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Blast Rips through Moroccan Café

Blast Rips through Moroccan Café

Once again, we are highlighted to the dangers of flying glass during terrorist bombings and other natural disasters. Yesterday at least 14 people were killed and 20 others injured, mostly German tourists, when a gigantic bomb exploded.

A natural disaster also occurred yesterday when a tornado ripped through parts of Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Over 300 deaths have been reported to date, and without a doubt, many people were once again killed by the hazards of flying glass. Cars were flipped over on to their sides and people in general were caught off guard.

These occurrences once again show the need for protection by the use of transparent window laminates which are applied to glass doors and windows to protect against huge pressures during tornadoes , storms and bomb blasts.

There are two basic principles in which these types of situations can be made safer. The application of a suitable film to the surface of existing glazing and another commonly used method, is the use of two ordinary sheets of glass with film in between (laminated glass).

shatter proof

 

An important factor in the safety of glass is also in the manner in which the glass panels are mounted into the frame. If properly mounted, glazing material will not easily be pressed out of the portion when subject to a blast or wind pressure. If blown out of proportion, for instance by explosion, glass with safety film will not shatter into dangerous and potentially lethal shards, but will resist the explosion.

The best possible way to protect people from injury by glass fragments, particularly in the event of a bomb explosion, is to standardise shatterproofing all glass areas in building projects. The cost of film to glass compared to laminated glass will be relatively lower and just as effective.

The most common factor is the securing of ordinary glass installed in existing buildings against splintering. Statistics indicate that some 85% of injuries to people following explosions in urban environments were in fact caused by flying glass fragments. The removal of ordinary glass and its replacement by shatterproof type glass will be costly and cannot be justified. The only solution that is remaining, is to fix a suitable transparent plastic film to existing glass.

For further information on our range of safety films and test reports please contact us.