Fire and its repercussions on life are irreversible, monuments can still be rebuilt. Such unfortunate incidents and the fatalities forever prove to be scarring on the minds of those who have been through the gruesome ordeal and have lost their loved ones, or a part of themselves, irreversibly. [caption id="attachment_34900" align="alignright" width="300"] Source : Time Of India[/caption] We can reduce the occurrence and increase the safety for an occupant by having strict guidelines like our National Building Code and Local Fire Laws that should be followed and audited yearly. We must also learn and adapt best practices from well-developed markets like Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and look for emerging trends which can help improve the life safety. Around the world, buildings are getting taller due to the non-availability of land in prime locations of cities. They also bring an added uncertainty of limited ways...

The company, Ultra Innovations, was started with the aim of providing aesthetically pleasing and technically competent aluminium glass railing systems to the Indian market. The focus was and is on developing newer and better glass railing systems that answer to all the needs of the industry. Systems for external, internal and staircase applications have been developed keeping in mind the needs of developers, architects and interior decorators. Innovative designs of railings with LED lighting options are also available in many configurations. The company undertakes turnkey contracts for the railing systems which include providing designs for the railings as per load and space requirements, supply of all materials involved and installation at site. The railings are tested for safety with regard to both human load and wind load for both internal and external applications. The company also provides training for the installation and assembly of the railing systems to their partner...

Zak World of Windows, after successfully completing its 11 editions in various cities of India, was recently held at the Taj Coromandel hotel in Chennai. The event was an ideal amalgam of informative presentations by experienced industry experts, panel discussions, keynote addresses, exploration of new technologies and products, etc. The event, World of Windows, was organised with an aim to provide proper understanding of fenestration and addressing issues like design and Zak World of Windows Focuses on Trends and Challenges in the Industry 23rd February, 2018 | Taj Coromandel Hotel, Chennai application challenges, measuring the performance of windows and their affectivity in bringing life to the interior spaces. In tune with the main intent of the event, Amir Hashmi, National Sales and Marketing Head of Profine India, discussed on the topic "A Paradigm of Quality and Trust". He explained how the latest products and technologies from Koemmerling uPVC Window &...

Software has changed the way we do business in the 21st century. These amazing programming tools can manage a range of business processes right from the inquiry stage to site installations. Fenestration companies in India can now benefit from the variety of software available to enhance their business. Fenestration industry software can be categorised into two types. To begin with, let’s talk about software that specifically focuses on designing and fabrication of doors, windows and façades; here the profile and the hardware database play a key role. Then we have ‘Enterprise Resource Planning software’ (also known as ERP systems) which can manage an array of your entire business. ERP systems bring all business processes and data to one platform. This not only increases efficiency but provides real-time visibility for your fenestration business. Design and Fabrication Software Design and fabrication software is equipped with databases of numerous well-known architectural profile system suppliers...

Ozone, one of the leading providers of innovative architectural hardware solutions, has introduced ‘Twisted Series of Spider Fittings’ with an all new look of twisted arms. The new design will impart a smooth look to the frameless glass façade. Its curvilinear design reduces stress concentration at transition points and therefore twisted arm designs have better strength to hold the glass panels. With Twisted Spider fittings, no dome nuts is visible on fin side glass, ensuring a seamless look. These are ideally suited for the maximum fin thickness of 25.52 mm and for higher thickness of glass, and allen bolts can be changed. These robust fittings are available in PSS finish and made with high tensile SS-316 material to make them more durable, safe and sustainable. This new range are offered from S Series of premium architectural hardware collection. The range includes the fin spiders in 2-way and 4-way types and...

Art N Glass, one of the renowned glass processing companies in India, has launched a new display centre at Kriti Nagar, Delhi. Spread across an area of 10,000 Sq ft, this is their third display centre in Delhi. Currently, the company has four stores in India - three in Delhi and one in Chandigarh. This newly launched display centre houses various types of door and window systems for interior and exterior. Aarna series provides interior doors, such as sliders, partitions, etc. Minimo series comprises minimalistic slider doors and windows. They also have a window ventilation system under Vayu range, which features 2.5 micron filter that protects insects, dust, smog, etc. and also thermally broken where there is no heat transfer. Besides, the centre showcases uPVC doors and windows, hardware, decorative led mirror, stained glass doors and partitions, insulated glass, railings, etc. Speaking on the launch, Swapnil Pathak, Director of Art...

George Jia is the Vice General Manager at Guangdong Kin Long Hardware Products Co., Ltd.

In recent decades, with the desire for taller structures and with a strive for improved energy efficiency by adding exterior insulation, we sometimes encounter potential conflicts with fire and life safety codes. With the popularity of building certification programmes net-zero energy building initiatives to the active building enclosure movement, expectations continue to increase for building performance, facility life, and occupant health and safety. Because two of the most critical aspects of high-performance buildings are air/water tightness and the enclosure’s thermal performance, the necessity of using more insulation, and high-quality air/water barrier and flashing materials, will continue to increase as the industry trends toward highly energy-efficient building envelopes. With time when it was realised that combustible material was being used in large quantities in exposed areas, code officials and manufacturers got together and established codes and policies to protect life safety. In the process, the required testing of wall assemblies paved...

uPVC windows & doors are the best bet for anyone who is ignorant about their doors and windows. It is environmentally friendly, rust and corrosion-resistant and hence has increased longevity as compared to others. The technology, design and testing process for the uPVC doors and windows helps to bring out their unique properties. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="382"] uPVC windows[/caption] As a tradition in India, we have seen that the doors and windows are done by a carpenter who is known to a family or through someone’s reference, and who primarily uses wood, mild steel or aluminium as frames over some glass and some basic hardware such as handles, shoot-bolts and hinges to create the structure. But the life span of those windows is very short. uPVC windows have many advantages, windows have come a long way from being insignificant to being recognized as the single most important area in a...

