Wrightstyle and an Aluminum Anniversary

Wrightstyle and an Aluminum Anniversary

Wrightstyle and an Aluminum AnniversaryIf it was a wedding anniversary, a traditional gift—albeit somewhat unromantic—would be aluminum, which makes some sense because Wrightstyle supplies glazing systems in both aluminum and steel. However, for us, it’s an even more important anniversary because it was ten years ago that we first introduced a market-leading glazing system that could withstand the pressure impact of a lorry bomb. It was ground-breaking at the time; there were more than a few doubters who said that a glazing system couldn’t resist such an immense blast pressure. But we developed our structurally-glazed system and independently tested it against the equivalent of 500 kilos of TNT (acknowledged to be the explosive impact of a lorry bomb) which is roughly ten times the size of a car bomb.

Known in the industry for developing glazing solutions for challenging specifications, Wrightstyle was initially approached with a set of criteria for the Central Security and Coordination Command Centre for the Asian Games hosted in Doha, Qatar in December 2006. Initially designed to protect and prevent any disruption to the critical operations of the Games’ coordination, the $31 million building also needed to be designed with the intention to hand it over to the Qatar military on completion of the Asian Games. The strict criteria from the project architects and consultants required the majority of the external glazing to mitigate the effects of a medium-sized lorry bomb and a close range car bomb.

Other requirements were that the glazing have solar control, be thermally performing, and to have an external sight line of less than ¼ inch and internal sightline of less than 2½ inches to maximize vision to the building exterior—project requirements for which there was no tested system available on the market. Our solution was achieved through a high-specification structural glazing technique that bonds the glass to the framing support system so that, in an explosion, the components work together to safely absorb the thermal shock of the explosion. Successful tests were carried out independently by Advantica Limited at a specialist site within RAF Spadeadam, Northumberland. The simulated lorry bomb attack was immediately followed by a simulated car bomb attack (100 kilos of TNT). The lorry bomb was detonated about 250 feet from the test rig and the car bomb was detonated at a distance of over 65 feet, producing a higher loading on the facade.

The Wrightstyle system set a new benchmark for a glazing system to mitigate against blast attack and, with terrorism much in the news, has now been supplied to a number of projects in the United States, UK, and the MENA and Asia-Pacific regions. It is a worldwide success, protecting high-risk buildings and those adjacent to them. We’ve also been pushing the boundaries – for example, to make our advanced system look no different from non-protected glazing systems. Such an achievement deserves more than a lump of aluminum but, being also being a supplier of aluminum glazing systems, we could make good use of it.

About the Author

Tim Kempster is managing director for Wrightstyle.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.