GLASS-GARD’S ROLL IN SEISMIC MITIGATION
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Glass-Gard safety film is used in seismic mitigation to help reduce human injury due to broken glass caused by seismic activity. During the Mexico City earthquake there was an observed failure rate of 17% of glazing in the affected buildings.
Windows under cyclic racking loads caused by earthquake forces can cause glass to break into shards and potentially harm people not to mention make exit ways unsafe during evacuation. |
The potential damage of broken windows includes glass literally exploding out of their frames, sending deadly shards of glass flying through the air like daggers. Glass fragments following the Mexico City earthquake were found embedded in floors and desks.
HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH GLASS-GARD
Glass-Gard is a polyester based product available in a water clear style or a number of colours and shades. The clear Glass-Gard offers an invisible safety component to glass, which also reduces 99% of U.V. rays. Coloured versions of Glass-Gard give additional properties such as heat and glare reduction.
STANDARDS FOR SEISMIC TESTING Presently there are no standards for seismic testing. However, the Association of Industrial Metallizers Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL), is looking to accomplish this.
AIMCAL is a non-profit international trade organization, which serves at the global forum for the flexible metallizing, coating and laminating industry by providing resources, services and information. AIMCAL collects and distributes information to increase industry knowledge, while fostering an environment that builds relationships and a spirit of cooperation between member companies worldwide.
Manufacturers of window film may independently produce testing standards, however they are not to be regarded as seismic testing accepted by the industry.
Although there are no standards, guidelines have been created by TBG Seismic Consultants Ltd. in collaboration with the University of British Columbia which are the only published guidelines available in North America. |
GLASS-GARD SEISMIC INSTALLATIONS
Glass-Gard Safety/Security film can be found all over British Columbia for seismic mitigation. Literally, hundreds of thousands of square feet of glass at our public schools and government buildings have been treated with Glass-Gard safety film in B.C. From the Mainland to Vancouver Island, Glass-Gard is trusted to protect them. The following list is not complete but is a sampling of where buildings have been protected with Glass-Gard.
Victoria City Hall
Victoria General Hospital
Capilano College, North Vancouver
Fort Langley National Historic Site, Fort Langley
Corporation of the Township of Langley Municipal Hall
School District #42 Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows
School District #62 Sooke in Victoria
School District #36 Surrey
School District #61 Greater Victoria
Parks Canada Fort Langley Corp.
School District #68 Nanaimo – Ladysmith
School District #48 Howe Sound in Squamish
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School District #35 Langley
School District #63 - 23 schools included:
Royal Oak Middle School
Parklands Senior Secondary
Sidney Elementary
Beaver Lake Elementary
North Saanich Elementary
Saanichton Elementary
Stelly's High School
Keating Elementary
Cordova Bay Elementary
Lochside Elementary
Bayside Middle School |
..and everyday Glass-Gard is being installed on our our public schools, government buildings, condominiums and homes. |
