Clearview National December 2019 - Issue 217 | Page 54
PROUD SPONSOR OF
GLASS & SEALED UNITS EXTRA
Glass & Sealed Units Extra
Spotlight on: Commercial glazing
» DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE MOST
overlooked areas of maintenance, commercial
glazing is a core component in businesses’
environmental, economic and safety agendas.
James Sutherland, managing director of
Huddersfield-based Dortech Maintenance,
shares his thoughts on the industry and looks
into why companies should be prioritising
planned preventative maintenance (PPM) –
plus its importance.
WOULD YOU DRIVE YOUR CAR
IF IT WASN’T SERVICED?
The likely – and legal – answer to this
question is “no”, but what relevance does this
have in the world of glazing installations?
It’s useful to think of aluminium windows
and doors as you would a car – the servicing
element is paramount for ensuring the
vehicle’s safety, as well as its sleek aesthetic.
However, as creatures of habit and
convenience, if something looks like
it’s working on the surface, we’re often
satisfied that it doesn’t need any further
attention. But this is when a reactive – instead
of planned and preventative – strategy can
negatively impact a firm’s bottom line, and in
some instances, security and reputation too.
It’s therefore vital for organisations to
recognise that all moveable parts – whether
automotive, technical or glazing-related – have
a life expectancy, and to maximise and prolong
this, they need regular checks to guarantee
they’re working to the standard required.
WHY IS REGULAR
MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT?
Aside from keeping buildings looking smart,
one key area where negligence in upkeep hits
businesses the hardest, is the financials.
For a number of years, organisations have
pointed the finger at budgeting restrictions for
their glazing downfalls. However, the reality
is that a lack of contingency planning is often
the culprit. As with most things in life, taking
preventative measures allows you to spot any
complications or potential problems early on.
This, coupled with regular check-ups, affords
a greater chance of there being a repairable
solution – better enabling businesses to nip
any costlier refurbishment or replacement
alternatives in the bud.
The safety element is also another core part
of the equation. Whether it’s cracks or breaks
54 » DEC 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
appearing within glass and window seals, or a
door with wear and tear on the hinges, when
left untreated these unassuming imperfections
have the power to spiral into a more complex
safety hazard.
But these threats aren’t always so blatantly
obvious. Many commercial buildings suffer
with damp and draughts due to doors and
windows having gaps or weak spots, for
example, and if not maintained properly they
cannot only cause visible faults but could
result in the entire glass collapsing.
OVERCOMING BUSINESS
DISRUPTION
If maintenance is ignored or put on the
backburner, downtime is another potential
area of disruption for businesses. That’s
because a typical replacement project can
take days – and depending on the size and
scale, sometimes weeks – to complete. As a
result, it’s vital for site managers and company
decision-makers to remain level-headed and
panic-free when it comes to architectural
glazing. Where possible, and of course safe,
a good maintenance provider will always
recommend restoration over renewal.
While safety trumps aesthetics in the priority
rankings, the way the building looks shouldn’t
be dismissed as a side note. Whether it’s for
business partners, employees or customers, all
firms want to make a great first impression. Yet
prior to a client even walking through the door,
a building’s façade helps them make a decision
about the kind of company they’re dealing
with.
Having condensation-free windows,
smooth-functioning doors and robust locking
mechanisms can be the difference between
being considered professional and secure versus
an unkempt safety hazard waiting to happen.
In truth, properly installed glazing units should
have a 25-30-year lifespan, but without regular
audits and maintenance, this could be halved.
COMMERCIAL GLAZING ROUNDUP
During a business climate of economic
uncertainty and an increasing focus on safety
and the environment, the PPM of commercial
glazing assets is something which is climbing
ever higher on the corporate agenda. This
is not only due to the associated long-term
fiscal benefits, but also maintenance’s role as
a priceless tool of reassurance that a building
is fully security optimised. And this is a major
trend we’ll continue to see throughout 2020.
Huddersfield-based Dortech Maintenance
forms part of the Dortech Group – a
commercial glazing specialist with an
architectural, maintenance and direct
division. The Group was founded in 1993
by James’s father, Steve Sutherland, and has
grown to become one of the most trusted and
recognised experts in the design, manufacture
and installation of curtain walling, aluminium
windows, entrance doors and roof lights.