Blast-proof

Sapa Building System’s knowledge of blast resistance has been called into play for the design and building of the new Welsh Assembly Government office at Llandudno Junction in North Wales.

Sapa Building Systems was one of the few companies able to supply a blast-resistant glazing system robust enough to meet government security requirements. Main contractor for the £21m JCT Design and Build contract was Pochin Construction, and the new 8,800m2 office facilities will ultimately accommodate up to 650 staff.

The contract netted a deal worth £1.5m to Sapa’s specialist fabricator and installer, Parry Bowen of Cannock, and included the provision of Powerframe curtain walling, windows and doors to give fully enhanced glazing. 

Fully independently tested under the international standard ISO16933, Sapa’s Powerframe system features glass laminated with polyvinyl butyl membrane, which safely retains the glass splinters caused by a blast. The glass is also firmly clamped in position by aluminium frames backed by hefty steel sub-frames. The glazing effectively acts as a crumple zone in an explosion and this can help deflect up to 300mm to reduce the blast pressure and load on the rest of the building.

Stuart Threlfall, commercial director of Parry Bowen, said: “We worked closely with Sapa’s designers, and employed specialist blast consultants, to meet the demanding specification and tight programme. We believe that the Sapa Powerframe product range is unrivalled in its proven performance.”

Graham Hurrell, Sapa’s Building Systems’ director of specification sales said: “We have an unrivalled range of products that offer an effective line of defense in the event of a building being subjected to either deliberate or accidental blast.

“Introducing this protection into a building’s design specification provides the best possible protection to buildings and, most importantly, the people who work in them.”

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info.buildingsystems.uk@sapagroup.com
www.sapabuildingsystems.co.uk