit high shall not be required.

2110.4.3.1 Single unit panels. Single unit glass unit masonry panels shall conform to the requirements of Section 2110.4.3, except lateral support shall not be provided by panel anchors.

2110.5 Expansion joints. Glass unit masonry panels shall be provided with expansion joints along the top and sides at structural supports. Expansion joints shall have sufficient thickness to accommodate displacements of the supporting structure, but shall not be less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in thickness. Expansion joints shall be entirely free of mortar or other debris and shall be filled with resilient material. The sills of glass-block panels shall be coated with approved water-based asphaltic emulsion, or other elastic waterproofing material, prior to laying the first mortar course.

2110.6 Mortar. Mortar for glass unit masonry shall comply with Section 2103.8.

2110.7 Reinforcement. Glass unit masonry panels shall have horizontal joint reinforcement spaced not more than 16 inches (406 mm) on center, located in the mortar bed joint, and extending the entire length of the panel but not across expansion joints. Longitudinal wires shall be lapped a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) at splices. Joint reinforcement shall be placed in the bed joint immediately below and above openings in the panel. The reinforcement shall have not less than two parallel longitudinal wires of size W1.7 (MW11), and have welded cross wires of size W1.7 (MW11).