The legal standards for all industries, including the glazing industry, are constantly changing. Keeping up with advances is critical to ensuring that you are following all duties and, more importantly, that your clients and workers are safe.
Facilities management professionals must be informed of the legislation that impacts them, most recently Martyn's law: an important safety statute that protects individuals in public places. To fully appreciate the implications of your commitments, you must first understand the law and what to do, when to do it, and why.
What Is Martyns Law?
The Protect Duty, established by the UK government, is part of a new law designed to increase readiness for and safeguarding against terrorist attacks. Martyn's Law, named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack, would ensure that everyone in the UK is better safeguarded against the current and ever-changing danger of terrorism.
The law will contain statutory direction, assistance, and instruction to strengthen public venue security. It is projected to become a legal necessity in the near future, therefore organisations must not only be aware of the adjustments, but also be ready to apply them promptly.
What impact does the law have on the glazing industry?
With the legislation likely to take effect soon, facilities management professionals have to consider the necessary glass changes. This should be done either as part of their impending regular maintenance or as soon as possible to minimise risks.
Technical aspects:
Examine your use of bulletproof and/or blast-resistant glass or bomb-resistant window film thoroughly. Specifications vary depending on the location, but your glass is needed to be able to endure strong impacts, such as bomb blasts.
Compliance with the law:
Failure to adhere with any legislation has financial consequences. As a result, it is critical to avoid penalties, which might be severe. Achieving your legal duties also displays industry collaboration and dedication to best practises.
Notes:
Martyn's Law applies to all public spaces, however the requirements vary greatly depending on the size and breadth of your company and structure. From updating planning to implementing new measures, there are several - but equally important - requirements to future-proof your facility and brand reputation.
How Window Film Can Help Meet Regulations.
They may be functional, practical and beautiful, but glass windows and doors are usually the weakest points in a building’s exterior. They are at risk of incurring damage from vandals, break-ins, severe weather and other natural and man-made threats. Solarfrost has a range of Safety Window Films that can help protect your home, office, business or school and the occupants inside.
Broken glass from break-ins and other impact events can cause personal injury and property damage – and allow unwanted entries. Our window protection films are designed to hold glass fragments together, reducing injuries from flying shards and making it more difficult to break through.
Our most common safety window film is the Clear 100 micron window protection film which can be used in the workplace to fully comply with the workplace health, safety and welfare regulations act to bring existing glass up to British standard EN 12600 (2B2) without the need of replacing the existing glazing at a fraction of the cost.
Solarfrost Safety glass Films come in a range of thicknesses meet all of the British and European standards for impact testing including but not limited to BS 6206, EN 12600 and EN 356.