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Advertising supplement provided by Solutia Inc. and Viracon

Conclusion

Both active and passive security measures have become the standard in today’s building designs. Recent bombing events have proven the need for increased security for facilities at high risk – such as government and high profile buildings and airports as well as buildings in close proximity to the targeted building. With an increase in the threat of bomb attacks expected in years to come, a greater emphasis is going to be placed on a building’s window system and overall structural design.

Laminated glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer has proven to be an effective solution for blast mitigation, and offers protection for buildings exposed to the threat of explosives. Tests have shown that when windows glazed with laminated glass with a PVB interlayer are subjected to a blast impulse, broken glass fragments tend to adhere to the plastic interlayer rather than spraying building occupants and those surrounding the building with harmful glass shards and other debris. Many U.S. embassies and high-risk buildings around the world are using laminated glass systems with a PVB interlayer. Properly installed, these glass systems meet or exceed the toughest blast mitigation standards issued by the U.S. Government.

 

Glazing systems help protect against potential disasters at Charles E. Bennett Federal Building Laminated glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer was specified for its performance relating to blast mitigation and impact-resistance for hurricane protection in addition it offers ultraviolet protection and sound transmission control. Building Glazing Contractor: Tsg Industries, Inc., Valdosta, Georgia Laminator: Viracon, Owatonna, Minnesota Interlayer Manufacturer: Solutia Inc., St. Louis, Missouri Architectural Firms: Rodriguez And Quiroga Architects Chartered, Coral Gables, Florida Construction/Engineering Firm: Skanska Usa Building Inc. Renovation Completion Date: May 2003 Confronted with the dual challenges of designing for security and hurricane protection, the building renovation team for the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building found a glazing solution that served both purposes. Located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, the Bennett Federal Building was scheduled for a large-scale renovation by the General Services Administration. This project included the renovation and modernization of existing building components such as the replacement of the HVAC system, electrical systems, new tenant office space layouts and the rehabilitation of the facade for the entire building to help protect against both man-made and natural disasters. One of the most important renovations to the Bennett Federal Building was the retrofitting of its exterior glass windows and doors. The existing 1,300 windows leaked, and the glass originally specified for the building consisted of an uncoated, non-high-performance glazing product. Today, all federal buildings require improved levels of protection from the hazards of glass. In addition, the Bennett Federal Building was located in a hurricane-prone area, so the new glass had to be blast-resistant and be able to provide protection against high winds and flying debris from hurricanes and tropical storms. Viracon’s StormGuard™ hurricane-resistant glass was used in the Bennett Federal Building. “We recommended laminated glass because it not only protects against hurricanes, but it will keep the glass in place should there be a bomb blast, thereby providing protection for people inside and outside the building,” says Sara Theis, protective glazing specialist at Viracon. The glazing configurations consisted of a 1 5/16" VE1-55 Insulating StormGuard Laminate (which meets large missile requirements) and a 1 5/16" VE1-55 Insulating PVB Laminated (which meets small missile requirements).