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The reglazing of two offices in Bracknell due to Nickel Sulphide toughened glass failure within the original structure

A large reglazing project located within the key business area of Bracknell, Berkshire

Osprey operated as the principal contractor providing all of the design, materials, associated access, plant machinery and various trades to complete the reglazing of these two high quality office buildings.

Nickel Sulphide toughened glass failure

When glass fails

Both of the four-storey office buildings were experiencing high levels of toughened glass failures, in random locations due to Nickel Sulphide inclusions.

  • Nickel Sulphide (NiS) is a contaminant that can be found within glass and can lead to spontaneous glass failure
  • A Nickel Sulphide inclusion within the glass structure can lead to the total failure of a pane
  • Once one unit fails, others from the same batch may also be at risk of failure.
Nickel Sulphide toughened glass failure

Protecting public safety

Alongside a contractor’s responsibility to ensure Safe Working Practices on site, building owners have a duty of care too. In this case, the building’s new owners decided the percentage of failures was unacceptably high and all of the double-glazed units and spandrel panels (approximately 2,800 units) were changed to ensure the buildings could continue as offices. Nickel Sulphide considerations for building owners and tenants include:

  • Public safety
  • Workplace Health and Safety
  • Tenant issues
  • Media interest
  • Insurance and litigation
  • Building value. 

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