The Indian fenestration industry has undergone many changes in terms of engineering and material usage over the years. Wood windows have been in use since the birth of the building construction. Other building elements like steel and aluminium came much later, i.e., in the late 20th century, and only recently uPVC has been introduced in India. Let’s have a look at the evolution of the fenestration industry in India. The Era of Privatization The active growth of the Indian building/construction industry happened in the late 90s and early 2000s, when the IT complexes were sprawling across the country, starting from Bangalore to Hyderabad and Mumbai, Delhi and then Gurugram. Almost all the major real estate developers, such as DLF, Unitech, Hiranandani, Rahejas, Prestige and Brigade started paying attention to constructing state-of-the-art buildings, made using the latest technologies and designs available in the market at the time. Owing to the sudden...

‘A façade is a building’s primary exterior face. It generally includes the main entry to the building and has the most elaborate architectural features. As the most public face of a building, a façade is particularly important to your business. Studies have shown that thoughtful design improvements often lead to greater sales for a business by attracting more customers. Façade Types Looking at contemporary building envelopes (façades), it is obvious that various types of façade systems and materials have been innovatively and architecturally incorporated into buildings. As a majority, façade types mentioned in Figure 1 have been in practice in the sector. In this article, I will be highlighting the various types of glazed façade screen structures and the safety precautions to be considered in the design and engineering stage by architects, façade consultants and façade design engineers, especially considering façade safety and security aspects. Framed Façade Systems  Framed systems...

Zak World of Facades through its 27th edition globally and 6th edition in Mumbai, once again took up the ongoing cause of empowering the facade industry and bringing together the stakeholders to discuss and dwell on some novel concepts and ideas like ventilation, solar shading, structural glass, alternative facade materials - both natural and synthetic in nature, natural cladding material, GFRC and a lot more. The one day conference held every year in prominent metropolitan cities of India is becoming a ‘go to’ event for the most prominent and appreciated names from the construction industry in India. This time, at Mumbai, it was no different when the facade experts from India and abroad converged and shared their expertise and experience in order to achieve best façade execution practices. Needless to say, this edition exhibited some of the finest facade products and hosted some highly technical, but relevant to the Indian...

Dow Corning, one of the global leaders in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, is expanding its India operations with the opening of the SAHAYOG Building Solutions Centre in Mumbai. Dow Corning, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company, had opened its first SAHAYOG Centre in New Delhi last year. The SAHAYOG Building Solutions Center is developed in collaboration with their channel partner, Allarch India Pvt Ltd, a well-known distributor of self-adhesive tapes, silicone sealant & architectural hardware in Maharashtra. The focus of the Center will be on the performance, safety and durability of buildings constructed using Dow Corning silicone materials. It will provide comprehensive project support, industry-leading technical training and hands-on skill-building workshops. It will also offer enhanced technical support and customer service to Indian customers, serving industry professionals across the value chain. SAHAYOG will enable visitors to see and experience the company’s wide range of high-performance building...

The Soudal Window System (SWS) is one of the most complete systems for the closing and watertight installation of windows. Soudal, based in Belgium, is Europe’s leading independent manufacturer of sealants, construction foams and adhesives. The professional window-joint system, SWS, is a combination of several products which provide the seal between exterior joinery and the structure of the building envelope. Soudal Window System (SWS) can be used in new construction or for renovation, in several kind of constructions (solid brickwork, concrete, timber frame, Passive House constructions), and in conjunction with all sorts of exterior joinery: aluminium, wood and PVCu. SWS has been officially tested in conjunction with various parameters and in various setups. Product combination can consist of sealants, membranes (several kinds), adhesives, liquid flashing, PU-foams. When properly installed, SWS offers: Airtightness and vapourtightness on the inside Optimum thermal and acoustic insulation in the centre Weather and wind protection on...

“Don’t stare at the closed door too long, you’ll miss the window opening.” – Anon. Windows are fenestrations whereby our shell spaces integrate with the outdoors. These cut-outs, whether big or small, full length or sitting on a cill, adorning a living space or ventilating an attic, offer a multitude of treatments defining their function. Where trendy becomes the defining theme along with functionality, the markets flood with endless treatments which do not only adorn the window in a home but also render it fruitful for the enhanced purpose of its light and ventilation intake, acoustics control, visibility or views, security etc. This article shall discuss features and trending materials for windows which through innovation or sometimes going back to traditional adornments assist in amplifying the window with that extra edge of purpose or function. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="750"] Picture windows Sea front window[/caption] Windows may be treated within, around,...

Ozone, a dominant international player in the architectural hardware domain, introduced the Telescopic Automatic Sliding Door System recently. This system works on a double pulley mechanism enabling wider clear door openings occupying minimum parking space. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="392"] The system works on a double-pulley mechanism[/caption] With the emergence of spacious & luxurious commercial spaces, the need for wider door openings is on a rising trend, The Ozone Telescopic Automatic Sliding Door System is the best solution for such requirements in the category. These systems are efficient in handling high-traffic movement yet ensure smoother door performance with every closing or opening. In this system, in order to achieve a wider clear door opening space, two pieces of active door panels/leaves should be installed in a space of one. These 2 door panels/leaves move simultaneously at a 2:1 speed ratio. The Ozone Automatic Telescopic Sliding Door System is an ideal solution...