Pro Installer November 2017 - Issue 56 | Page 19

News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
NOVEMBER 2017 | 19

News

TIPS FOR PERFORMING A THERMAL SAFETY CHECK

Phil Brown , European regulatory marketing manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited , part of the NSG Group , offers his top tips for performing a thermal safety check .
Assessing the risk of thermal fracture is an essential task before installing glass , particularly solar control glass . The central area of glass exposed to solar radiation absorbs heat , rises in temperature and expands . The outer edges of the glass , however , shielded from solar radiation by the frame , remain cooler .
Thermal safety is concerned with temperature difference between the hottest and coldest parts of the glass , and the distribution of temperature across the glass . The resulting differential expansion causes tensile stress at the edge of the glass . If this exceeds the breakage strength of the glass a thermal fracture will occur .
Helpful tips for performing a thermal safety check prior to installing an insulating glass unit ( IGU ):
1 . Location . Different parts of the world receive different amounts of solar radiation , so considering the project ’ s location is essential .
2 . Check your compass . A north-facing elevation in the UK , for example , will receive relatively little solar radiation in comparison to other orientations .
3 . Know your glass . Glass type and thickness will affect the solar absorption . Some products will absorb more of the sun ’ s energy than others . If the glass is toughened , then it would be expected to be thermally safe .
4 . Inside knowledge . Any blinds or curtains behind the window can influence the free movement of air over glass . The colour of the material can also play a role – a light-coloured blind will tend to reflect more back into the glass . 5 . Back-up plan . Commonly referred to as a back-up , this is a structural item immediately behind the glass such as a raised floor or low hanging ceiling . If the glass passes in front of a floor slab , this could reduce loss of heat from the glass and increase its temperature .
6 . Look from the outside . What ’ s happening on the outside of the building needs to be considered . External projections such as overhangs can shade part of the
glazing , creating a temperature difference between the exposed and unexposed areas . Trees and nearby buildings can also partially shade the glazing .
7 . As well as glass type , the frame is also important , whether it is PVCu , aluminium or timber . A heavyweight frame will tend to insulate the glass edge more than a lightweight one , generating a larger temperature differential between the edge and centre of the glass .
8 . Size is everything . As for mechanical strength , the probability of finding a critical flaw is higher for larger panes .
9 . Keep an open mind . Is the window fixed or can it be opened ? If it is openable , then it may receive more of the sun ’ s radiation when ajar .
10 . Although the sun is the primary source of thermal stressing in glass , any heaters or radiators blowing warm air in the direction of the glass can act as secondary sources .
For more advice on glass thermal safety , please view the Pilkington webpage : http :// pilkington . co . uk / glass + thermalstress

LONDON HOMELESSNESS IS ‘ NATIONAL DISGRACE ’

The London Assembly has been investigating London ’ s hidden homelessness problem , community-led housing and how homes and industry can co-exist .

Dedicated Specials Factory

The Glazerite UK Group has completed the latest phase of its ambitious expansion programme with a major step-up to a 30,000 sq ft special products plant , with plans already underway for the next phase .
The company ’ s acclaimed Vertical Sliders , Residence Collection products and the VEKA Imagine bi-fold , patio and flush doors will all be made in the purpose-equipped factory by a specially-trained fabrication team with its own dedicated management and quality control systems .
The new unit , close to Glazerite ’ s Wellingborough HQ , is more than twice the size of its original specials factory opened in 2014 and gives further capacity for the group ’ s ever-growing range of niche , premium and specialist windows and doors .
The launch of the new unit also gives Glazerite a fourth specific production centre , along with Halo fabrication at Glazerite East , the former City Beads factory in Peterborough acquired by the Group last year , and its mainstream VEKA production at Wellingborough and Bolton .
www . glazeritewindows . co . uk
The assembly - which holds the London mayor to account - heard there were 13 times more ‘ hidden homeless ’ people in London than those sleeping rough - as many as 12,500 each night .
Some 225,000 young people in London had stayed in an unsafe place because they had nowhere safe to call home . They were likely to have experienced sofa surfing , sleeping rough , squatting or sleeping on public transport . This left them at risk of assault or abuse . Young people were especially likely to be affected , particularly those who identify as LGBT , as well as those who had experienced domestic violence and abuse .
Hidden homeless people were often ineligible for homelessness support , and only one in five aged 16-24 sought help from the council .
The assembly made recommendations to the mayor and the government . One included asking for sufficient financial support to London local authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act .
Terrie Alafat , chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing , said : “ Homelessness has risen steadily since 2010 . To have so many people homeless in 2017 is quite simply a national disgrace and something we must act on now . History tells us that we can significantly reduce homelessness , but it will take a cross-departmental commitment from government and a strategic approach to tackle all of its causes .”
In separate meetings , the assembly heard about the various models operated by London ’ s housing co-operatives , and discussed ‘ property guardianship ,’ where ‘ guardians ’ live in vacant property for a reduced cost .