Pros and cons of glass facades

28 Jul 2022 CW Team

A recent fire in June 2022 at Dev Complex, a hospital near Parimal Gardens in Gujarat, retrained the spotlight on glass facades and the ensuing problems of ventilation, fire evacuation and fire safety. Following the incident, the Gujarat High Court directed the Gujarat government and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to do away with non-fire-compliant glass facades. Seventy-five people, including 13 newborns, were rescued.

Another fire occurred at a commercial complex in Mundka, in Delhi. The building had a single point of entry and exit along with a fixed glass facade, both critical aspects in this mishap.

Fire risks aside, glass facade systems impact the environment. The seamless integration of the building into the built environment, clean and non-obstructive lines, visual connectivity, indoor and outdoor connectivity via complete transparency they offer often make these towers hard to discern for birds, with many flying into glass facades.

For instance, recently in Surat, a flock of about 40 rosy starlings hit the highly reflective glass wall of the Surat District Cooperative Bank. On a larger scale, glass buildings have a considerable impact on their immediate environment. “It is just like the greenhouse effect,” Neeraj Kapoor, Founder and Managing Director, Kalpakrit, explains. “We have heard the term being used for the planet but glass replicates that effect at a building level. Once heat is trapped inside, it needs to be thrown out, which is where air-conditioning systems come in.”

To read the full article, CLICK HERE

Infrastructure Energy

19 Sep 2025

J&K CM Rules Out Power Privatisation, Focuses on Sector Reform

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed speculation regarding privatisation of electricity in the Union Territory, emphasising that his priority is to strengthen and reform the power sector.“We are not discussing privatisation. By reducing losses, improving billing efficiency, and enhancing revenue, there will be no need for it. My vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector in J&K,” Abdullah stated.He addressed the gathering at the 58th Engineers’ Day at SKICC on Monday evening, an event honouring Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya for his pioneering contri..

Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock to Get Tech-Driven Modernisation with Finland

The Maharashtra government, in collaboration with Finland, will modernise Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock using advanced technology, state minister Nitesh Rane announced on Wednesday.Rane met a delegation of Finnish officials and representatives of Finnish companies at the dock to discuss strategic plans for upgrading the facility in south Mumbai, according to an official statement.Built in the 19th century, Sassoon Dock is one of Mumbai’s oldest and busiest fishing harbours. Operations currently exceed its original capacity, raising concerns over hygiene, odour, fish handling standards, an..

Agarwal Industrial Wins Rs 3.3 Billion IOCL Bitumen Tender

Agarwal Industrial Corporation rose 3.84 per cent to Rs 945.65 after announcing it had secured a prestigious tender from Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) worth Rs 3.3 billion.In a regulatory filing during market hours, the company confirmed it had won the tender to supply Bulk Bitumen (VG-30 and VG-40 grades) to IOCL’s Kakinada locations.The firm quantity under the award totals around 60,500 tonnes across 11 parcels, while the optional quantity is approximately 33,000 tonnes across six parcels. This brings the total awarded quantity to roughly 93,500 tonnes. At current market prices, the firm o..