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        The Structural Glazing initially was developed with all design and engineering aspects similar to Curtain Glazing with the complete framework of mullions and transoms added with a structurally glazed shutter framework fixed on to the main framework mechanically from the outside of the building....

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We NEMCON FAÇADE CONSULT provide Specialized Engineering Consultancy for Facade of Buildings - Structural Glazing, Aluminium Composite Panel Cladding. NEMCON with its Head Quarters based at Ghaziabad (Near Delhi),started operations in Chennai since 2007 and have promoted Tenders of Facade - Structuraal Glazing, A.C.P. Cladding, Spider Glazing and other related works for various Projects namely, 6th Sense I.T. Park, Siruseri; Samson Tech Park, Pantheon Road, Egmore; Triton Square I.T. Park, Guindy; Estancia Signature Tower, Guduvancheri; and Matrix Mall, Vadapalani.

The activities of NEMCON FAÇADE CONSULT Is related to providing Professional & Technical Consultancy Services for STRUCTURAL GLAZING; WINDOWS & DOORS; AND ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANEL WALL CLADDING.

Designing of Architectural Aluminium Glazing (ON THE FAÇADE FOR THE ENVELOPING OF THE BUILDING) Including any other specific type of Aluminium Work that may be required for the Project RIGHT FROM CONCEPTUALISATION STAGE TILL ITS SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION NEMCON FAÇADE CONSULT SHALL HELP YOU CREATE A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE CONCEPT OF STRUCTURAL GLAZING & ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANEL FAÇADE CLADDING OF YOUR PROJECT.

THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN WITNESSED IN THE PAST:

Projects with Structural Glazing and  Aluminium Composite Panel Wall Cladding IS ALWAYS CONCEIVED WITH ENTHUSIASM

THE FRAGRANCE OF IGNORANCE

3.  WHEN A GLAZING ENQUIRY IS PROMOTED AMONG THE GLAZING CONTRACTORS, THE COST VARIATION BETWEEN L-1 AND L-6 MAY BE HUNDRED PER CENT OR EVEN MORE.  THE MAIN REASONS ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

  A)  AMBIGUOUS SPECIFICATIONS AND   DRAWINGS.

  B)  EVERY GLAZING CONTRACTOR CLAIMS   TO HAVE CONSIDERED THEIR OWN   (PROPRIETORY) PROFILES / SYSTEM.

  C)  EVERY GLAZING CONTRACTOR   CONSIDERS WASTAGE FACTOR ON   ALUMINIUM (10 – 15%) & GLASS   (BETWEEN 15 – 30%) BASED ON THUMB-  RULE ASSUMPTIONS.

  C)  DESIGN AND DRAWING DETAILS   ARE PROVIDED BY GLAZING   CONTRACTORS ONLY AFTER ORDER   FINALISATION.

  D)  EVEN THEIR GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS   ARE BASED ON COLOUR AND COST, NOT   BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY.

6.  AFTER AWARD OF THE PROJECT, THE CONTRACTOR IS PAID TEN PER CENT OF THE CONTRACT VALUE AS ADVANCE.

There is a Condition in the Tender that Shop Drawings would be prepared by the Glazing Contractor and Got Approved by the Architect.  Mostly these drawings are prepared by the Contractor showing details to his Commercial advantage and they also get approved, just because of unawareness of Specific Glazing related Technical Details.

HERE ONWARDS WHATEVER HAPPENS AT THE PROJECT BECOMES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ARCHITECT. ULTIMATELY, HOWEVER, THE ARCHITECT IS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIMSELF AND THE OUTCOME CREATED BY HIM (REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE DID OR HOW THEY GO ABOUT DOING IT)

ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING ASPECTS

REFER DRGS. (1 – 3) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

2.  The LOAD BEARING MULLION to be used for the project needs to be designed based on FLOOR TO FLOOR HEIGHT of the Building and MAXIMUM PANEL WIDTH considered for the Elevation of Structural Glazing.

(REFER DRGS. (4 – 6) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

3.  The LOAD BEARING MULLION of Structural Glazing has to be Checked for Stability conforming to Permissible Deflection.  In the event of Single Glazing,  it will be Unsupported Span / 175 and in the event of Double Glazing, it will be Unsupported Span / 250. 

THE LOAD BEARING MULLION FOR STRUCTURAL GLAZING WITH DOUBLE GLASS WILL BE 30% STRONGER.

4.Although the DESIGN AND SHAPE of the profile can REMAIN SAME without any change, the THICKNESS & DEPTH of the profile WILL CHANGE ON PROJECT TO PROJECT BASIS.

