lgn1905

Laminated glass stops burglary at Dutch store

From left to right: Robbert van den Broek (Ben Evers), Bernard van Beurden (owner of Foto de Vakman) and Bram van Huit (Glaverbel) ©Combi Foto de Vakman

Foto de Vakman, a photographic equipment store located in Veghel, The Netherlands was saved from a burglary in July 1999 because glass supplier Ben Evers recommended the installation of laminated security glass throughout the shop front.

Robbert van den Broek of Glassindustrie Ben Evers B.V. told LGN: "We recommended laminated glass as a security measure. When the thieves attacked the store, they tried for several minutes to break through the glass and finally even resorted to trying to ram their getaway car through the laminated glass storefront – but this gave people living in an apartment above the shop ample time to alert the police. The thieves fled without any takings."

Glasindustrie Ben Evers BV is a ISO 9002 insulated glass manufacturer based in Schijndel, The Netherlands. The company sells laminated glass containing 0.76, 1.52 and 2.28 mm PVB thickness. For three years, Ben Evers has been selling 'star system' laminated security glass to glaziers throughout The Netherlands.

The star system indicates strength

The star system glass was supplied by Glaverbel of Belgium. Company spokesman Bram van Huit commented: "We are gratified the launch of this product line in 1997 has proven to really help in preventing crime. We recommend laminated security glass for optimal protection against burglaries and print one or two stars on laminated glass to indicate its strength." The security glass installed by Ben Evers that stopped the burglary in the Foto de Vakman store was two-star laminated glass.

Van den Broek said: "We started selling the 'star system' glass because our customers wanted to understand more about the qualities of the glass they are buying. Previously, the main customers for laminated security glass were schools and city halls. Now, glaziers, builders and even consumers look to us as 'the security glass experts'. Consumers also like the security logo – we offer them the option to purchase laminated glass without the logo, but there's no demand for that."

Bram van Huit added: "The Netherlands' building standards commission NEN 5096 (Security for residential homes) is, along with the Dutch police force, considering a proposal to legislate the use of two-star laminated glass in isolation glass for new homes. The construction would be: outside: 6 mm float glass followed by a 9 or 12 mm space; inside: 4 mm float glass, 1.52 mm PVB, 4 mm float glass."