Deciding on Code for Fire Safety in Buildings

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Event Location: Zak World of Facades at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 10th April 2015.

After many successful and highly motivating events all over India, another exclusive Forum on Façade Design & Engineering was held as a part of Zak World of Facades at ITC Maratha, Mumbai on 10th April 2015. The former conferences created a benchmark in the city in its earlier editions in 2013 & 2014. Zak World of Facades conference is determined to propagate awareness of the newest cutting-edge technology and perspectives in the field of façade design. A hot topic of discussion at the conference this time was the new Mumbai Fire Brigade regulations on glass façades. The conference expedited a platform for networking, necessary in the professional world.

The first session of the conference saw discussions on ‘Efficient design of façades on high rise towers’. Case studies on Ocean Heights in Dubai (twisted) (310m), Entisar Tower in Dubai (520m), Central Market in Abu Dhabi (381m) & Three Pacific Place in Hong Kong (200m) were presented. The design process and detailing used on these towers were discussed. The ways to employ the same technologies for Mumbai high rises were also mulled over. Robert Stephens, Executive Director, of Inhabit Group presented a few case studies. Another panel discussion in this session was on the Use of glass in buildings. The future of façade consultancy/engineering was also talked about. The panel also discussed the trends in façade design, the demands for tomorrow and expectations for 2020. Lars Anders, Managing Director, Priedemann moderated the discussion.

The session two panel discussions focused on topics like tall & grand buildings. Case studies on the façades of the 1 World Trade Centre, New York & the Mumbai International Airport T2 were presented by Christoph Timm, Asso. Director, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Another discussion was on ‘Latest developments in façade technology – A new holistic approach’. The eminent panel members delved up on topics like functional optimization of building skins considering energy & comfort; safety & security.

Session three discussed the topics including designing façades with structural laminated glass inter-layers, hardware for façade application, façade access systems for complex structures and hardware for façade application.

The eminent panelist included Niteen Parulekar, MD, Niteen Parulekar Architects; AK Garg, Sr. Vice President – Procurement, Reliance Industries; John Guest, President – Construction, Piramal Realty; Jawahar HH, Director, Glass Wall Systems; Antony John, Engineering Director, Schüco India; Muttaqi Ahmed, Head – Contracts, L&T Realty; and Ashok Khemlani, Managing Director, Clean India Group. The afternoon sessions also saw discussions on Rainscreen metal cladding systems using Titanium Zinc.

Another seminar will be held at Bengaluru in July and at New Delhi in September, promising to offer better knowledge to all the participants. Organized by Zak, these seminars are a part of the build-up to the mega exhibitions on Glass, Windows & Façade and Aluminium Extrusions to be held in Mumbai from the 10-13 December 2015.