Prepare for Unexpected Commercial Property Glass Replacement

Preparing for unexpected commercial property glass replacements is crucial to maintaining business continuity and ensuring safety. Having a plan and partner in place can minimize downtime and prevent potential security issues, keeping both employees and assets protected.

Familiarizing yourself with a professional glass replacement company before you need their services can save you time, money, and stress. No business owner wants to deal with the hassles of property damage. Whether your commercial building’s exterior glass was damaged due to an accident, vandalism or natural forces, replacing retail or tenant glass can be time-consuming and impact foot traffic.

If your commercial property suddenly experiences severe glass breakage, being prepared, ensuring safety, and knowing the steps involved in the repair process ahead of time can prevent many possible problems and lead to significant savings in both time and money.

Have a Partner in Place

Before an emergency strikes, your first step should be to identify a highly-rated professional emergency glass repair service in your area. Building a relationship with a commercial glass company can significantly expedite the replacement process. You may need to prequalify for repair fees, so having an established partnership can save valuable time.

Understand the Repair Process

The repair process for commercial glass replacement may vary depending on the type of damage, but typically involves these steps:

Initial Assessment: Once you contact your chosen glass repair company, they will send a team to assess the damage and determine the best course of action, including securing necessary permits for construction and possible traffic closures.
Securing the Area: To ensure safety, they will secure any broken glass or unstable frames. Board-up services may be necessary to prevent potential injuries or theft until the glass can be replaced.
Removal of Damaged Glass: The next step is to remove any damaged glass from the frame.
Measuring and Ordering New Glass: Accurate measurements are essential in ordering new glass, which may need to be custom-cut for your specific needs.
Installation: Once the new glass is ready, the team will install it securely in place.
Clean-up: Glass replacement can be a messy process, and a professional company will ensure to clean up any debris and leave your property looking as good as new.

Safety Issues for Consideration

Commercial glass replacement and repair come with several safety considerations that are vital to protect both workers and the building’s occupants. First and foremost, ensuring the area is secure and cordoned off to prevent unauthorized access during the repair process is crucial. This helps mitigate the risk of injuries from broken glass and construction equipment.

Moreover, it’s essential to comply with all local building codes and regulations when performing glass replacement to avoid legal issues and ensure structural integrity.

Replacing glass on the ground floor or lobby of a commercial building can be straightforward, but the task becomes more complex on higher floors. For installations high above ground, erecting a scaffold with a protective cover is essential to prevent falling shards from injuring pedestrians.

Lastly, proper disposal of broken glass and debris is necessary to prevent environmental hazards and maintain cleanliness around the property.

Maximizing Customer and Tenant Safety

To ensure the safety of customers and tenants during your property’s new glass installation, there are several simple and practical things you can do, including:

Control traffic with a check-in process – Controlling the flow of human traffic (customers, contractors, visitors, etc.) via a digital sign-in system can help keep track of all the comings and goings throughout the new glass installation.
Emergency response procedures – Establishing clear, easy-to-follow guidelines for emergencies, such as evacuation routes, can minimize confusion and keep everyone safe in the event of an emergency.
Inform tenants of repair disruptions – Notify your building’s tenants in advance about the upcoming glass installation and the potential disruptions to their businesses.
Alert customers and pedestrians – Visible signage informing customers and pedestrians about the areas affected by the installation work, such as alternative foot traffic routes and emergency exits, can prevent miscommunication in case of an accident. These preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of injury and property liability.
Inform your glass installers about access points – In some buildings, key access points may feature high-security doors. Providing the glass installation crew with security access codes or key fobs can prevent downtime caused by restricted access to the work site.

Checklist for Choosing a Glass Replacement Company

When selecting a glass replacement company for your commercial property, consider the following requirements to ensure you receive the highest quality service:

✅ Proven Track Record: Check for a history of reliable and high-quality workmanship. Look for companies with positive testimonials and consistent customer satisfaction.

✅ Insurance and Bonding: Ensure the company is fully insured and bonded to protect against potential liabilities during the repair or replacement process.

✅ Commercial Experience: Prioritize firms with specific experience in handling commercial properties similar to yours. This ensures they understand the unique challenges and requirements of such properties.

✅ Emergency Responsiveness: Evaluate the company’s ability to respond promptly to emergencies. Quick response times can minimize disruption and reduce further damage.

✅ Permit Management: Confirm that the company is capable of handling all necessary permits, including those for street and sidewalk closures, to ensure a smooth and legal installation process.

✅ Safety Protocols: Ensure the company follows strict safety protocols and adheres to local regulations to secure both the installation site and the surrounding area.

✅ Detailed Quotes: Obtain comprehensive quotes that detail all costs involved, allowing for a clear comparison between different service providers.

✅ Turnaround Time: Compare estimated turnaround times from various companies to select one that can complete the job efficiently without compromising quality.

✅ Communication: Choose a company that maintains clear and consistent communication throughout the project, keeping you informed of progress and any potential issues.

✅ References: Request references from previous commercial clients to gain insights into their experience working with the company.

Giroux Brings Decades of Experience to Commercial Glass Repair and Replacement

With over 75 years of experience in the manufacturing of high-quality glass and glazing for the commercial and residential markets, Giroux Glass is available 24/7 to provide expert new glass repair and installation. With just one phone call, we can protect your property and install replacement glass safely and efficiently.