In an exclusive interaction with WFM Media, P. Jothi Ramalingam Ponnusamy, Director of Winwall Technology India Pvt. Ltd., discusses Winwall India’s NABL-accredited façade, fire, glass and hardware testing capabilities, its role in Indian Standards development, and the importance of early performance validation for complex high-rise façades.
Q. Could You Please Introduce Winwall Technology India Pvt. Ltd. And Share The Journey That Brought The Company To Where It Is Today?
Winwall Technology India Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture with Winwall Technology Pte. Ltd., Singapore. Winwall Singapore has been performing testing façades, windows and doors for 34 years and maintains testing facilities in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, with joint ventures in India and Thailand. In the last 34 years, Winwall has tested approximately 6,000 projects across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka and Qatar.
Q. How Does Winwall’s Accreditation (ISO 17025, NABL, BIS Recognition) Distinguish The Company In The Field Of Façade And Performance Testing In India?
NABL granted ISO 17025 accreditation to Winwall India in 2015. After auditing the systems and procedures and interacting with Winwall’s technical team, NABL found that the systems and procedures followed align with ISO 17025 requirements, the equipment used is accurate, and the testing team is competent. This gives the façade contractor confidence that the team will test the performance mock-up samples installed in the Winwall lab impartially and that the test results will be accurate.
Q. What Inspired The Winwall Group To Establish A Performance Testing Facility In India, And How Does This Fit Into The Organisation’s Broader Global Vision?
Winwall Singapore is one of the oldest performance testing laboratories in Asia and has always strived to spread its experience across the continent, benefiting the local construction industry either by setting up a laboratory or joining with local players to establish joint ventures. As one of the world’s fastest-developing economies, India needs facilities to test the façades and windows installed in the high-rise buildings being built across the country, ensuring they are safe, energy-efficient and watertight.
“As buildings grow taller and more complex, it is vital to validate an entirely new façade system under severe laboratory conditions before installation. This allows us to identify weak spots, refine the design and deliver a fully proven, high-performance solution on site” |
Q. Could You Walk Us Through The Major Types Of Tests Your Lab Conducts – From Façades And Windows To Fire Testing And Hardware Durability?
In addition to being accredited to conduct performance testing of façades, windows, doors and handrails, Winwall also has the infrastructure to test the fire propagation of semi-combustible cladding systems, perimeter fire barriers (smoke seals), annealed and processed glass used in construction, transport and solar panels, and all kinds of window hardware for durability and operability. Winwall India is also setting up an acoustic testing facility in its Panvel laboratory.
Q. How Does Winwall Ensure That Its Testing Procedures Align With National And International Standards Such As ASTM, AS/NZS, BS EN & CWCT?
The Winwall teams across laboratories share their knowledge and testing experience to stay updated on changes and modifications introduced into different standards and get the accreditation renewed on a timely basis. The Winwall team also played an important role in preparing the Indian Standards for windows, thus ensuring we do not have to depend on the many other standards, such as BS EN, ASTM or AS/NZS, which were specified earlier.
Q. With Advancing Technologies And Evolving Building Codes, How Does Winwall Stay At The Forefront Of Innovation In Façade And Materials Testing?
Winwall has strived to offer world-class testing services to the Indian façade and fenestration industry by constantly upgrading its facilities and modernising its testing equipment. Winwall is keen to expand its scope of services to test all components used in the façade industry, offering a one-stop solution for India’s fast-growing façade industry.
“India’s rapidly evolving skyline demands façade systems that are proven safe, energy-efficient and watertight — and performance testing is the key to achieving this”
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Q. What Advice Would You Give Architects, Engineers And Builders About Integrating Performance Testing Early In The Design Process?
As buildings grow taller and more complex, the responsibility for ensuring their façades can sustain high wind loads, remain energy-efficient and stay watertight falls squarely on the architects and developers. Every developer wants their project to be unique; therefore, the entire façade system uses a completely new set of aluminium extrusions. Under these circumstances, it is vital to validate the entire system’s performance under severe laboratory conditions before installation in the project. We can correct any mistakes and weak spots and then install a fully proven system.
Q. What Are Some Of The Common Challenges You Face When Testing Complex Building Systems Like Curtain Walls Or High-Rise Façades, And How Does Your Team Address Them?
Testing complex systems like curtain walls or high-rise façades requires meticulous planning. At Winwall, we have successfully managed significant challenges, including completing India’s tallest mock-up at 18 metres and the largest test sample under AS/NZS standards, measuring 13.5 metres high by 8 metres wide.
While standard test chambers are typically made of steel, projects of this scale require specialised equipment such as telescopic cranes and 20-metre scissor lifts to be identified and outsourced at the right time. To manage these complexities, Winwall employs a dedicated team of approximately 20 engineers. Our specialised planning, execution and procurement teams ensure that every project is completed seamlessly and on time. Additionally, as no two projects are identical, each requires the chamber to be refabricated from scratch within a set timeframe. Our expert personnel and resources allow us to consistently deliver these unique projects efficiently.
