TECHNAL®’s new non-fire rated curtain wall assembly with SIDERISE® perimeter fire protection successfully completes EN-1364-4 fire resistance test required in the UAE.

Dubai, UAE; November 22, 2017:  Building fires are a major hazard to civilians and a cause of death globally with around six million people being seriously injured in fire accidents per annum resulting in over 500,000 deaths. In the GCC region too, where recent spate of fire incidents in high-rises has put the spotlight on the need to install quality façades that protect valuable life and property. In response to this, the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code 2017 has outlined stringent measures and regulations that building contractors must follow to protect façades; and one such requirement is compliance with EN-1364-4 fire resistance test for curtain wall assembly. 

At a seminar in Dubai attended by Civil defence officials, contractors, consultants, specifiers and developers, Technal Middle East and SideRise elaborated on the requirements of EN-1364-4 test to ensure façades are fire resistant. They also announced the successful test completion of TECHNAL®’s curtain wall system with SIDERISE® perimeter fire protection in compliance with the EN 1364-4 assembly test. 

According to Sam Robinson, General Manager, Technal Middle East: “The requirement for curtain wall assembly with a physical barrier that prevents the flames, fumes and hot gases propagating will help to control the growth and spread of fire in a building, thus protecting both life and property by allowing occupants to escape. Fire resistance is determined through destructive fire testing and the EN 1364-4 fire test is one of the most stringent and hardest to get through, so I am proud that our curtain wall system met the test requirements and be a leader in providing such solutions. This will give building contractors, consultants and specifiers the confidence that our product will perform as expected.”

He adds, “The façades and fenestration market in the Middle East continues to scale new heights of sophistication, where bespoke solutions are the order of the day. TECHNAL®, a market leader in propriety architectural aluminium systems, has risen to every challenge by creating customised solutions that meet the evolving architectural requirements of the region and respond to new trends and regulations.”

The tested EN-1364-4 is proven to be the most stringent test compared to other standards used currently.

Chris Hall, Commercial Development Officer, SideRise Group, says: “Like stringent code requirements for cladding assemblies on building envelopes, the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code 2017 specifies that glazed curtain wall also need to demonstrate compliance through tested assembly to ensure safety of buildings. TECHNAL®’s curtain wall assembly with our fire protection system is test approved and provides peace of mind to contractors and ensuring the safety of building residents in the case of a fire.”

Fully tested up to REI 180 minutes, the approved design extends the rating of the compartment floor to the exterior curtain wall assembly up to three hours.