The Protecting People First Foundation has launched an on-site study to document the contribution of impact-resistant glass, hurricane shutters and other protective glazing technologies in preventing injury and property loss as a result of Hurricane Charley.

Project Safe Windows, as the initiative is called, started this week with staff members traveling to Florida on Wednesday and Thursday to begin surveying damage. The foundation has partnered with ABS Consulting, a risk management firm, to analyze the performance of various forms of safety glass in the areas hardest hit by the August hurricane. The team will conduct an engineering analysis.

Protecting People First and ABS invite the public and property managers to participate by sharing data and experience on the performance of windows in homes, offices or public facilities during Hurricane Charley.

"We've already received a good deal of anecdotal evidence of impact-resistant glazing and safety window film making a big difference in preventing injury and dramatically reducing property damage in Hurricane Charley," said Eric Cote, manager of the Protecting People First Foundation. "Our objective with Project Safe Windows is to conduct a detailed analysis to validate these initial reports and document findings from an engineering standpoint."