Glass facade system SPIDER GLASS®

fixedweather-resistant

Description
SPIDER GLASS® is a complete glazing and fixing-to-structure system for attached exterior glazing (VEA). The system comprises POINT S or POINT D safety glass units fitted with through-fixings, connection elements to the supporting structure (anchors and connectors) and sealing systems. This non-traditional solution is validated by the CSTB Technical Approval no. 2.1/13-1571_V2.

Applications

• Vertical or inclined façades
• Double-skin façades
• Roofs, glazed canopies and atria
• Lift enclosures
• Interior fit-outs
• Street furniture

Benefits
SPIDER GLASS® SYSTEMS provides compatible glazed components and metal fittings specifically designed for VEA. The system simplifies insurance and regulatory considerations for installers, designers and building owners. It enables designers to create smooth, transparent building envelopes supported by slender, airy structures.

Range and components

• Glass units: safety glazing in the POINT S or POINT D ranges forming an integrated assembly of glass and articulated fixings.
• Anchors: metal elements designed to link the glazed façade to the load-bearing structure; they support the dead weight of the glass, climatic loads (wind, snow) and allow flatness adjustment. Anchors may have 1 to 4 arms (satellites) depending on position and include adjustment and thermal expansion features. Four stainless steel anchor models are offered with polished or satin finishes as required.
• Connectors: elements ensuring the connection between anchors and the secondary structure or main support; multiple solutions are available to suit various junction configurations.
• Sealing systems: sealing between glass panes using extruded silicone sealant on a backing rod; peripheral silicone profiles ensure sealing between glass panes or between glass and the building structure.

Structural configurations

• Close-coupled structure (S1 system): anchors fixed directly to the supporting structure via connectors (omega I or II). The panel-to-structure distance is about 100 mm; connectors are designed to accommodate rectangular, round or elliptical profiles.
• Offset structure (S2 system): glass panes suspended by vertical tensioned cables; the glass panel is braced by a network of rods perpendicular to the glazing or by a glass stiffener, allowing the support to be set back from the façade plane and increasing transparency; rods can span up to 2 m.
• Offset structure (S3 system): glass panes suspended by vertical tensioned cables with bracing provided by horizontal cables.

Installation notes
For each glazing unit one fixing serves as a reference point; the other fixings permit translation in one or two directions. Parts are equipped with adjustment devices. An SPIDER GLASS® SYSTEMS installation guide is available to installers, detailing component assembly and sealing procedures.

Technical features / specifications

• Installation guide available for installer clients (details component assembly and sealing procedures).
• Design principles: the load-bearing structure is sized to carry the weight of the glazing and climatic loads; it transmits no loads to the glass units.
• Glazing only supports climatic loads and must be independent from adjacent panes to avoid load transfer.
• Different types of supporting structures are possible (close-coupled, offset, etc.).
• Installation: one reference fixing per pane; other fixings allow translations; parts fitted with adjustment devices.
• Sealing between panes: extruded silicone sealant on a backing rod; peripheral silicone profile between panes or between panes and structure.
• Regulatory elements: CSTB Technical Approval no. 2.1/13-1571_V2; compliant with recommendations of CSTB booklet 3574-V2.