In 2009, an incident in the heart of London made national headlines:
“Miracle escape for City workers as giant plate glass window falls from 17th floor into busy street.” (Daily Mail, August 2009)
A large pane of glass shattered without warning and plummeted from the 17th floor of 125 Old Broad Street, landing with force onto the building’s reception canopy and scattering shards into a public road during the lunchtime rush. By sheer luck, no one was injured, but the outcome could have been so much worse.
This wasn’t vandalism, poor installation, or storm damage. It was the result of nickel sulphide (NiS) inclusions, a little-known but serious defect in toughened glass.
The Invisible Threat in Modern Architecture
Toughened glass is known for its strength, but it can have a hidden vulnerability. Microscopic nickel sulphide particles, often undetectable, can lie dormant within the glass for years. As environmental conditions fluctuate, these particles can expand and trigger a spontaneous fracture without warning or impact.
Scientific research confirms that nickel sulphide particles can expand over time as temperatures change, eventually creating enough internal stress to make the glass shatter unexpectedly. Even with heat soaking -a preventative measure in the manufacturing process- the risk can only be reduced rather than eliminated.
For buildings with large glass façades or at-height installations, the implications can be serious.
A Practical and Powerful Solution
We offer a simple and effective solution with our safety window film. The transparent, high-performance film bonds directly to glass surfaces and is engineered to retain broken fragments, should an incident occur.
By holding shattered glass in place, the film protects people, property and everything between. It ensures building owners stay compliant with safety regulations and therefore drastically reduces the risk of falling debris, injury, and operational disruption. Unlike full glass replacement, it’s also fast, cost-effective, and minimally invasive to install.
Safety film is particularly valuable in settings where pedestrian traffic is high, overhead glass is present, or buildings operate 24/7 and can’t afford downtime.
Who Needs Safety Film?
Any site with high-level or public-facing glazing should seriously consider safety film. This includes commercial office towers, schools, public sector buildings, retail parks, transport hubs, and hospitality venues.
Experience You Can Trust
Glasstint Direct has decades of experience helping businesses retrofit safety film across the UK. From consultation and risk assessment to fast, professional CHAS-accredited installation, we work with building managers, developers, and safety officers to ensure properties meet the highest standards of protection.
We supply and install BS 6206-compliant safety film which is trusted by industry professionals and tailored to each site’s unique needs.
Don’t Wait For The Next Headline...
Nickel sulphide inclusions are unpredictable, but the consequences are not. With one simple product, you can avoid a potential crisis. Safety film offers peace of mind, legal reassurance, and genuine protection for the people who pass by or work beneath your glass.
Contact Glasstint Direct today to arrange a site survey or request a no-obligation quote.