When Safety is Clearly an Issue

Norwich's prestigious new multi million pound Sportspark development was officially opened during the latter half of 2000.

One of the major considerations of the design and build operation was how to protect the vast expanse of glass curtain walling much of which fronts high activity areas such as the gymnasium and Olympic size swimming pool.

Obviously even a tiny fragment of broken glass finding its way into the pool as a result of breakage or spalling would prove catastrophic and could require the whole complex to be shut down and drained whilst the offending fragments were located and removed.

It was decided in addition to the safety glazing to install Anglian antishatter fragment retention film to the most sensitive glazed areas. The film works by holding together broken glass fragments in the event of an accident or impact.

Working their way along the expanse of glass often 6 metres up on cherry pickers Anglian approved installers completed the installation from start to finish in 3 days.

Perhaps the most impressive testimony of Anglian's involvement in the project was a telephone call from one of the main contractors a day before the opening of the centre querying if the work had been carried out! Proof indeed that professionally installed clear Anglian window film can provide an invisible barrier of protection to glass anywhere.