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Ventilating Glass Block Windows
A Chicago Fire Department Quick Drill
Glass block windows hinder ventilation efforts. These windows are designed to provide security, and they present a challenge when firefighters need to remove them for ventilation purposes.
In dealing with glass block windows, always wear eye protection in addition to structural firefighting personal protective gear. The best method for removing glass block windows is described below.
First, remove the bottom row of glass blocks by breaking the center of each block of glass and then knocking out the mortar joints. Use a sledgehammer, axe, Halligan bar or stripping ladder (use the heel of the ladder). A sideways swinging motion works best with the hand tools.
Second, break a column of glass blocks down one of the sides. With the bottom row and a side column removed, the window has lost its binding strength, which will allow for easier removal of the remaining blocks of glass. Be careful, the remaining glass blocks may fall.
Remove the remaining blocks of glass by striking them inward (if it is safe to do so) or by pulling them out with the hooks of the stripping ladder. Work from the bottom row upward, so that gravity works in your favor; the blocks of windows will fall away as they are knocked loose.
Tips for Removing Large Glass Block Windows
When removing large glass block windows, break a side column and only part of the bottom row initially. This will allow for more manageable sections to be removed at a time. Once the first section is cleared out, more of the window may be removed by continuing again with removal of the bottom row of the next section.
Some larger glass block windows will have reinforced wire embedded into the mortar in every other row. Do not leave these bands exposed, either cut them or remove the entire row of glass blocks and the wire; otherwise, they will create an exit hazard that may cut or trap a firefighter or civilian.
Heats Effect on Glass Block Windows
The process of fusing two molten halves of glass together to make each glass block creates a vacuum inside the block. When the glass block is broken the sound of air rushing in can be heard. This noise is often mistaken for the block exploding, which is not the case.
Glass blocks have a minimum 45-minute fire rating (up to 90 minutes), making them a very effective firebreak.
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