GLASS SPECIFICATIONS from
http://www.fordfestiva.com/service/servglas.htm
Federal Government establishes requirements for many products that the public uses on a daily basis in order to make sure prudent steps are taken to ensure the safety of the public. The automotive industry is no exception and there are numerous requirements and standards that must be met before a vehicle can ever reach the road. The glass that is in your car has a series of test requirements and each piece of glass must be trademarked to show it meets these regulations.
A couple of the key characters to look for in the trademark are the "DOT" and "AS" numbers. The DOT number identifies the manufacturer of the glass, and every company that produces glass for sale within the U.S. must have a number registered with the Department of Transportation., the PPG number is DOT 18. Another important item is the "AS" number which indicates what series of tests that part has been qualified to. The "AS" is the abbreviation for American National Standard that is required in section 6 of the ANSI Z26.1-1997 specification.
To provide a general summary, the windshield of your car will carry an AS1 designation while the other pieces of glass will be AS2. In sunroofs, SUVs and vans the AS3 designation would apply to the deep tint glass that is often used in these vehicles. While not a substitute for the complete text of the applicable legal requirements, the following sections will give you some details as to the requirements for the most common "AS" numbers used.
Safety glazing materials in motor vehicles shall comply with the applicable requirements listed in this section.
Test Number:
1. Luminous transmittance
2. Humidity test
3. Boil test
4. Bake test
5. Impact, ball, 10 ft (3.05m)
6. Light stability
7. Fracture Test
8. Impact, shot bag, 8ft (2.44m) 29. Abrasion resistance
9. Impact, dart, 30ft (9.14m)
10. Impact, dart
11. Impact dart, 10 ft. 3.05m)
12. Impact, ball, 30 ft. (9.14m)
13. Impact, ball
14. Deviation and distortion
18. Abrasion resistance
26. Penetration resistance
28. Temperature Change
30. Abrasion resistance
AS1 Safety Glazing Material for Use Anywhere in Motor Vehicle:
Safety glazing materials that comply with the following may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 15, 16, and 26; OR Multiple glazed units, Class 1, the individual component units of which comply with the set of tests designated in (a), and the assembled unit of which complies with Tests 1, 2, and 15; OR Multiple glazed units, Class 2, that comply with Tests 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, and 26, 28, 33, and 34 may be used in windshields.
AS2 Safety Glazing Material for Use Anywhere in Motor Vehicle Except Windshields:
Safety glazing materials that comply with the following may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle except windshields: Tests 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 12 and 18; OR Tests 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 18; or Multiple glazed units, Class 1, the individual component units of which comply with one or another of the sets of tests immediately above designated; and the assembled unit of which complies with Tests 1 and 2; OR Multiple glazed units, Class 2, that comply with Tests 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 12, 14 and 18; or Tests 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, and 18.
AS3 Safety Glazing Material for Use Anywhere in Motor Vehicle Except Windshields and Certain Specified Locations:
Safety glazing materials that comply with the tests listed in (a), (b), (c), or (d) below may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle except in windshields and in the following locations at levels requisite for driving visibility. Buses, Trucks, and Truck Tractors. Glazing of windows to the immediate right and left of the driver and in rearmost window if the latter is used for driving visibility. Passenger Automobiles and Taxicabs. Glazing of all windows, including rear window, all interior partitions, and all apertures created for window purposes. a) Tests 1, 3, 4, 9, 12 and 18; OR Test 1, 6, 7, 8 and 18; OR Multiple glazed units, Class 1, the individual component units of which comply with one or another of the sets of tests designated in (a) and (b), and the assembled unit of which complies with Test 1; OR Multiple glazed units, Class 2, that comply with Tests 1, 3, 5, 9, 12, 14 and 18; or Tests 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, and 18.; Where Test 18 is specified in (a), (b), (c), and (d) above, it shall be waived as not applicable for obscure safety glazing, either textured or with a translucent coating or interlayer, in applications such as rest rooms of buses, trailers, campers, or motor homes.
Article Author: PPG
[ October 27, 2002: Message edited by: Lynn Larsen ]