Common Safety Risks and Retrofit Considerations for Existing Glass Curtain Walls

TIME: 2025-10-09     READ: 22    AUTHOR:

Globally, large numbers of glass curtain walls have been in service for decades. As these façades age, safety and performance issues become increasingly critical, making regular assessment and retrofit essential for building owners, contractors, and consultants.

Based on industry practice, the major safety risks of existing glass curtain walls can be summarized as follows:

1. Glass Breakage

• Annealed glass: Cracks may remain in place temporarily but create long-term hazards.

• Tempered glass: Spontaneous breakage, often caused by nickel sulfide inclusions, remains the most unpredictable and significant safety risk.

2. Operable Sash DetachmentOperable Sash Detachment

Risks commonly arise from:

• Overloaded hinges and fastener failure;

• Inadequate limit devices in hook-type systems, leading to wind-induced detachment;

• Hardware loosening, misalignment, or lock point failure over time.

3. Structural Glazing Failure

For unitized or structurally glazed systems, frequent problems include:

• Missing support blocks, placing full weight on silicone sealant;

• Poor surface preparation before bonding, causing adhesion failure;

• Long-term stress or moisture infiltration, resulting in partial or complete outer lite detachment.

4. Decorative Component Detachment

Architectural features such as fins and trims, if not mechanically secured, are vulnerable to loosening and falling due to thermal expansion and wind loads.

5. Insulating Glass and Energy Performance Issues

Sealant failures, air leakage, and fogging not only reduce comfort and energy efficiency but may also accelerate structural risks.

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Conclusion

As the global construction industry shifts focus from new development to existing building retrofits, the safety and durability of glass curtain walls have become a central concern. Comprehensive inspection and professional retrofit strategies are essential to ensure public safety, extend façade service life, and support sustainable building performance.