README

Thermal Shock Risk and WFP Freeze-Point Calculator for Cold-Weather Residential Window Cleaning

This repository accompanies the Binx Professional Cleaning guide: Cold-Weather Residential Window Cleaning: Physics, Risk, and Practice for Northern Ontario

Overview

Cleaning residential windows in cold weather — particularly during the Northern Ontario spring transition when glass surfaces can remain well below freezing while air temperatures climb — carries real physical risk. The primary hazard is thermal shock: applying warm or room-temperature cleaning solution to cold glass creates a temperature differential that stresses the pane at its edges and existing micro-defects.

This project provides:

Thermal shock risk calculator — five-variable assessment of glass surface temperature, delta-T, and risk band
WFP freeze feasibility calculator — evaluate whether a water-fed pole cleaning solution will remain fluid at operating temperature
Reference datasets — glass thermal tolerance thresholds and WFP solution freeze-point curves for 22 configurations each
Multi-language implementations — Python (PyPI), JavaScript (npm), Rust (crates.io), Ruby (RubyGems), Elixir (Hex.pm), Java (Maven Central), PHP (Packagist)

Quick Start

Python

pip install residential-window-cleaning-2026

from residential_window_cleaning_2026 import (
    GlassType, assess_thermal_shock_risk
)

result = assess_thermal_shock_risk(
    glass_type=GlassType.DOUBLE_IGU_LOWE,
    ambient_temp_c=-8.0,
    wind_speed_kmh=15.0,
    sun_factor=0.0,       # north-facing, shade
    solution_temp_c=18.0,
)

print(result.risk_band.value)   # 'low'
print(result.advisory)

CLI

rwc-assess thermal-shock \
    --glass-type double_igu_lowe \
    --ambient-temp -8 \
    --wind-speed 15 \
    --sun-factor 0 \
    --solution-temp 18

JavaScript

npm install @veronica_caledon/residential-window-cleaning-2026

const { assessThermalShockRisk } = require('@veronica_caledon/residential-window-cleaning-2026');

const result = assessThermalShockRisk({
  glassType: 'double_igu_lowe',
  ambientTempC: -8,
  windSpeedKmh: 15,
  sunFactor: 0,
  solutionTempC: 18,
});

console.log(result.riskBand); // 'low'

Glass Types Supported

Key	Description
`single_annealed`	Pre-1990 single-pane annealed glass
`single_tempered`	Single-pane tempered (shower doors, entry glass)
`double_igu`	Standard double insulated glass unit
`double_igu_lowe`	Double IGU with Low-E coating (post-2000 residential)
`triple_igu`	Triple-pane IGU
`triple_igu_lowe`	Triple-pane with Low-E — common in post-2010 Northern Ontario builds
`laminated`	Laminated safety glass (sidelites, skylights)
`wired`	Wired glass — lowest thermal shock tolerance

Datasets

Published on Hugging Face at veronica_caledon/residential-window-cleaning-2026:

glass_temp_risk_thresholds — thermal conductivity, safe surface temperature minimums, and maximum delta-T by glass type (22 configurations)
wfp_solution_freeze_curves — freeze point, viscosity, contact angle, and streak risk for 22 WFP cleaning solution formulations

Northern Ontario Context

North Bay and Sudbury experience freeze-thaw transition periods in March–April during which exterior glass surfaces commonly reach −10°C to −20°C overnight, while daytime air temperatures climb to +2°C to +8°C. Low-E coatings — standard in post-2000 Ontario residential construction — reduce heat transfer from indoors, keeping outer panes colder than ambient during morning hours.

The cleaning window for each day is narrow: too early and glass is too cold; too late and afternoon winds increase solution evaporation and streak risk. This calculator helps identify that window precisely.

Compliance References

WSIB O. Reg. 213/91 — Construction Projects regulation governing ladder safety for residential exterior work
CSA Z259 series — Fall protection equipment and procedures
Health Canada — Propylene glycol and surfactant classification for residential cleaning product safety
ISO 11479 / ASTM C1036 — Flat glass specifications relevant to thermal performance ratings

About

This calculator was developed to support field work by Binx Professional Cleaning in Northern Ontario.

Binx serves residential and commercial clients in North Bay, Sudbury, and surrounding communities. Window cleaning services: binx.ca/residential-windows.php.

veronica_caledon / residential-window-cleaning-2026

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