InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel
InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel

IS 10439 : 1983Code of practice for patent glazing

PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
AAMA SKY-1 · AS 1288 · EN 13830
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMArchitectural · Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues4InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 10439:1983 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for patent glazing. This standard provides a code of practice for patent glazing systems, which are non-load bearing systems of glazing bars and glass used for roofing and wall cladding. It covers material selection, design criteria including wind loads and water drainage, and guidelines for workmanship and installation.

Code of practice for patent glazing

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
AAMA SKY-1-2017 · FGIA - Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (formerly AAMA), USAAS 1288:2021 · Standards Australia, AustraliaEN 13830:2015+A1:2020 · CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe
Typically used with
IS 2553IS 733IS 1285IS 2835
Also on InfraLens for IS 10439
4Key values2Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! This standard has been officially withdrawn by BIS. However, its principles are still valuable as a reference in the absence of a direct Indian Standard replacement for traditional patent glazing.
! The most critical design aspects are ensuring adequate water drainage and providing for thermal expansion and contraction of the glazing bars and glass to prevent leakage and failure.
! Modern facade designs often use more advanced curtain walling or structural glazing systems, which are covered by other national or international standards.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4MaterialsCl. 5Design ConsiderationsCl. 5.2Wind LoadCl. 5.4DrainageCl. 5.5Thermal MovementCl. 6Workmanship and Installation
Pulled from IS 10439:1983. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
glassaluminiumsteelglazing barssealants

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
BS 5516-1:2004+A1:2006BSI - British Standards Institution, UK
HighWithdrawn
Patent glazing and sloping glazing for buildings. Code of practice for design and installation of sloping and vertical patent glazing
A direct UK equivalent, covering the same specific system type (patent glazing).
AAMA SKY-1-2017FGIA - Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (formerly AAMA), USA
HighCurrent
Standard Practice for Skylight and Sloped Glazing
Covers design, materials, and installation of sloped glazing and skylights, the US equivalent terminology.
AS 1288:2021Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Glass in buildings - Selection and installation
Comprehensive standard for all building glazing, with specific, stringent rules for overhead/sloped glazing.
EN 13830:2015+A1:2020CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe
MediumCurrent
Curtain walling - Product standard
Covers the performance and testing of curtain wall systems, which can include stick-built glazing similar to patent glazing.
Key Differences
≠IS 10439 is prescriptive and lacks specific performance testing requirements. Modern standards (e.g., AAMA SKY-1, EN 13830) are performance-based, mandating rigorous testing for air permeability, water penetration, and structural load resistance with specific classification levels.
≠For overhead glazing, IS 10439 recommends wired glass for safety. Modern standards like AS 1288 have mandatory requirements for laminated safety glass to prevent occupant injury from falling shards in case of breakage.
≠The Indian code references a very outdated wind load standard (IS 875-1964). International equivalents reference sophisticated, modern codes like ASCE 7 (USA), EN 1991-1-4 (Europe), or AS/NZS 1170.2 (Australia), which include more detailed considerations for topography, building shape, and pressure coefficients.
≠Modern standards extensively cover thermal performance (U-value) and condensation resistance, often requiring thermal breaks in aluminum frames. IS 10439 has no significant provisions for energy efficiency or condensation control.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the fundamental principle that the glazing system must safely resist and transfer environmental loads (wind, snow, self-weight) to the primary building structure.
≈Both IS 10439 and international standards impose maximum deflection limits on glazing bars under load to maintain glass integrity and weather tightness, even though the specific values may differ.
≈All codes require the specification of appropriate materials for glazing bars, glass, and sealants, emphasizing durability and corrosion resistance suitable for the exposure conditions.
≈The principle of providing channels and weep holes for draining any water that bypasses the primary seals is a common design requirement in both the Indian standard and modern international codes to ensure long-term system performance.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Glazing Bar Deflection Limit (Normal to glass)Shall not exceed 1/175 of the span.The lesser of Span/175 or 20 mm.BS 5516-1:2004
Safety Glazing for Roofs/OverheadRecommends 6 mm wired cast glass.Mandatory use of laminated safety glass (unless specific exceptions for small, fully-supported toughened glass panels are met).AS 1288:2021
Referenced Wind Load StandardIS 875-1964EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1: Wind actions)EN 13830:2015
Water Penetration RequirementPrescriptive guidance on drainage. No specified performance test.Mandatory laboratory test (e.g., ASTM E331). Test pressure is typically 15% of positive design wind pressure, with a min. of 140 Pa (2.9 psf).AAMA SKY-1-2017
Typical Aluminium Alloy for ExtrusionsIS Designation 64430 (HE30) from IS 733-1975.EN AW-6060 or EN AW-6063.EN 13830 / EN 755-2
Glass Edge ClearanceNot less than 3 mm.Typically 6 mm (1/4 inch) or as required by structural analysis.GANA Glazing Manual (referenced by US standards)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values4

Quick Reference Values
Maximum deflection of glazing bar under wind loadSpan/175 or 20 mm, whichever is less
Minimum recommended slope for sloped glazing5 degrees (approx 1 in 12)
Maximum recommended unsupported length of glass pane2.5 m
Minimum bearing of glass on glazing bar10 mm
Key Formulas
pd = k1 * k2 * k3 * Vb^2 — Design wind pressure calculation (reference to IS 875-3)
Z = (w*L^2)/8*fb — Required section modulus of glazing bar

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Minimum Thickness of Glass for Rectangular Panes
Table 2 - Properties of Glazing Bar Materials
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Design Considerations
Clause 5.2 - Wind Load
Clause 5.4 - Drainage
Clause 5.5 - Thermal Movement
Clause 6 - Workmanship and Installation

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 2553:1990Safety Glass - Part 1: General
→
IS 733:1983Wrought Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Plate, ...
→
IS 1285:2020Wrought Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Extrude...
→
IS 2835:2009Flat Transparent Sheet Glass
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is 'patent glazing'?+
It's a system where glass is supported in proprietary extruded metal bars (often aluminium), typically with a dry-glazing method without wet sealants like putty.
What is the primary load this code helps design for?+
Wind load is the primary environmental load. The code refers to IS 875 (Part 3) for its calculation.
What is the maximum permissible deflection for a glazing bar?+
The deflection should not exceed the span divided by 175, or 20 mm, whichever is less, to prevent damage to the glass and maintain weather-tightness.
Does this code apply to structural silicone glazing (SSG)?+
No, this code is for mechanically supported glazing systems. SSG, where glass is bonded to a frame with silicone adhesive, is a different technology.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋
QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.
Browse all 300 templates →