Glass Maintenance
Glass is a crucial component of curtain walls, and as it is also a fragile element, its management and protection are extremely important.
Adequate air circulation in the storage area is essential, especially during high-temperature and cyclical temperature periods. If indoor storage is not possible, glass should be covered with waterproof tarpaulins or plastic to prevent wind-blown rain and water ingress, and the cover should be periodically opened to check for condensation.
Glass must be covered with an opaque protective cover and must never be stored in direct sunlight. All types of glass should be stacked upright at a 5°-7° angle to the vertical, leaning against a sturdy, straight wall. The top and bottom edges of all glass should be padded with tarpaulin and separated with protective cardboard or other tarpaulin. If the glass is laid flat, the surface must be covered with tarpaulin to prevent dust, sand particles, glass shards, or other contaminants.
Protection during construction. During construction, brightly colored flags or ribbons are typically hung near the glass or attached to the front of the window frame, side pillars, or window sills to mark the space where the glass will be installed. Never allow ropes to touch the glass directly, and never draw marks or paint directly on the glass surface. If welding, cutting, sandblasting, or other construction processes that may damage the glass are used near the glass, plywood or plastic sheets must be used as a tight insulating layer to prevent them from affecting and damaging the glass.
Node Maintenance
Curtain wall nodes are the main accessories connecting the curtain wall and the floor slab. For corrosion prevention, surface treatment is necessary. Generally, A3 steel is galvanized, and then coated with a rust-preventive red iron oxide primer after installation. Nodes on unsealed floor slabs can be inspected at any time. If corrosion is found, local grinding and repainting can be performed. If bolts are loose, they should be tightened. Sealed floor slabs can be inspected periodically (every two years). Local inspections should be conducted; if problems are found, all nodes should be inspected and anti-corrosion treatment should be performed.
Regular Inspections
(1) During the warranty period, the supplier will organize regular inspections and follow-up visits to promptly eliminate any potential quality issues.
(2) Sealing strips and sealant should be inspected regularly. If any are found to be detached or damaged, they should be replaced or repaired immediately. Most silicone sealants used domestically are either domestically produced or imported, and they must pass a compatibility test conducted by a nationally designated testing unit before use.
Note that repairs must be made only after complete curing (24 hours). The damaged area must be thoroughly cleaned and the repair should extend at least 2/3 of its length.
(3) Clean regularly with a window cleaning machine.
(4) Surface repair: Use repair paint for localized damage or scratches.
Brown and white repair paint: BOSNY
(5) Inspection
First, surface inspection: Visually inspect the surface for damage. Second, internal inspection: Check the glass for damage and replace any damaged parts promptly. Regularly check connectors for corrosion and loosening. Check hardware for functional defects. Check for detached or cracked sealant strips and defects in the adhesive application. Check for damage in the inspected areas. Check for condensation on the glass.
Regular maintenance
(1) Clean with solvent. After removing grease and polishing materials with solvents such as xylene, toluene, inorganic alcohol, or ether, clean and rinse. Be careful not to use strong solvents to avoid damaging the sealant fixing the glass.
(2) Normal Cleaning and Rinsing. The glass should be cleaned, rinsed, and dried frequently, especially during construction. Use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth and neutral soap, paint remover, or slightly acidic cleaning solvent. Rinse immediately with clean water after washing, then wipe away any remaining water with a clean rubber broom. Because fingerprints, oil stains, dirt, dust, debris, sealant residue, scratches, and any surface abrasions are more noticeable on coated glass than on ordinary glass, extra care should be taken when managing and cleaning coated glass. Therefore, coated glass may require frequent cleaning throughout the project, and a partition should always be used between coated glass panes.
(3) Surface Damage. Concrete staining, especially during storms, can cause glass to become soiled or corroded by alkaline or fluorine-containing substances sometimes released from concrete or building brickwork. The concrete structure in front of the window arch should be designed to prevent dripping water from reaching the glass. Precast slabs and other concrete wall materials should be thoroughly mixed to form a homogeneous hydrate and fully cured. Surface treatments of the concrete (acid blasting, sandblasting, grouting, applying waterproofing materials, etc.) should be completed before glass installation, and debris should be thoroughly removed.
Local Standards: The "Shanghai Municipal Construction Project Quality and Safety Management Regulations (Draft)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft") explicitly requires public buildings using curtain walls to establish corresponding special maintenance funds to ensure timely inspection and maintenance of curtain walls and prevent them from endangering public safety. The Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Urban Construction and Environmental Protection Committee and some members suggested that the draft's provisions on curtain walls lack operability and recommended authorizing the municipal government to formulate relevant management regulations. It is understood that the Shanghai Municipal People's Government is currently formulating the "Shanghai Municipal Regulations on the Management of Building Glass Curtain Walls," which may apply to the management of building curtain walls.
