Two proposals aimed at closing a loophole that contributed to the trend of windowless dormitories and other habitable spaces advanced at the International Code Council Public Comments Hearings in Hartford, Connecticut, April 18-24.
The National Glass Association, working alongside the Glazing Industry Code Committee, the American Institute of Architects, the Aluminum Extruders Council and Professor Juan Miro of UT Austin, has been a strong supporter of both. The proposals passed the first round of the hearings in October 2025.
G143-25 addresses natural light in Group R occupancies such as dorms and apartments while G144-25 addresses natural light in classrooms.
“Together, they represent a practical, technical effort to modernize code requirements around occupant well-being, daylighting and building performance,” wrote NGA’s Urmilla Jokhu-Sowell, vice president of Advocacy and Technical Services, on LinkedIn.
The online governmental consensus vote, which runs May 8-22, is the next step in these proposals. “We are encouraged by the public hearing outcome and will stay engaged through the final phase of the process,” says Sowell.
Sowell thanked Lisa Heschong, whose daylighting and “right to light” work helped shape the thought process behind these proposals, as well as thanking the technical and advocacy contributors who championed this effort.
“This progress reflects strong collaboration across the industry,” Sowell wrote. “NGA has been proud to work alongside GICC, The American Institute of Architects, the Aluminum Extruders Council, and Prof. Juan Miro of UT Austin, to move these proposals forward and keep attention on an issue that directly affects how people live, play, learn, work and heal.”