DSS-M.07.03 — Fragmentation Pattern (tempered fracture documentation)

A fragmentation pattern documents the post-break state of a fully tempered (or heat-strengthened) lite that has fractured. Tempered fracture produces characteristic small, interlocking “dice”; heat-strengthened fracture produces larger, irregular islands with longer cracks. Any fractured lite is an integrity condition and is out of in-place restoration scope under VIS (CAT-5 by condition/location). This DSS defines how to identify and document the condition; it does not prescribe repair. Inspect from a safe position under VIS lighting/geometry after ensuring the area is made safe; record surface numbering and worked-surface status on Forms:

• Tempered: pane appears as a mosaic of small cubes (“dice”); numerous short, tortuous cracks; often audible “ticking.” Fragments typically remain held in place by gaskets, pressure plates, or interlayer (if laminated tempered).
• Heat-strengthened: larger, jagged fragments and longer crack ligaments; fewer but wider pieces than fully tempered.
• Common origins: edge damage, hole/notch stress, NiS inclusion, thermal stress, impact, or frame bite. Origin may be evident as a denser crack nucleus (rosette) or at a hardware penetration.
• Spandrel/ceramic-frit zones: fracture is often masked from view on the room side; inspect from the brightest vantage where safe.

Do not perform MSRT on fractured glass. Treat the lite as unstable.

Visual signature

• Tempered “dice”: dense, fine mosaic; difficult to trace a single crack long distance.
• Heat-strengthened: larger blocky islands; individual cracks run farther before turning.
• Laminated tempered: dice pattern on one or both plies with interlayer retention; may show offset patterns ply-to-ply.

Viewing / lighting

• From a safe, controlled position, document at 36 in and 72 in (12 in macros only if safe). Use normal incidence for overall pattern and oblique sweep (~60°-120°) to highlight the crack network density and any suspected origin (edge, corner, hole/notch, impact).

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). Note product family if known (tempered, heat-strengthened, laminated, IGU). If fracture involves an IGU, indicate which ply (outboard/inboard) has fragmented.

• CAT-5 (default): Any fractured lite (tempered or heat-strengthened), regardless of fragment size or retention, is Non-Repairable / Out of In-Place Scope.
• Reassign only if unbroken: If re-inspection determines the pane is not fractured (e.g., a star-break in annealed/laminated without full fragmentation), classify under M.04.02 (impact star) or M.07.02 (through-thickness crack) as appropriate-still an integrity condition (CAT-5).

CAT is governed by integrity/location for cracks; acceptance is evaluated separately under VIS §6.

• vs. Annealed/laminated star break: Star/bullseye presents radial arms/rings without full “dice” mosaic. If only cracked (not fully fragmented), use M.04.02 / M.07.02 (still CAT-5).
• vs. Patterned privacy/etched glass: Decorative patterns can mimic a network from afar; raking light and touchless close visual confirm whether it’s a crack mesh vs. a surface pattern.
• vs. Surface films/residues: Films do not form polygonal, interlocking boundaries; a mosaic with edge lift or loose granules indicates fracture.
• IGU specifics: If only one pane in an IGU is fragmented, use parallax and reflections to note whether it is #1/#2 (outboard) or #3/#4 (inboard). Document cavity debris or fogging separately (A.01 family).

• Safety & stabilization note. Confirm that the area is barricaded or the lite is secured per site protocol prior to close documentation.
• Photo set (VIS):
• Overall: 72 in and 36 in, normal incidence, capturing the full pane and adjacent framing/hardware.
• Oblique: at least one oblique sweep frame showing mosaic density and any suspected origin (edge/hole/corner).
• Detail (if safe): a macro of the fragmentation field at a representative area; a macro at the suspected origin (edge chip, hole root, impact).
• For IGUs/laminates, include a reflection/parallax shot to establish which ply has fragmented.
• Forms: Pane ID; product family (tempered / heat-strengthened / laminated); surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal); worked surface Y/N (generally N); reveal status (not applicable for fractured); lighting/time; geometry checklist; photos attached.
• Optional fragment size survey (if and only if safe & permitted). On a secured, removed specimen (not in-place), record a representative fragment size field for reference against product norms (do not attempt on an installed, unstable lite).
• Disposition. Record CAT-5 and notify responsible party per project protocol (e.g., replacement, temporary shoring, manufacturer/engineer review). Note any suspected mechanism (impact, edge damage, hole/notch stress, thermal, NiS) as informative only.

• M.07.03 Fragmentation Pattern (tempered) - Pane exhibits full “dice” fragmentation on surface #___ / ply [outboard/inboard] under VIS geometry (normal + oblique). Integrity condition; MSRT not applicable. Classification: CAT-5 (out of in-place scope). Suspected origin: [edge chip / hole root / impact / thermal / unknown] (informative). Photo set and forms attached; area secured per site protocol; acceptance per VIS §6 (separate).

⭐ DSS-Th

Damage Specification Standards 2026

DSS-Th Thermal/Hot Particle/Fusion & Thermal Stress

Draft v1.0

Th.01 Hot Particle Impingement

• Th.01.01 Welding slag spatter - fused nodules/pits
• Th.01.02 Grinder spark embed (ferrous peppering)
• Th.01.03 Oxy‐fuel/plasma specking

Th.02 Heat Skid / Thermal Streaks

• Th.02.01 Torch proximity streaking
• Th.02.02 Overheated grinder/belt burn line

Th.03 Thermal Stress / Shock / Breakage

• Th.03.01 Differential heating stress crack (edge origin)
• Th.03.02 Spontaneous tempered break (NiS‐related; documentation)
• Th.03.03 Local heat source imprint (heaters/IR)

Th.04 Solar Concentration / Reflective Interactions

• Th.04.01 Localized thermal “hot spot” imprint (rare; envelope interaction)