Canary Wharf Emergency Repairs

Following an urgent call from our long-standing client at Canary Wharf - Glazing Refurbishments Emergency make safe team were sent out to conduct a high level, difficult access repair to the buildings 12th Floor balustrade glazing (Access photos Here)

3pm: Call received - following the complete failure of 1no 19mm heat soaked toughened panel. When glass fails in one of London’s most iconic sky scrapers immediate action is required therefore swift action was needed to both mobilise and ensure works were carried out safely.

4pm: All reactive glazing team members fully advised and briefed on works. H&S documentation compiled, checked by H&S Director and submitted to client. Transit routes and parking agreed

4:15pm: RAMS discussed with client, methods agreed and signed off – all operatives send PDF copies for agreement, understanding and signature

4:30pm: Head Glazier and assistant reach re-active glazing stores. Dedicated vehicle pre-checked for all required material, access equipment and glazing tools. Full site set up confirmed and checklist completed.

4:40pm: Vehicles on route to works site. Client updated from office on time of arrival

6:00pm: Dedicated vehicles and operatives arrive on site, photographic identification and qualifications submitted to client for check and approval

6:10pm: All required equipment conveyed via transit route to works area. Protective covering installed to all surrounding marble flooring. Inspection of glass conducted to include full photographic coverage to allow further investigation into causes of fracture. Mobile man anchors established onto floor, operatives harnessed and lanyard fall arrests attached to anchor points. Panel measured and details taken for swift procurement of new replacement

6:30pm: Emergency removal works commence. 4no specialist operatives begin with application of fast adhering safety film. Film applied to all associated surfaces in order to maintain panel integrity and ensure glass fragments are kept from falling into inner core of building. Glass clamps attached to panel and stability confirmed. Site supervisor commences removal of hand rail detail, all fixings and associated hardware examined for defects prior to storage. While enabling works to facilitate panel removal are carried out secondary team cut emergency boarding with cut out holes ready for installation. Structural silicone to panel edges removed and disposed and panel ready for cut out. All associated operatives harnesses checked and connections confirmed. Panel cut/removed in stages, with glass placed immediately into wheeled disposal container. Once all glass was removed rebate cleared and glass transported to company vehicle installation of emergency boarding began. Panel clamps installed to wood and board placed into aperture. Board held in place while operatives reinstate hand rail and associated fixings. Once complete integrity confirmed structural silicone applied to all associated interfaces.

8:00pm: Emergency installation complete. Industrial cleaning equipment utilised to ensure all minor fragments are removed and written document handed to client confirming area is safe for public access. Client sign off received and equipment, materials and debris placed in company vehicle.

8:15pm – Productive works complete and Glazing Refurb team on way home!

Carrying out works of this nature is now a second nature to Glazing Refurb. The confidence we instil into our clients gives peace of mind, calms a difficult situation and lets us take the stress out of complex situations. Our clients within the financial district can’t afford lost time therefore our ability to act swiftly in a methodical and most importantly safe manner alleviates the problems when breakages occur.

As part of our works here Glazing Refurb has undertaken the examination and analysis of the broken panel. Giving our client this service provides them with information and recommendations to stop similar events occurring and can assist in insurance claims should the fracture for reasons of no fault of the client. With heat soaked panels of this nature each and every fragment must be carefully examined. Those with unusual shape and markings are examined further utilising a zoom optical microscope. Essentially we are looking for Nickel Sulphide inclusion that can cause delayed fracture as a result of NSI within the central tensile zone of the toughened panel. Once are tests are complete we will submit to our client a detailed report of causes that can then be passed onto insurers.

Since works were carried out quotation for replacement has been provided and instruction to replace received. Our projects team are busy compiling RAMS, procuring glass and planning in works date.