Reports of manifestly inadequate” toughened safety glass

[Bob Anderson IIA]

Glass installed in many Australian buildings could be extremely dangerous according to submissions to the Senate inquiry.

Nathan Munz, a specialist glass manufacturer, believes “manifestly inadequate” toughened safety glass is being fitted in thousands of homes and public buildings every week.

He claims the problem is with the Australian Standard, which he says needs to be more stringent.

“The current standard allows the certification of glass that forms long, dangerous pieces, which, if they pierce a person’s body, can be fatal,” he told a public hearing of the inquiry.

“Toughened safety glass, by definition, is required to break into small, relatively harmless cuboid particles.”

Leon Jacob, of consulting engineer Jacob & Associates, believes “dangerously thin” glass is being installed in buildings.

“We are putting in glass which is fundamentally too weak,” he said.

Dr Munz tells Insurance News the glass strength situation is serious and the current standard inadequate.

“If you have a windy day there is a propensity for it to break. In commercial buildings there are very large pieces of glass and this is a major concern.

“As for the toughened safety glass, it is supposed to break into small, safe particles, not 250-300mm long, blade-like pieces. Anything over 7mm can kill.

“Unfortunately there is a lack of data surrounding injuries, but 90% of double glazing going is very simple 4mm toughened glass.

“People would be up in arms if they knew their kids were running around that stuff. It could be lethal.”

However, Australian Glass and Glazing Association Chief Executive Warren Overton tells Insurance News there is no significant problem with the glass or standards.

He says where installed correctly and to the Australian Standard, “glass is not inherently dangerous”.

When breakages occur it is more likely down to incorrect installation, he says

“Unfortunately for our industry, a significant amount of glass is installed by untrained or unskilled workers and that is where the problems typically arise.

“We do believe that the current Australian Standards have served us well, stipulating both manufacturing as well as design/installation requirements.

“The problems that we are seeing are due to an inadequate level of policing against these standards.

“As glazing is not a nationally licenced trade we have introduced a voluntary accreditation program to the market so tht those who are qualified and adhere to the standards can differentiate themselves.

“Our hope is that such an industry-driven approach may eventually lead to a government-endorsed national licencing approach.”

Source Insurance News April 2016