What testing and certification should be required for glass curtain walls used in seismically active Central Asian cities?

In seismically active Central Asian cities such as Almaty and Tashkent, glass curtain walls must be engineered with seismic movement capability and validated through appropriate testing and certification. Required measures include designing flexible anchors and slip joints that permit relative movement between the façade and structure, using laminated safety glass to control breakage patterns, and specifying redundancy in fastenings. Performance testing should include cyclic movement and dynamic load tests to verify that anchors, spandrel systems and perimeter seals maintain weather tightness after repeated displacement. Independent laboratory certification—covering structural performance, air/water infiltration after simulated seismic cycles, and fire/thermal behavior—provides assurance to owners and insurers. Where local codes reference international standards, façade consultants should confirm test protocols align with regional seismic design requirements. Incorporating movement joints, longer serviceability cycles for sealants, and replaceable panel strategies reduces long-term repair costs and enhances occupant safety in earthquake-prone Central Asian locations.