Part 3
– Resilient Community –
High-performance storefront, curtain wall, window and entrance systems promote mental health and well-being, as well as physical safety and security. Communities depend on these essential facilities to remain operational under the worst circumstances. Continuing our blog series, we address how fenestration systems can meet these challenges to protect people and property from both natural and man-made disasters.
As standard, EFCO, Tubelite and Wausau Window systems are tested for air and water resistance, structural integrity, condensation resistance and thermal cycling. Where heightened security performance is required, fenestration and framing systems are engineered to withstand greater challenges. These systems undergo additional testing, such as to demonstrate resistance to hurricane impact, seismic events, forced entry, human impact, active shooters, blast hazards and more.
For coastal areas and regions affected by powerful storms, EFCO, Tubelite and Wausau hurricane impact-resistant systems protect against windborne flying debris and wind-driven rain. These products are engineered and tested to meet the Florida Building Code’s impact and cycling requirements, in accordance with relevant Testing Application Standards (TAS) and ASTM standards.
Florida Product Approval (FPA) and the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) approval demonstrate products perform as required for some of the most demanding environments.
As examples:
- Tubelite ForceFront® Storm (FFS)curtain wall has successfully passed large missile impact testing for wind speeds in excess of 160 mph to meet High Velocity HVHZ Wind Zone 3.
- EFCO 6621/6621G Series impact fixed aluminum-framed windows have a Design Pressure rating up to +120/-140 psf. These products have successfully passed large missile impact and cycling testing to meet High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Wind Zones 3 and 4.
Hardening facilities against man-made emergency events, our blast hazard mitigating systems meet specified testing levels for the VA, Department of Defense (DoD) and General Service Administration (GSA) Interagency Security Committee (ISC) criteria. EFCO, Tubelite and Wausau Window systems have been tested in accordance with ASTM, ISC and UFC 4-1010-0 Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings.
As examples:
- Wausau INvent 4250i-BHM window have been shock tube tested at 10 psi peak, 89 psi-msec impulse, 129-foot standoff distance.
- Tubelite ForceFront Blast (FFB) storefront can withstand UFC-specified blast loads at a 121-foot standoff at charge weight I and at a 50-foot standoff at charge weight II.
Our in-house technical assistance team analyzes each project’s unique factors to ensure compliance.
For main entrances, check-in and waiting rooms, pharmacies, behavioral care spaces and transitional zones, interior framing systems can maintain line of sight with transparent separation and added security for patients, medical teams, staff and visitors.
Check back soon for part four in this blog series on how windows, doors and framing systems support resilient, safe and secure health care facilities.
San Antonio Veterans Administration \\ Photo Credit: Tyler Messer, Bulverde Glass