12 days of window film
22 December 2014
At this time of the year the carol ‘12 days of Christmas’ rings in our ears. Twelve gifts given by my ‘true love’ including items that are not at all relevant today, after all, who needs a partridge in a pear tree?
But here are twelve very relevant thoughts for Christmas explaining why anyone responsible for a building should consider the role of Durable Limited, Glazing Risk Assessments and the application of window film.Thought 1: Glass breaks. When ordinary annealed glass breaks it creates sharp shards that are potentially lethal and certainly dangerous. Given that according to the Building Research Establishment there were more than 58,000 glass related accidents requiring hospital treatment in one year, there is clearly a lot of annealed glass out there.
Thought 2: Glass mystery. Most building managers do not know what glass is installed. Unfortunately, should an accident happen, ignorance is not an excuse under the law. A simple inspection can establish not only what is installed it can also highlight any potential area of non-compliance with the law.
Thought 3: Regulations. Managers and H&S operatives need to know about the regulations surrounding glass. Durable offers a very simple booklet explaining all this which is free.
Thought 4: The penalties. Companies can be fined, even closed down if there is a safety issue. Companies can be sued but so can people with the responsibility for safety. So the fact that a Glazing Risk Assessment mitigates that risk is a big factor.
Thought 5: Blast protection. For any organisation in cities, near military buildings, and in fact implicated in any way with potential terrorist attacks, glazing is an issue. In the event of an explosion glass becomes the most dangerous of building fabric as it breaks easy and creates flying fragments that kill and maim. Window film has been used extensively to strengthen glass to contain the threat.
Thought 6: Extended threats. Sony was forced to pull the release of ‘The Interview’ following threats of extreme terrorist activity targeted at cinemas. This illustrates how anywhere can become implicated in issues of global unrest.
Thought 7: Glare happens. That more and more people work at VDUs is obvious. That glare can make it difficult to see detail on a screen is also clear. Window film can reduce glare making it easier to see a screen, a VDU and even a plasma screen or educational whiteboard.
Thought 8: Computer Vision Syndrome. The result of glare on VDUs of all kinds is more than a discomfort. The American Optometric Association has linked glare on VDUs to headaches, eyestrain, leading to illness, reduction in productivity and even absenteeism.
Thought 9: Heat gain. Nine of the ten warmest summers have happened in the last 20 years. Buildings have got hotter with glazing often the reason as glass does not filter out heat. Window film, and modern window film is practically transparent, can reflect the majority of the heat away.
Thought 10: Keeping it cool. Many Facility Managers allow the heat gain through glazing to happen whilst turning up the air conditioning to compensate without considering the energy implications. It takes three times the energy to cool air than it does to heat it.
Thought 11. Carbon Footprint. The energy required to cool air adds considerably to the carbon footprint on most air conditioned buildings when the heat could have been rejected in the first place.
Thought 12. All covered. Many of the issues outlined above can be covered by one installation of window film. In any case by calling Durable in you can have a reassuring conversation without obligation about all the issues relating to installed glass. Visit www.durable.co.uk for details.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 27/10/2014 - The dangers from retail glazing
- 06/10/2014 - Toughened glass may not be as tough as you think
- 06/10/2014 - Guard against spontaneous breakage of glass
- 07/02/2011 - Durable offers free help on Regulation 14
- 07/02/2011 - Durable offers free help on Regulation 14
- 16/06/2010 - When it comes to windows is your organisation a carbon footprint...
- 13/05/2010 - Are you a summer carbon saint or sinner?
- 13/05/2010 - Cooler workplace for free
- 13/05/2010 - Pay-back time for FMs
- 10/04/2008 - Heat and glare
- 10/04/2008 - Heat and glare for Hospitals
- 10/04/2008 - Heat and glare for Schools
- 10/04/2008 - Carbon footprint
- 10/04/2008 - Energy loss & carbon footprint for Hospitals
- 10/04/2008 - Energy loss & carbon footprint for Education
- 13/03/2008 - The problems with windows
- 08/01/2008 - Found in thousands of schools but is window film being used to maximum effect? Part 3.
- 08/01/2008 - Found in thousands of schools but is window film being used to maximum effect? Part 2.
- 08/01/2008 - Found in thousands of schools but is window film being used to maximum effect? Part 1.
