The recent incident of a car breaking through the glass on the top floor of a showroom and falling to the floor below has raised concerns about the design of retail showrooms with glass glazing. Dr.h.c.Mario Schmidt, Managing Director, Lingel Windows and Doors Technologies, gives his suggestions on retail showroom glazing solutions to prevent such mishaps.
What do you think caused the glass to break on impact with the jeep?
The glass failed because the wrong glazing solution was provided. From the pictures and video, it’s clear that the entire glazing disappeared after the impact. This means it was toughened glass, which, like the side window of a car that shatters and falls out completely once it breaks. It cannot hold in place to stop a car or even a person from falling through. The right glass, as per the safety codes, was not selected.Was it because the glass was not of the prescribed strength as stipulated in the NBC (National Building Code) of India?
Yes. The National Building Code of India has a chapter on glazing, which clearly defines safety requirements and parameters based on whether the application is low, medium, or high risk. It also prescribes test methods, such as dropping a 45 kg weight from a height of 1.2 meters. If this test had been applied, it would have immediately shown that the glazing used in the showroom would fail. In Europe, we test with 50 kg, but even the Indian standard of 45 kg would have exposed the weakness of the solution chosen here.How should showrooms with large glass glazing be designed?
Showrooms often need full floor-to-ceiling glazing to showcase their products in the best way. This creates high-risk situations, especially when showrooms are elevated above ground level. In such cases, the design must strictly follow the following NBC guidelines:- Laminated glass must be used instead of only toughened glass.
- The framing and fixing systems must be engineered to hold the glass in place even under impact.
- The glazing system must be tested and certified for safety performance before installation.
Glazing is not just about aesthetics; it is about protecting lives. That is why Lingel ensures that every showroom solution which we offer is both beautiful and safe, and fully compliant with NBC and international standards.
Dr.h.c.Mario Schmidt
What type of glass is recommended for such applications and how important is the hardware?
The recommended solution is LPG (Lingel Panzer Glazing). Just like the windshield of a car, laminated glass may crack under impact but will not disintegrate or fall out. The interlayer holds the fragments together, preventing people, vehicles, or objects from falling through. For showroom façades, railings, and all floor-to-ceiling glazing, Lingel Panzer Glazing is a safe and suitable option.Apart from the glass, equally important are the hardware, framing systems, and other components in ensuring the overall safety of the glazing. Even if the best laminated glass is used, it will fail if the framing and fixing systems cannot hold it. Safety is never about the glass alone; it is about the entire system: glass, frame, hardware, sealants, and installation. All these components must be tested and certified together to deliver true protection. These design principles must be respected from the very beginning. Our Lingel Panzer Glazing and Lingel Safe Box is the perfect combination of glazing and hardware.
