Emergency Glass Checklist for Property Managers

Property managers often have to coordinate broken glass quickly while balancing occupant safety, building access, business operations, ownership communication, and insurance documentation. A repeatable checklist can reduce delays when a storefront, entrance, window, or door is damaged.

1. Secure the immediate area

Keep tenants, employees, residents, and the public away from unstable glass. Use barriers or controlled access when appropriate. Do not ask untrained staff to remove large broken panes or hanging glass.

2. Identify whether the property is exposed

Determine whether the opening can still lock and whether broken glass has left the property open to weather or unauthorized entry. If the property cannot be secured, request emergency board-up or another temporary securing method.

3. Send clear photos and access details

Provide photos of the full opening, damaged glass, frame, door hardware, surrounding area, and any visible glass mark. Include the property address, suite or unit when appropriate, parking/loading instructions, lockbox or access procedures, and an on-site contact.

4. Note the operational priority

Tell the glass company whether the opening affects a main entrance, fire/egress route, storefront, leasing office, occupied unit, restaurant, or other high-priority area. The information helps the service team understand the urgency and coordination needs.

5. Keep insurance documentation organized

If the incident may be insured, preserve photos, incident records, police-report information when applicable, estimates, invoices, and emergency securing records. Beltway accepts insurance-related glass work and can provide estimates and available job documentation. The insurance carrier determines coverage and payment.

6. Build the completed job into the property record

After the repair, retain the service documentation and relevant product information with the property file. For recurring commercial portfolios, keeping a history of openings, glass types, and prior work can make future service coordination faster.

Information to send with a service request

• Property name and address
• On-site contact and callback number
• Photos of glass, frame, and hardware
• Emergency/security status
• Access and parking instructions
• Service type or affected opening
• Insurance company/claim number if applicable
• Any required vendor or management instructions

Beltway’s commercial workflow is designed around call, text, email, photo upload, emergency response, and insurance-claim support for property managers across the DMV.