Wire Mesh Glass, or simply Wired Glass, is common in many schools because at one time it was the only fire-rated see-through glazing material available. The wire mesh embedded in the glass could hold the glass in place during a fire, even if the glass was shattered due to thermal stresses. However, Wired Glass is very weak – less than half the strength of non-wired annealed glass of comparable thickness. Wired Glass is easily broken and can cause serious injuries on impact due to its propensity to create dangerous glass shards and jagged break patterns due to the wire.
In 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission established standards for impact resistance in glass. Because, at that time, Wired Glass was the only product that could meet the fire resistance requirements for vision panels, it was granted an exemption from the impact requirements. As a result of several lawsuits brought by people seriously injured by broken Wired Glass, all new installation of glazing in high-impact areas of schools is now required to be impact resistant.
But what to do about all that existing Wired Glass? According the New York State Education Department Office of Facilities Planning (NYSED Facilities & Planning Newsletter 73 – March 2006):
“We strongly recommend that all existing wire glass locations be evaluated for potential impact and injury. There are several alternatives available to remedy locations determined to be at risk, such as replacement with impact and fire resistant materials, coating the glass with specialty films and installing protective bars or railings.” [emphasis added]
Madico SafetyShield® 800 Safety & Security Window Film makes Wired Glass safer. By providing the glass with added resistance against impacts, Madico safety & security window film makes it less likely that the glass will shatter in the event of an accidental or deliberate impact.
In the event the Wired Glass was to shatter, the safety & security window film will hold broken glass fragments together and in place, reducing or eliminating the risk of injury as a result of dangerous glass shards and jagged break patterns.
Madico SafetyShield® 800 Safety & Security Window Film will bring Wired Glass up to safety glazing standards, CPSC 16 CFR, Part 1201, Category II when installed in Daylight fashion.
[…] that “all existing wire glass locations be evaluated for potential impact and injury.” [see: Wire Mesh Glass Post] Why not evaluate ALL glass for potential impact and injury? Why not also assess the potential […]