Al Futtaim Element achieves IAS accreditation for fire testing exterior wall assemblies
London, UK – October 7, 2020 – Al Futtaim Element, part of the Element Materials Technology Group, has received NFPA 285 accreditation from the International Accreditation Service (IAS) for the fire testing of exterior wall assemblies in Dubai, UAE.
The NFPA 285 standard provides a test method for determining the fire propagation characteristics of exterior wall assemblies and panels used as components of curtain wall assemblies that are constructed using combustible materials, or that incorporate combustible components.
Al Futtaim Element, which has one NFPA 285 test rig accredited by IAS, uses the test method to determine that combustibles, when exposed to fire on the exterior face of the wall, do not spread flame over the surface or through the core of the otherwise non-combustible wall assembly.
In addition to NFPA 285, Al Futtaim Element has one rig for testing to BS 8414 part 1 and two rigs for BS 8414 part 2, which provide a test method for determining the fire performance characteristics of non-loadbearing external cladding systems. The BS 8414 rigs are capable of accommodating cladding systems with larger cavity sizes, allowing customers to test the most onerous conditions of their system, and providing them with a wider range of compliance through certification or assessments.
Rob Veitch, EVP of Fire & Building Products at Element, said: “The team in Dubai worked hard to achieve this accreditation, especially with the challenges related to remote working due to the COVID-19 lockdown. With other IAS accreditations in place, the team had the expertise and structures in place to demonstrate excellence in this field.
“Al Futtaim Element has been supporting the Middle East construction industry for more than 25 years and is one of the biggest façade testing laboratories in the world.”
Al Futtaim Element’s façade testing and advisory services division delivers testing, consultancy and inspection to clients throughout the Middle East. It provides integrated services in design review, failure investigation and third-party QA/QC services, and has been involved in a wide range of prestigious building developments in the Middle East region for many years.
ENDS
About Element
The Element Materials Technology Group is one of the world’s leading global providers of testing, inspection and certification services for a diverse range of materials, products and technologies in advanced industrial supply chains where failure is not an option. Headquartered in London, UK, Element’s team of more than 6,000 expert scientists, engineers and technicians operate from around 200 locations across five continents, delivering an extensive range of solutions to customers in critical industries including aerospace, connected technologies, construction, defense, energy, environmental, life sciences and transportation.
For more information about Element, please visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter and subscribe to our Youtube channel.
Media contacts:
Vikki Taylor, Assistant Marketing Manager
T: +44 (0)1494 569 685
Devan LaBrash, Pagoda Public Relations
T: +44 (0) 131 556 0770