Webinar Recording: Wind Events and Glass Breakage: Lessons Learned in San Francisco

In March 2023, winter storms produced two significant wind events in San Francisco within a span of one week. Glass at several mid- and high-rise buildings fell to the street below, resulting in “shelter in place” directives and local media coverage. Additional storm-related glass breakage and other facade failures occurred but were not as widely publicized. Following WJE’s investigation of these buildings, the City of San Francisco issued revisions to their Facade Inspection and Maintenance Program. Primarily affecting buildings fifteen stories and taller, these changes were intended to safeguard against future failures and have already led to the identification and repair of broken glass on other high-rises in the city.

In this one-hour webinar, architects Andrew Bishop and Aaron Weiss, along with engineer Kaat Ceder, discuss the failures observed in San Francisco, explain recent updates to the city’s facade inspection and maintenance program, and offer practical recommendations for owners and facade designers—in San Francisco and beyond—based on their investigations.

By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

• Identify common causes of glass breakage in high-rise glazing and clarify how facade inspectors can evaluate an “unsafe condition,” as defined by the code
• Describe measures that property owners can take to mitigate the risk of broken glass falling to the street during a storm
• Summarize design considerations for architects, facade designers, and specifiers to lower the probability of glass fall-out and help their clients reduce maintenance costs and liability
• Explain the San Francisco facade inspection and maintenance program requirements, including the recent updates

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