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As times are changing,
so is the need for more stringent specifications.
Southeastern Glass Systems has increased its capabilities
to include a full
line of hurricane/impact products in the storefront,
curtain wall and window
arena.Impact products became popular after Hurricane
Andrew because
people reviewing the damage and its causes discovered
some of the reasons
for the destruction of buildings. In short they
discovered two basic keys to a
buildings survival.
1. Prevent the wind from getting into the building.
2. Keep the roof on the building.
Obviously
the key to keeping the wind out lies in the windows
and doors. |
Hurricane force wind create tremendous
pressures (wind loads) on a building measured in
pounds per square foot. This pressure is both positive
and negative since the wind will reverse direction
as the storm passes over. For example: 140 mph
wind generating 80 psf of wind load on a4 ft by
8 ft window translates to a total load of 2,560
pounds of pressure on the window and while this
is going on along comes your neighbors trash can
going 50 mph and hitting the window. Up until this
point your window had a fair chance of remaining
intact. Once the windows or doors fail these same
pressures are allowed to build up inside the structure
causing tremendous lift pressure on the roof and
causing it to fail next.
To prevent this, products like hurricane shutters
or impact resistant windows started becoming mandatory
in many hurricane prone areas. |
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Impact resistant glass has been
greatly refined over the past 4 years into a much
improved product that has many additional advantages
over the early products. The new laminated products
offer enhanced sound reduction, UV protection,
burglar resistance and a true glass surface on
both sides. This product passes the Dade County
tests for impact resistance.
Laminated glass also offers the advantage of passive
protection since your protection is always in place.
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During a hurricane,
tree branches, lawn
furniture and building
materials are hurled
at windows and doors.
To prevent objects
from penetrating glass
surfaces, Marvin has
created products with
impact-resistant glass.
Impact-resistant glass
is created by “making
a sandwich”—multiple
laminates are placed
between two pieces
of glass. The result
is as clear as glass,
but much tougher.
Impact-resistant products
are rigorously tested
to withstand the impacts
of 2x4 boards
launched at speeds
up to 50 feet/second
(34.1 mph).
Glass and laminate
layer(s) are placed
in a high temperature,
high pressure autoclave
that produces an incredibly
strong hybrid. It
allows StormPlus's
impact-resistant products
to look like glass,
but protect like a
shield. (Single-glazed
shown here.) |
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