Windscreen Feature |
by Tristan Wiggill
Fit and function
Are you aware that your car’s windscreen plays a vital role in
the overall safety of your vehicle? In fact, in modern vehicles the
windscreen actually forms part of the vehicle’s Safety Restraint
System (SRS), which also includes airbags and seat belts.
I
n essence, your windscreen performs
four critical safety functions. Firstly,
it provides clear visibility of the road;
secondly it supports passenger-side airbag
deployment; thirdly it increases structural
rigidity and integrity of the passenger
compartment and lastly, it cushions the
impact for vehicle occupants that are thrown
forward during a collision.
However, all of these critically important
functions are severely compromised if the
fitment of replacement windscreens is not
performed correctly. Improper windscreen
replacement and poor fitment means
that your vehicle’s roof structure is not
properly supported. The passenger-side
airbag will not properly deploy and water
leaks, vibration and wind noise are likely to
permeate your vehicle.
Windscreen replacement is a delicate
process that requires patience, perfection
and pride on the part of windscreen fitment
technicians. To do it right, several steps are
compulsory. These include the following:
Pre-Inspection
It is vital that vehicle owners and the
technician responsible for the replacement
inspect the vehicle for existing damage
before commencing replacement work.
Windscreen replacement technicians must
possess vehicle inspection sheets. These
documents perform two important duties:
firstly, they protect vehicle owners in the
event that damage is caused to a vehicle
during installation and secondly, they allow
windscreen technicians to check windscreen
wipers and rain and light sensors before and
after their job is completed.
Fitment
It is important for a windscreen replacement
technician to work on a vehicle that is
parked on a flat surface. Technicians must
also thoroughly clean the replacement
windscreen inside and out using the
Polyurethane manufacturer’s recommended
cleaning agents. The correct activator
or primer must also be applied to the
windscreen and to the vehicle’s body.
Polyurethane glue must then be applied
to the windscreen or bodywork prior to
installation.
Safe Drive-Away Time
One of the most important factors in
the replacement process is the setting
aside of sufficient time after the fitment.
“Safe Drive Away Time” is the time
needed to elapse after a windscreen
fitment before that car is SAFE to drive
away, considering the safety equipment
in the vehicle (airbags and safety belts).
“Safe Drive Away Time” means that, should
the airbag deploy due to an accident,
the windscreen will restrain the airbag as
designed i.e. the windscreen won’t “pop”
out.
Safety-conscious technicians are adamant
about “Safe Drive Away Times” and
communicate this important aspect to
vehicle owners before replacement work
even commences.
Post-inspection
Following fitment, vehicle owners and
technicians must perform a post-inspection
for the benefit of both individuals, and a
vehicle inspection sheet must be signed off
by both parties.
➲ Robert Clack - Quality Manager National Auto Glass
However, repairs are only carried out by
glass replacement experts like National
Auto Glass if the damage is limited to the
Primary Vision Area and not the Critical
Vision Area (the area expanding the breadth
of the steering wheel, accommodating the
driver’s vision).
Compliance
When it comes to windscreen fitment and
repair there is only one rational choice:
National Auto Glass. Apart from expert
fitment and an emphasis on safety,
National Auto Glass is also fully compliant
with local and international safety
standards, including SABS, E-Mark, Finas,
and ISO. In addition, the National Auto
Glass manufacturing facility is accredited
to the DOT (USA Department of Transport).
All of these certifications mean that:
Chip Repairs
Properly repaired chips and cracks restore
the windscreen to its original manufactured
strength, which can be as much as 30%
of your vehicle’s total structural strength!
It is paramount that repairs are carried out
timeously in order to reduce the amount
of moisture and dirt that enters the chip
or crack. Repairing a windscreen is much
cheaper than replacement and it is also
environmentally friendlier as it prevents
windscreens from landing up in landfill
dumps.
| words in action
22
september 2014
There is no safer windscreen
than a National Auto Glass
windscreen.
Made in
South Africa