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July 2005
Under threat: protect your business with LLumar® bomb blast window
film
Recent events have shown that terrorists are prepared to strike anywhere. Those
with responsibility for businesses should consider the likely impact a terrorist
bomb could have on their staff, customers and premises.
The protection and security of customers and employees is the priority - they
expect the security of the premises to be appropriate to the risk profile of the
business. Secondly, recovering quickly from the effects of a terrorist attack
is vital for every company. In the event of an explosion, your windows, displays,
stock and equipment could be damaged or destroyed. The biggest single cause of
this destruction and injury to people is flying glass -but if windows are better
protected, the impact of a bomb blast can be mitigated.
The Home Office recommends safety film, such as LLumar®. Not only does bomb
blast window film maximise resilience to terrorist bombings, it is also a proven
and cost-effective method of protecting people and property. Applied to the inside
of windows, it holds shattered glass in place in the event of an explosion - saving
lives, preventing injury and protecting premises and equipment.
July 2005
CPFilms joins RIBA CPD Providers Network
All
chartered members of the Royal Institute of British Architects are obliged to
do CPD every year. At a basic level, CPD is for consumer protection but it is
also a way of ensuring that architects keep up-to-date with a rapidly changing
profession. The RIBA's CPD programme helps keep its members and other construction
professionals up-to-date with training support, new ideas and updates. The programme
is now available online via the free RIBA CPD Providers Network.
This is the only CPD assessed by the RIBA and it carries the prestige, good name
and industry respect that the RIBA provides. All material is rigorously assessed
within strict best practice guidelines by a team of assessors, all RIBA members
and practicing architects.
CPFilms is the first and only window film manufacturer in the network with an
approved CPD presentation available online. The CPFilms seminar provides a comprehensive
understanding of the various glass enhancing and performance characteristics of
performance window film. It also examines the regulations that affect glazing
¯ and how LLumar can aid compliance ¯ as well as listing all CPFilms’
current certification.
To
access the CPFilms accredited CPD, click here
June 2005
CPFilms publishes guidance on new European impact standards
Are you aware that British Standards for impact resistance have changed? The new
European standards were published in January 2003 with BS EN12600 replacing BS6206.
CPFilms, the world’s largest window film manufacturer, has had its safety/security
films independently tested on an extensive range of glass specifications and has
achieved outstanding results. A technical specification leaflet has been published
with full details.
When specifying safety or security film it is incumbent on the specifier to insist
and ensure that the correct impact test certification from the window film manufacturer
is available - applicable to the grade of film selected and the specific glazing.
Building owners and facilities managers should also insist on receiving the correct
manufacturer’s test certificate. It is increasingly important that what
you state can be achieved in terms of building products is fully backed with the
appropriate (and case specific) documentation.
For
more information, download a copy of the Technical Sheet here.
March 2005
Blinded by low winter sun?
With the sun lower in the sky in the winter, glare through external glass within a building is felt more keenly than in the summer months and can be a significant problem for staff, especially those using computer monitors.
Glare is the loss of contrast and a ‘washing out’ of the screen image when ambient light is brighter than the light emitted by the monitor. Lighting conditions in an office are generally optimized for the reading of paper documents meaning high light levels. But a monitor, perceived by the light it emits, is easier to read in low light because there is greater contrast with the light in the room.Similarly, reflections off the monitor can be annoying and debilitating. They can obscure the screen image so much that users need to twist or move uncomfortably to see what's on the screen, contributing to eye strain and fatigue.
It is important to protect staff from the harmful and debilitating effects of glare and reflection from low winter sunshine. A cost-effective solution that really works is LLumar“ solar control performance window film, which can reduce glare by up to 94%. These films are optically clear, maintaining excellent vision through the glass, but will also block 99% of harmful UV light. They can also reject up to 79% of un-wanted solar gain during the summer months.
LLumar“ solar control performance window films can also assist with meeting the requirements of the Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 which implement European Directive No: 90/270/EEC.
February 2005
CPFilms introduces innovative privacy window film
In response to customer demand, CPFilms has introduced a privacy window film for designers and facilities managers wanting a one-way mirror effect.
Improving privacy through glass is becoming more and more of an issue to specifiers, according to research conducted by CPFilms, which reveals that building owners and designers regularly require total privacy provision in their premises, often requesting a ‘one-way mirror’ effect.
There is no such thing as a total ‘one-way mirror’, but an approximation of one-way vision through glazing can be recreated with the new LLumar“ RN07G privacy performance window film. The film has a relatively high reflection and relatively low light transmission, and when compared with traditional, highly reflective silver type window films, it has significant benefits:
- External light can be lower to achieve the greater privacy
- It is significantly easier to see through the film and glazing to the outside under general lighting conditions
- It is more aesthetically pleasing, both inside and out
In addition, this new privacy performance film will reject 80% of all un-wanted solar energy, thereby providing more comfortable working conditions during summer months. It also reduces glare by 90%, which increases visual comfort for the staff using computers or involved with detailed work. It will also block 99% of harmful ultraviolet light which is one of the major causes of fading.
January 2005
Safe from harm?
In 1992 the Health and Safety Executive introduced Regulation 14 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 with the intention of making all low level glass “safe” for staff and the general public. It states that glass must be safe, with the areas most at risk being below waist height in windows and below shoulder height in doors.
One of the ways building owners could comply with the regulation is if their glass was enhanced with window safety film installed to BS6206 Class A or B. Under heavy impact conditions, cracked glass is held in place by safety film, providing protection against injuries from sharp shards of glass. CPFilms’ LLumar® safety film is also widely used for bomb blast protection and anti-vandal security protection.
In existing buildings, owners had until 1996 to comply with the regulations, resulting in a 4-year rush to get the work completed. Safety window film has a certain lifespan and warranty. With the 13-year anniversary of the introduction of Regulation 14 approaching, most of this existing installed safety window film will be out of guarantee and its safety effectiveness may now be seriously compromised and should be replaced.
CPFilms uses a patented peel test to determine whether films should be replaced, an effective method that involves minimum disruption to the buildings users. To keep the premises and staff safe in the event of an explosion, the simple peel test by CPFilms or one of its Accredited Installers will determine whether a new application of film is required. If your installation of safety films was installed more than 10 years ago then you would be advised to review each location and situation, and call in the experts for a more detailed assessment via a peel test.