Project
Protecting Wythenshawe College From Vandalism
200-micron safety film specified after impact testing at Wythenshawe College in Greater Manchester, applied to existing glazing after repeated attacks.
project details
- Location
- Greater Manchester
- Sector
- Education
- Timeline
- Project phased
the challenge
Wythenshawe College, in Greater Manchester, was undergoing repeated attacks on windows. Before the film installation the college was spending an estimated £60,000 to £70,000 a year replacing broken glass. Shattered glass was falling onto the walkway at the entrance.
our solution
After assessing the glazing, Lustalux tested a 200-micron safety film with ball bearings fired from a catapult, then installed the film on the existing glass. The case study reports no subsequent incidents requiring glass replacement after installation.
key outcomes
- Safety film specified after on-site impact testing rather than as a catalogue product.
- Applied to existing glazing rather than replacing the glass first.
- The college reported no further cases requiring glass replacement after installation. That result belongs to this site and this glazing system.
project details
Wythenshawe College, Greater Manchester
Wythenshawe College, near Manchester, was undergoing frequent attacks on windows. Before the film installation the college was spending an estimated £60,000 to £70,000 a year replacing broken glass. Shattered glass was falling onto the walkway leading to the entrance.
Lustalux tested a 200-micron safety film before specifying it. In one test, 10mm stainless-steel ball bearings were fired from a catapult at glazed panels with the film applied — 16 shots from 50m down to 5m. The film was then installed on the existing glass. The college reported no further cases requiring glass replacement after installation. That result belongs to this glazing system and this site. It is not a general promise for every building.
This project is a fragment-retention retrofit against repeated vandalism. It is not a blast-mitigation package. For other commercial window film, signage and architectural film across Manchester and Greater Manchester, see commercial window film in Manchester. For the product systems, see security and safety film.
our approach
Assess the existing glass
The college needed a retrofit that could be applied to the installed glazing.
Test before specifying
10mm stainless-steel ball bearings were fired at glazed panels with the film applied, from 50m down to 5m.
Install the tested system
200-micron safety film was applied to the existing windows.
project faqs
Q: Is Wythenshawe College in Manchester city centre?
No. Wythenshawe College is in Greater Manchester. It is supporting local proof on the Manchester location page, labelled as Greater Manchester rather than as city-centre work.
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