(REFER DRGS. ( 7 ) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

    A)    WATER TIGHTNESS; 

  B)   AIR TIGHTNESS;

  C)  CHOICE OF GLASS (SINGLE / LAMINATED /   DOUBLE GLASS UNITS);

  D)   POSSIBILITY OF CONVERTING IDENTIFIED   PANELS INTO OPENABLE PANELS;

  E)   STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR ADHESION OF   GLASS TO ALUMINIUM;

  F)   STRUCTURAL ADHESION OF GLASS IN   HORIZONTAL POSITION AND SUBSEQUENT   PLACING OF PANEL IN VERTICAL POSITION   AFTER CURING OF SEALANT.

6.  THE REAR PORTION OF THE MULLION (REFERRED AS “ B “ IN THE DRAWINGS IS RELEVANT FOR STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  A)    100 mm DEPTH & 2 mm THICKNESS OF   PROFILE SHOWN; 

  B)   DEPTH & THICKNESS WILL VARY FOR   EACH PROJECT – FACTORS FOR   VARIATION:

7.  The Glass in Structural Glazing is almost 200 – 250 mm away from the face of the Beam.  This will require the Sill and Soffit to be Sealed – SILL WITH STONE & SOFFIT WITH ALUMINIUM FLASHING.  Therefore, it is necessary that the Glass from the Soffit (or the False Ceiling) Level to the Sill must span independently – termed as SPANDREL GLASS.  The Spandrel Glass must also be provided with an Insulation. 

(REFER DRGS. (8 – 10) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

8.  The Glass used in the Structural Glazing, even today, are mostly from Overseas Sources, having a SIZE LIMITATION of 3210 x 2000 OR 3210 x 2250.  The Elevation needs to be Planned so that THE WASTAGE OF GLASS IS MINIMISED.

(REFER DRGS. (11 – 12) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

9.  The criteria mentioned in 3 & 4 above would result in change of Elevation, and the surrounding horizontal lines will have to match accordingly.

10.The Glass is Stuck to the Aluminium Framework with Structural Silicone (GLUE).  The Quality & Quantity of Silicone is to be designed based on Panel Size, Dead Load and Wind Load Acting on the Panel, to avoid FALL-OUT OF GLASS.

(REFER DRG. (13  - 15) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

11.  The Structural Glazing is mostly used in Office Buildings & Commercial Buildings, where lot of Public Movement is expected at Ground Floor Level around the Glazed Area.  It is, therefore IMPERATIVE to use a LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS TO AVOID DANGERS RELATED TO FALLING OR FLYING GLASSES in the event of breakage.

12.  The Structural Glazing gets attached to the building by means of an Anchor embedded in the Concrete.  Entire DEAD LOAD and LIVE LOAD of both Internal and External Wind Pressure of the Glazing is borne by the Anchor.  Therefore, the ANCHOR HAS TO BE DESIGNED FOR PULL-OUT LOAD.

(REFER DRGS. (16 – 17) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

13.  There are two types of Brackets installed on every beam – FOR LOAD BEARING; & FOR EXPANSION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ALUMINIUM MULLION.  The Brackets installed are also relevant for the “FIXITY CONDITION” considered for Designing the Structural Stability of Load Bearing Mullion.

14.  Therefore, the HOLES / SLOTS CREATED IN THE BRACKET ARE “NOT RELATED TO CONVENIENCE OF INSTALLATION” BUT “RELATED TO DETAILS OF ENGINEERING”.

15.  WRONG SLOTS in Brackets could result in  SWINGING / SLIDING GLAZING.

(REFER DRGS. (18) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

16.  The Quantity and Quality of Screws used for Fixing of Structurally Glazed Shutter to the Main Mullion and Transom Framework is also an important ENGINEERING DETAIL.

(REFER DRGS. (19 – A; B; & C) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL MANUFACTURERS ASSN.  (www.aamanet.org)
THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD COMPILING DATA ON FAILURES OF FAÇADE GLAZING. THE COMPILED DATA TILL DATE SHOW THAT THE GLAZING ON THE FAÇADE HAS ALWAYS BEEN BLOWN TO OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.

MAJOR REASONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO FALL-OUT OF GLAZING ARE :

IS IT IMPORTANT TO PREPARE PROPER DRAWINGS AS WELL AS SPECIFY EVERY MATERIAL INPUT IN THE TENDER ? ? ? ? ? ?

(REFER DRGS. (20 – 21) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

(REFER DRGS. (22 – 23) IN AUTOCAD FILES)

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