Abstract
A new European standard—prEN 14019—is being developed to classify the safety in use and integrity of curtain walling against impacts from humans and equipment used for cleaning and maintenance. Test impacts are made using a 50 kg ‘twin-tyre’ pendulum-type impactor. The Building Research Establishment has evaluated the draft version of this standard on three curtain walling systems. In addition, the deflections occurring during impact were monitored on one system, and compared with impacts by a 50 kg glass bead-filled bag of BS 8200, currently used in the UK. The tests showed that from the same drop height, the twin-tyre impactor produced substantially more severe impacts than the BS 8200 bag. The new standard requires clarification of the treatment of glass and opening windows in the specimens. The test method functioned satisfactorily on the systems tested. It appears to be effective in reproducing potential risks to safety from impacts resulting from human activity. This evaluation suggests that soundly constructed curtain walling systems are likely to meet the most severe classification in the latest draft of the standard.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Structures and Buildings
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
