Project
Glass Window Safety Film Installation at Millennium Point, Birmingham
External clear safety film and structural silicone edge attachment across almost 4,000 m² of toughened façade glazing at Millennium Point, Birmingham.
project details
- Location
- Birmingham
- Sector
- Commercial
- Film type
- Safety window filmSafety-film retrofit for managed buildingscommercial window film in Birmingham
- Timeline
- Completed 2 weeks ahead of schedule (May to late August 2017)
the challenge
Landmark building in Birmingham with a large expanse of toughened glass was experiencing spontaneous breakage due to nickel sulphide inclusions, posing a risk of injury to personnel below.
our solution
Applied Solar Gard Sentinel Plus 100 micron clear (OSW) external weatherable safety film combined with a structural silicone edge-attachment system, specified to retain glass fragments if a pane broke.
measurable impact
the strategic results delivered through our technical implementation
key outcomes
- Treatment of almost 4,000 square metres of glass.
- Project completed two weeks ahead of schedule.
- Work performed using powered scissor lifts and booms while the building was operational.
- Included difficult application behind brise soleil louvres.
project details
Millennium Point is a landmark building in the centre of Birmingham. Like many façades with a large area of toughened glass, spontaneous breakage associated with nickel sulphide inclusions had become a falling-glass risk. Several panes had shattered, placing people below at risk of injury.
The building owners asked Lustalux to tender for an externally applied clear safety film with a structural silicone edge-attachment system. After meetings with the client and Saint-Gobain Solar Gard, Solar Gard Sentinel Plus 100 Micron Clear (OSW) outside-weatherable safety film was specified to help retain glass fragments if a pane broke. That is a defined fragment-retention system for this façade — not a claim that the glass became unbreakable, and not a universal containment guarantee for every building.
Work began in May 2017 and was scheduled into early September. It finished two weeks ahead of that programme, in late August. Almost 4,000 m² of glass was treated, including a large area from fixed scaffolding behind brise soleil louvres. The rest used powered scissor lifts and booms, most of it while the building remained in operation.
For other commercial window film, signage and architectural film across Birmingham and the West Midlands, see commercial window film in Birmingham. For the product systems, see security and safety film.
our approach
Tender & selection
Detailed meetings with client and Saint-Gobain Solar Gard to select the optimal safety film.
Phased installation
Use of powered access equipment and scaffolding to treat all glass elevations safely.
Quality assurance
Edge sealing with dow corning architectural silicone for long-term durability.
project faqs
Q: What causes spontaneous breakage?
Nickel sulphide inclusions in toughened glass can expand over time, causing the pane to shatter without warning.
Q: Can film be applied while the building is in use?
At Millennium Point, most of the work was carried out while the building remained operational, using powered access and scaffolding. Whether that is practical on another site depends on the façade, access method and building-management rules.
project gallery
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