Why Do Balustrade Glass Panels Need To Be Heat Soaked?

There are several reasons for which breakage in toughened glass can occur, the most common being impact, inappropriate installation of fittings and structural movement. However, breakage can also occur due to impurities in the glass, in particular, the inclusion of Nickel Sulphide (NS).

In order to reduce the breakage which occurs due to NS inclusions, the Building Code of Australia 2010 (BCA) has included an amendment to make sure of heat soaked glass mandatory. Section B1.4(h)(iii) of the BCA Volumie 1 requires that from May 1 2011 glass in all sloped overhead glazed assemblies more than 3 metres above floor or ground level and all vertical glazed assemblies more than 5 metres above floor or ground level must be either:

* Heat Soaked in accordance with the European Standard EN 14179-1 (AS 1288 will be amended); or

* Be protected  by a balcony, awning or similar

The test requires that toughened glass is heated to a temperature of around 280 degrees celcius for several hours, the premise being that glass with NS inclusions will break during the process, rather than breakage occur post installation. This is carried out in a Heat Soaked Plant (HSP), which is a machine seperate from the Toughening Furnace.

Bracing Your 12mm Panels Before Grouting

bracing_glass_panelsUse timber blocks on the ground to sit your glass panel on and use straight edge supports and quick release clamps to hold your panel in vertically and inline with your other panels. Once your glass panels are braced accurately, your are ready to mix & pour your grout.

 

 

 

 

Bracing Panels before Grouting

The Correct Way Of Attaching Spigots To 12mm Glass Panels

We recommend laying your glass panel flat onto a sturdy table with a blanket to ensure your glass panel does not get scratched. Using our spigot location guide, a tap measure or ruler and a square, position your spigot onto your glass panel ensuring your rubber seat and side shims are in position. Tip, don’t forget to tape your dress ring under the glass panel before lifting glass into core holes.

Attaching Spigots

What Is Core Drilling?

Core drilling is a simple process used to create a hole through tiles, pavers and concrete big enough to accomodate fence posts and grout. The machine used is generally a hand held machine with a trigger just like a normal drill. It requires 240 volt power and a hose to be connected. The core pot (drill bit) screws onto the end and is available in various sizes. For semi-frameless glass posts, we recommend a size around 76mm. A core drill has no hammer action so tiles & pavers never crack. The core pot is diamond tipped and with the hose connected, it forms a perfect cut every time. All general tool hardware outlets have core drill & core pots for hire.

core_drilling

What are the electrical safety requirements for a pool?

Electrical safety requirements apply to all electrical equipment, pool fencing support structures and other fixed conductive material near a pool. They also cover fencing erected after the pool electrical equipment and ancillary fittings have been installed.

In general, pool fences and support structures situated closer than 1250 mm to swimming pools may require connection of an equipotential bond (earthing). Equipotential bonding joins together all the conductive parts in and near the pool, such as the steel reinforcing in the shell and handrails, and connects them to an earthing point. This greatly reduces the risk of electric shock should an electrical fault occur.

The installation of an equipotential bond is electrical work and may only be undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor. The specific requirements are outlined in the relevant Wiring Rules Standard. The requirements are dependant on a number of factors which include, but are not limited to, the arrangement of electrical equipment associated with the pool (such as pool pumps and filters), the existence of an equipotential bond to the reinforcing metal of the pool shell, when the pool fence was installed and the distance the pool fence is away from the pool. Only a licensed electrical contractor can assess compliance with the Wiring Rules.

Compliance with the pool barrier standard is a separate matter to compliance with the Wiring Rules. Consequently a pool barrier cannot be deemed non-compliant with the pool safety standard solely on the ground it does not satisfy the Wiring Rules.

Consumers constructing new pools are encouraged to consult a licensed electrical contractor early in the planning stage along with the pool builder, fence installer and landscaper. This can avoid unnecessary excavation work involving damaging concrete, decking or floor coverings for the purpose of installing electrical wiring.

For owners of existing pools, the PSC recommends that owners contact a licensed electrical contractor to discuss their pool’s circumstances to ensure that the pool, pool fence and electrical equipment in the pool area are installed in an electrically safe manner.

Further information on equipotential bonding, pool fencing and electrical safety can be found here: Equipotential Bonding Fact Sheet