James Allen FIConstM’s Post

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Glass Safety Risk Assessor at AITCo Consulting

Did you know that ALL glass impact tests (BS EN 12600) are done in a temperature controlled environment, ALL glass test pieces are the same size (865mm x 1930mm) & MOST CRITICALLY, the test pieces are FULLY FRAMED ON ALL 4 SIDES which is clamped into a steel frame which is then bolted to the concrete floor. The glass panel is ALWAYS struck dead centre because for the glass panel, this is the less stress that the pane is going to feel due to the dissipation of energy across a larger glass surface before it reaches the outside edge. The glass is allowed to move (Flex) more. So any other means of fitting glass into a building have never been tested to BS EN 12600. The same is for curved glass. There is no impact test for curved glass because the test result CANNOT be accurated due to the impactor sliding off. So how does curved glass every make it into a building where they are claiming that it meets an impact test that doesn't exist? It's a worry fact that glass impact testing (BS EN 12600) only occurs on flat pieces of glass and where ALL 4 sides are held firmly in a frame. So how many other ways of fixing glass into a building are there? 1. Bottom edge fixed 2. Bottom and top edge fixed 3. Left and right hand edge fixed All 3 can have various fixing methods too with metal "U" Channel, metal "D" clamps and metal bolts. Did you know that none of the above fixing methods are tested with BS EN 12600? Are you sure that the glass installation you have in the building you work in, sleep in etc is correct for the scenario it has been designed, specified and installed to?

Nick Haughton

Head of Marketing | Sapphire Balconies

2mo

Some interesting points here James. The other test you used to see a lot of variants was where base channel systems were tested for line load. Normally testing a line load would be with glass installed in the channel, however using steel sheet instead of glass has been done quite a few times too. What it means is test you get a huge amount less deflection than if it were glass, meaning the deflection limit is met for the line load with a much weaker base channel. Surely this could compromise safety and lead to no compliance?

Antony Brophy

Digital Construction Specialist

2mo

I did know this 👍 but only because I learned it from the expert……. That’s you by the way 👏🏻

Gerry Sharpe FACQP

Chief Executive Officer ACQP | Construction Quality Management

2mo

Sometimes testing in controlled conditions is so vastly different from real time conditions on site that it begs the question is the test compliant or not.

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