Dow Corning: Natural and Man-made Disasters Fuel Search for Safer Windows
27 Junho 2006 - 4:02PM
PR Newswire (US)
Silicone sealants improve window performance in natural and
man-made disasters MIDLAND, Mich., June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- As businesses and homeowners reassess their disaster
preparedness in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, tsunamis,
earthquakes and bombings, safety experts are urging extra attention
be paid to window safety. "Flying glass shards from shattered
windows caused by explosions or violent storms are responsible for
numerous injuries, sometimes fatal, to building occupants and
passers-by," said Eric Cote, spokesperson for Protecting People
First Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising
awareness of the safety technologies available to protect people
and property from the hazards of natural and man-made disasters.
"Window safety technology applied to new and existing construction
can pay big dividends in the event of a disaster." More architects,
builders and construction engineers are beginning to specify
protective window systems to reduce the injuries and damage that
result when windows are shattered by natural or man-made causes.
The two most commonly used systems employ laminated glass or a
protective polyester film that is anchored to the window frame,
often with a structurally rated silicone sealant. Similar to the
glass found in automobile windshields, laminated glass is made of
layers of glass surrounding a tough plastic film that absorbs
energy from an impact and prevents pieces of glass from breaking
loose. The edges of the glass are sealed to the window frames,
typically with a durable, but flexible, silicone glazing sealant.
In window film systems, a transparent, multilayered plastic film is
adhered to the interior surfaces of a building's windows. Then the
edges of the film are sealed to the window frames with a silicone
glazing sealant. The film does not affect the normal function of
the windows, but transforms them into flexible membranes that help
capture and absorb impact energy. Such films can be applied to
already-installed windows. "Silicones are becoming increasingly
valuable in improving the structural safety and integrity of window
systems because of their high tensile and tear strength, long-term
flexibility, resistance to harsh weather, and excellent adhesion to
glass and most window frame materials," said Ron Fillmore,
executive director, Dow Corning Corporation's Construction Industry
group. Whether factory laminated or on-site applied film, the
result is dramatically increased protection for building owners,
occupants and even passers-by in the event of criminal trespass,
natural forces like hurricanes, and even bomb blasts.
Impact-resistant window systems reduce the potential for broken
glass being blown from its frames, the leading cause of injuries in
events such as terrorist bombings. "We're working closely with
builders to educate the public and industry about the performance
of protective window technologies and how they can protect people
and save lives," Fillmore said. Fillmore cites evidence that chunks
of glass have been found as far as two miles from bomb explosion
sites and shattered glass is a primary cause of fatalities from
both natural and man-made disasters. "Modern architecture has
embraced glass for its aesthetics, energy efficiency and
recyclability," Fillmore said. "We're working to ensure that safety
and security are given equal consideration." Dow Corning
(http://www.dowcorning.com/ ) provides performance-enhancing
solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers
worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and
innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow
Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and
Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW). More than half of Dow Corning's
sales are outside the United States. DATASOURCE: Dow Corning
Corporation CONTACT: Jarrod Erpelding of Dow Corning Corp. (U.S.),
+1-989-496-1582, or Web site: http://www.dowcorning.com/
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