BAHRAIN-REGISTERED building material testing and envelope design company Façade Design and Services SPC (FDS) aims to launch a UKAS-accredited laboratory for testing weather and performance of facades, in Bahrain later this year.

The proposed centre will have the capability to undertake various tests including AWW (air, wind and water) testing.
“As part of our plans to boost the range of services we offer to the construction industry, and as registered building material laboratory testing engineers, we are targeting the last quarter of 2010 as the launch date for the facility here in Bahrain,” says Peter Bustin, managing director of FDS, SPC in Bahrain. “We are also looking at 2011 for the potential launch of a ballistic testing centre in the region.”
Among the latest developments at the company, FDS successfully conducted ballistic testing of security glass at the UK-based DGA (DJ Goode & Associates) Testing Centre to meet the requirements of EN 1063. The glass was produced by Bahrain Prism Glass Factory (BPGF) for a project in the Gulf.

BPGF is the first glass factory of its kind to provide innovative glass solutions that meet diverse architectural needs from its 35,000 sq m state-of-the-art, fully automated glass fabrication plant at Hidd in Bahrain, states T Mani, general manager of BPGF.
“BGPF is highly committed to providing top-quality products to specialised firms and has been recognised by industry experts as being one of the most dependable and professional in the market since its launched operations,” says Mani. “In March, BPGF was awarded EN ISO-9001:2008, EN ISO- 14001:2004, BS Oshas 18001:2007 certificates for its integrated management system, which clearly indicates that all the functional and process-related activities at the company are evaluated, aligned and implemented in a unified way.”
BPGF is the only factory in Bahrain with a Pro E Magnum tempering furnace and automated lamination line with autoclave.
The test, commissioned by BPGF, was undertaken to prove the design performance and protection level of the security glass designed by FDS in Bahrain, in strict compliance with the preliminary standards in the CEN for glass (EN 1063) and for doors, windows and shutters (ENV 1522/1523).
“The testing of glass under strict conditions will provide clients the assurance of having certified glass installed in security screens, and a greater degree of confidence in the performance of security-rated glass and its ability to protect VIPs and occupants of buildings in the event of an attack,” says Bustin.
Further tests will be undertaken for BPGF to certify different types of glass designed to provide protection against the various risk levels and attacks anticipated.
FDS is looking at further diversifying its scope of services to the region. The company is currently working closely with international aluminium system providers as well as BPGF to develop blast-resistant glasses, systems and screens in a bid to add value and sustainability to many prestigious buildings in the region, he adds.
The company recently supervised and co-ordinated the testing of a screen system, in conjunction with a local system supplier, to withstand a notified level of bomb attack. The test was conducted at the UK-based Germanischer Lloyd test facility in Cumbria.
“A close working relationship with DGA consulting engineers, who are experts in the field of bomb blast and ballistic testing, provides FDS the ability to offer services from the UK to the Gulf region and certify both types of systems and glass components, rating them to EN/ISO standards for their ability to withstand the different forms and levels of attack,” adds Bustin.
Facade Design and Services SPC, Bahrain, along with its UK-based affiliate Facade Design and Services (UK) serves the specialist contracting market for the design and construction of glass facades.
In association with FDS, BPGF is all set to achieve the certification this month (June) for the following three types of test categories identified as BR 3, 4 and 6. The bullet make-up velocity and type are:
• BR3 – 0.357 Magnum (handgun), full metal jacket, coned bullet, soft core, velocity 430 m/sec;
• BR4 – 0.44 Rem Magnum (handgun), full metal jacket, flat nose, soft core, velocity 440m/sec; and
• BR6 – 7.62 X 51 (rifle round), full metal jacket, pointed bullet, soft core (lead), velocity 830 m/sec.
BPGF has been awarded a project in Exeter, UK, for the supply of architectural multiple laminated glasses. “This marks the beginning of a new era in the Middle East’s glass industry lead by Bahrain Prism Glass Factory,” Mani concludes.