UGA officials and Choate Construction Co. are examining the breakage of glass panes in four of the 358 panels on the facade of Stegeman Coliseum. Until the cause is determined and resolved, protective coverings have been placed over the entrances into the coliseum. Awnings and a fence have been placed where pedestrians walk outside the building.
Each of the 358 panels consists of three panes in a sandwich configuration, installed as part of the $13 million renovation of Stegeman Coliseum completed in late 2010. Four of the individual panes have inexplicably broken in the period from July 2011 to June 2012. Choate was the general contractor on the project and will work with its glass suppliers and curtain-wall designers to examine the failures.
The panes are made of safety glass, so they break in a spider-web fashion with a few, if any, small pieces falling when a break occurs, much like a car windshield breaking, said Danny Sniff, associate vice president and campus architect.
He added that the structure of the installation is sound. Each of the units is installed in its own supporting structure.