State court officials say they now know why windows at the San Diego Central Courthouse have been spontaneously shattering since the gleaming, 22-story building opened five years ago.
But Judicial Council spokesman Blaine Corren said the number of breaks is “well within industry norms” and there are no plans to replace the 11,280 windows in the structure. The 12 shattered windows amount to a breakage rate of 0.11 percent. The industry norm is between zero percent to 1 percent. “The presence of inclusions in tempered glass is not considered a flaw in the construction industry,” he wrote. “A review of the conditions revealed that in all cases the glass panels initially stayed in the frame after spontaneous breakage. Only one panel fell out of the frame after a local high wind event. As such, mitigation measures can be taken after the initial glass breakage to reduce risk and potentially avoid any future occurrence of tempered glass falling from its frame.
These small stone-like objects when formed in tempered glass can expand, after the glass is cooled quickly and then later exposed to a higher temperatures. And that can cause the glass to shatter spontaneously. The process is not infallible. Some studies show it catches 95 percent of all flawed glass. In addition, heat soaking is more expensive and adds time to a project.
Corren said the Judicial Council is working with both companies on “protocols, warranties, and agreements to support the ongoing successful maintenance and management of the building.”
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