Safety Film

As Regulation 14 reaches its 14th anniversary, CPFilms explains the need to test and replace safety window film.

In 1992 the Health and Safety Executive introduced Regulation 14 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 with the intention of making all low level glass "safe" for staff and the general public. It states that glass must be safe, with the areas most at risk being below waist height in windows and below shoulder height in doors.

One of the ways building owners could comply with the regulation is if their glass was enhanced with window safety film installed to BS6206 Class A or B. Under heavy impact conditions, cracked glass is held in place by safety film, providing protection against injuries from sharp shards of glass. CPFilms' LLumar® safety film is also widely used for bomb blast protection and anti-vandal security protection.

In existing buildings, owners had until 1996 to comply with the regulations, resulting in a 4-year rush to get the work completed. Safety window film has a certain lifespan and warranty. With the 13-year anniversary of the introduction of Regulation 14 approaching, most of this existing installed safety window film will be out of guarantee and its safety effectiveness may now be seriously compromised - and should be replaced.

CPFilms uses a patented peel test to determine whether films should be replaced, an effective method that involves minimum disruption to the buildings users. To keep the premises and staff safe in the event of an explosion, the simple peel test by CPFilms or one of its Accredited Installers will determine whether a new application of film is required.

In general, one peel test should be done for every 500m² of installed ASF. Some areas may pass the test whilst others fail due to the various environmental conditions that exist, e.g. higher exposure to the sun on southern elevations. If repetitive failures are encountered, peel tests should be done for every 50m² to 300m² depending upon the area of safety film installed, to establish a reasonable idea of the failed areas. At least one peel test should be done on each elevation (north, south, east and west).

If your installation of safety films was installed more than 10 years ago then you would be advised to review each location and situation, and call in the experts for a more detailed assessment via a peel test.