THE SHOPPING CENTRE

Overview

The Shopping Centre, located in Cumbria, England, stands as a prominent retail destination in a historic city. The client faced a significant safety issue when a glass pane broke and fell during shopping hours, prompting an immediate response from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

To mitigate the risk of further incidents and to comply with safety regulations, all access to the roof was halted. This case study reviews the challenges and solutions considered to address the broken glass hazard and the final implementation of a polycarbonate encapsulation system.

Challenges

The primary challenge was to develop a solution that would:

Prevent broken glass from falling onto the shopping centre floor.
Minimize disruption to the shopping centre's operations.
Be cost-effective and feasible within the existing architectural framework.

Solution

The chosen solution involved the installation of a polycarbonate encapsulated system. This system offered multiple benefits:

Safety: Polycarbonate is a robust material that would prevent broken glass from falling onto the shopping centre floor.

Durability: It has a lifespan of 20 years and is stable under ultraviolet light.

Energy Efficiency: The polycarbonate material provides additional insulation, reducing heat loss and managing solar gains.

Feasibility: This solution could be implemented without significant alterations to the existing structure, making it less disruptive and more cost-effective.

The installation of the polycarbonate encapsulated system was carried out over a 12-week period, exclusively during evening and night hours to avoid disrupting the shopping centre's regular operations. This careful scheduling ensured that the shopping experience for visitors was maintained without interruption.

Outcomes

Safety: The primary objective of preventing broken glass from falling was achieved.

Cost and Disruption: The chosen solution was cost-effective and minimized disruption to the shopping centre.

Visual: Without changing the appearance of the existing glazing system, it is almost undetectable from shopping centre floor level.

Long-term Benefits: Additional benefits included enhanced insulation and a long lifespan, making it a sustainable choice.

Conclusion

The polycarbonate encapsulated system represents an effective and pragmatic solution to the serious safety issue posed by falling glass. By choosing this approach, the shopping centre managed to ensure the safety of its patrons and staff while maintaining operational continuity and benefiting from the additional advantages of enhanced insulation and UV stability. This case study highlights the importance of a thorough evaluation of options and the selection of a solution that balances safety, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.