Solar glare control

Though bright light during the day is conducive to good health, uneven levels of brightness in the visual field can cause visual fatigue and discomfort as the eyes rapidly attempt to adjust to these differences.

This feature prescribes a variety of solutions for effectively managing disruptive glare emanating from windows, including shading designs, baffles, controls and dimmable glass.

Part 1: Wall Construction Specifications

The following spaces, if present, have interior partition walls which meet the Noise Insulation Class (NIC) described:

a.⁹⁰ Enclosed offices: minimum NIC of 35 when a sound masking system is present, or of 40 when no sound masking system is used.

b.⁹⁰ Teleconference rooms: minimum NIC of 53 on walls adjoining private offices, conference rooms or other teleconference rooms.

c. Conference rooms: minimum NIC of 53 on walls adjoining private offices, teleconference rooms or other conference rooms.

Part 2: Daylight Management

At least one of the following is required for all glazing greater than 2.1 m [7 ft] above the floor:

a.⁸⁰ Interior window shading or blinds that are controllable by the occupants or set on a timer.

b. External shading systems that are controllable by the occupants or set on a timer.

c. Interior light shelves to reflect sunlight toward the ceiling.

d. A film of micro-mirrors on the window that reflects sunlight toward the ceiling.

e. Variable opacity glazing, such as electrochromic glass, which can reduce transmissivity by 90% or more.

Part 3: Spectator Sun Protection

At least one of the following requirements must be met:

a. 50% of all seats are directly under cover to protect spectators from direct sunlight and other weather elements.

b. Space is provided for 100% of spectators to seek refuge from the sun and other weather elements.

Muscular

Nervous

Skeletal

	Core & Shell	Tenant Improvement	New Construction
Part 1: Wall Construction Specifications	-	O	O
Part 2: Daylight Management	O	P	P
Part 3: Spectator Sun Protection	-	-	-

	Commercial Kitchen	Schools	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Wall Construction Specifications	-	-	-	-	-
Part 2: Daylight Management	P	P	-	P	P
Part 3: Spectator Sun Protection	-	-	-	-	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	Annotated Documents	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design) Wall Construction Specifications	Architect
PART 2 (Design) Daylight Management	Architect		Spot Check

Show Standard Citations

80

**U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. March 2014, Washington, D.C., pp. 135-136.**
56.1.a	The U.S. GSA's Facilities Standard for the Public Buildings Service Tier 1 High Performance rating requires view-preserving blinds.
56.2.a	The U.S. GSA's Facilities Standard for the Public Buildings Service Tier 1 High Performance rating requires view-preserving blinds.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

56. Solar glare control