Connecticut State Legislative Office Building
300 Capitol St.
Hartford, CT
NATURE OF PROJECT:
- Blast mitigation
- Spandrel glass strengthening
SCOPE OF PROJECT:
Sq.Ft. of glass protected – 12,000
Linear Ft. of attachment installed – 12,000
Spandrel panels reinforced - 155
structural silicone anchoring of the film
1/4” polycarbonate sheet behind spandrels
(mechanically attached)
TYPE OF FILM INSTALLED:
Armorcoat 14-mil clear
TYPE OF POLYCARBONATE INSTALLED:
GE 1/4’’ Lexan
CHARACTER OF PROJECT:
Required two-step installation of film with four-sided structural silicone attachment system and a blast-resistant polycarbonate panel mechanically attached behind the spandrel glass. Offering alternative attachment and installation methods resulted in minimal disruption and reduced cost to the customer.
ARCHITECT COMMENT:
"We can not put something in writing for contractors to use. However, feel free to describe the complexities of this project to prospective customers and ask them to contact me. I would be happy to talk to others about your work."
–Rick Voelker, AIA
Fletcher-Thompson, Inc.
BLAST CONSULTANT COMMENT:
"We did not expect this project to go as smoothly as it is going."
–Glenn Adams
Weidlinger Associates
PROJECT DETAILS:
The Hartford, Connecticut Legislative Office Building is situated in the middle of a tangle of streets – one being an off ramp from a major highway that passes within feet of the side of the building. The building houses the state officials and as a part of the state’s program to protect its people and structures, the state had a “blast assessment” done. The assessment was performed by a well recognized and respected blast consultant and a project was developed to strengthen the glass, spandrel areas and window framing in the Legislative Office Building. The state prepared specifications and had an architect prepare working drawings. The project was then advertised and contractors were asked to prepare written proposals. These proposals were evaluated using experience, approach to getting the work done, schedule, price and other factors to make the decision.
The project consisted of two main components:
1. Installation of a very thick 14-mil film, mechanically attached to steel framed, mainly operable windows.
2. Installation of thick polycarbonate panels behind spandrel glass and framing located above a drop ceiling.
Only a brief walk through was allowed beforehand to familiarize bidders with the layout and conditions. Bidders were then required to submit a “proposal” that included past performance, price and approach to the work.
Proposals were evaluated and Commercial Window Shield was chosen to do the work. Before the contract was officially awarded Commercial Window Shield was asked to visit the site for a pre-award meeting to meet with officials of the State of Connecticut and members of both the architect and blast consultants firms.
At the meeting Commercial Window Shield was able to partially disassemble a window and they determined that the project could not be done as designed by the architect and blast consultant. Because of their extensive experience and “can do” attitude, Commercial Window Shield was able to offer an alternative attachment method and approach. This approach required that the windows be taken apart. The heavy 14-mil film was applied edge-to-edge on the interior surface of the glass. Structural silicone had to be applied in a two-step process to entirely encapsulate the glass in the frame. The film would hold the glass shards together and encapsulating the glass in silicone connected the glass/film combination to the frame and produced a very strong blast resistant fenestration system. The second step involved reapplying the glazing stops and then applying a second application of structural silicone to ensure adequate contact and strength.
The blast consultant performed calculations and determined that the approach would work. The end result was that all the attachment was done behind the window stops and the finished product looks identical to the original design of the windows. Commercial Window Shield’s approach was less expensive and resulted in a net reduction to the contract price.
The second component of the project called for the installation of thick polycarbonate panels behind spandrel glass and attaching it to the existing window framing. Not a difficult operation in itself except that the spandrels were located above a drop ceiling and there was little access. The installation of the polycarbonate was going to be extremely messy and disruptive to the building occupants. The work required that the drywall be removed to access the spandrel glass. The wall would have to be torn apart for several days and then new drywall would be installed, spackled and painted. Senators and Legislators would have their offices torn up and messy for several days.
Once on site Commercial Window Shield was able to come up with an alternate approach. They proposed accessing the spandrel by going above the ceiling and designed a heavy steel sub-frame that could be installed by placing very small holes through the drywall instead of totally removing it. The sub-frame, then, received the polycarbonate and was a stronger system than originally designed. Again, the blast consultant reviewed the design and approved the approach. There was no net change to the contract price for the work or design for this second component of the project.
The project was completed slightly ahead of schedule and to everyone’s satisfaction.
Launch Project Gallery for Connecticut State Legislative Office Building
"Wayne, Thank you for your email. Based on the information you have provided me below, I will give Steve the appropriate documents he needs from me. We will take care of the change order as quickly as possible, keeping in mind many people are on vacation due to the Christmas holiday. I would also like to thank you and your team for the outstanding work performed. DIA is extremely pleased with how quickly the work was done and with so few disruptions to the employees. You have a very professional and reliable crew. Please pass on my sincere thanks for their outstanding work. Have a Merry Christmas!"
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Susannah T. Finch
P.E.