More and more people are starting to call for Georgian Wired Glass (or “GW glass”) to be banned in the UK due to safety concerns. The US banned wired glass in 2006 and Canada has removed wired glass from its national building standards.To get more news about wire mesh laminated glass, you can visit boegger.net official website.
With new products such as Plasiax™ Wire offering a safer alternative whilst retaining your visual heritage, it could be time to leave Georgian Wired Glass in the past.Georgian Wired Glass is sometimes also known as ‘Safety Glass’, although this name isn’t particularly accurate (more on this later). Essentially it is glass manufactured with wire mesh embedded into it to prevent it from shattering and breaking whilst also increasing its fire rating.
Georgian Wired Glass is weak, it’s weaker than ordinary float glass of the same thickness and it’s widely considered to be unsafe by engineering and glass experts. These experts tend to agree that – despite its ability to withstand heat – wired glass is weaker on impact than regular glass and is an unwise choice in high-traffic areas.
American television broadcast company CBS reported on the dangers of wired glass during an evening news show, mentioning an aspiring basketball player who, after attempting to block a shot, ran straight into a wired glass window and put his hand through it. His injuries subsequently ended his basketball career as he lost the full use of his hand.
A Canadian news station also reported on the dangers of wired glass after an investigation into its supposed ‘superior’ protection found that it may not offer superior protection after all.
The wire does not make the glass stronger, in fact, it can do the exact opposite. It actually weakens the glass and makes it easier to break. All the wire does is hold the glass in place, which in some circumstances can make it even more dangerous than it would have been without the wire mesh. Once broken, ordinary glass falls away, however, Georgian Wired Glass holds the shards in contact with the flesh and very serious injuries can be caused when the victim attempts to pull their arm back out. This is quite scary considering that it’s mostly used in schools and public places.
Canadian news website rdnewsNOW published a story in 2017 about a student who was severely injured by wired glass after pushing open a wired-glass door. In this case, both arms broke through the glass resulting in lacerations and damage to an artery. Thankfully, this individual managed a full recovery but this is one of many stories that highlight the confusing nature of referring to wired glass as ‘Safety Glass’.
Georgian Wired Glass is also heavy, which makes it difficult to transport and handle on site when fitting. It’s difficult to cut and requires special tools and it can be dangerous to work with due to sharp edges and exposed wires.
| By | buzai232 |
| Added | Mar 18 '21, 01:33AM |
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