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.