News

ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATION SUCCESSFULLY RENEWED

We, are proud to announce that FDS, the accredited operators of UFDS, have successfully completed the annually renewal assessments under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 conducted by Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC). The updated certificate is officially present on the Emirates International Accreditation Centre web site.

We, are also proud to announce that FDS, the accredited operators of UFDS, have successfully completed the assessment conducted by Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) and are now fully accredited to undertake BS EN 14019 Curtain Walling Impact resistance Performance requirements.

THE MINISTRY OF WORKS LIST OF APPROVED INDEPENDENT MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES SUCCESSFULLY RENEWED

We, are proud to announce that FDS, the accredited operators of UFDS, have successfully completed a round of renewal assessments conducted by the Bahrain Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. The updated certificate is officially present on the Ministry of Works List of Approved Independent Materials Testing Laboratories.

FDS IS NOW ON THE MINISTRY OF WORKS LIST OF APPROVED INDEPENDENT MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORIES

We, are proud to announce that FDS, the accredited operators of UFDS, have successfully completed a round of assessments conducted by the Bahrain Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. We are now officially present on the Ministry of Works List of Approved Independent Materials Testing Laboratories.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

To ensure that accurate, updated and reliable testing services are provided to our clients, Façade Design & Services are proud members of FGIA (Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance), CWCT (Centre for Window and Cladding Technology) and ASTM International. Our technical team are also members of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and Society of Façade Engineering (SFE).

ON-SITE WATER TESTING OF STANDING SEAM ROOF SYSTEM

UFDS has carried out the water testing of a standing seam roof system for Havelock One Interiors. The sample was tested as per CWCT Section 10.

NEW EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER, BAHRAIN

Air/water infiltration and structural tests have been carried out on a frameless tension-wire system. These tests were carried out for KAR Facade, and were in accordance to ASTM E283, ASTM E330/E330M, ASTM E331 and AAMA 501.1.

NEW EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER, BAHRAIN

UFDS has carried out the weather and structural testing of a curtain wall sample for Kar Façade. The sample was tested within our test chamber at the UFDS testing facility and was carried out as per ASTM E283, E331, E330/E330M and AAMA 501.1.

NEW EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER, BAHRAIN

A series of on-site water tests were carried out on metal sandwich panels as per AAMA 501.2 under the request of Kar Façade.

HILTON GARDEN INN, BAHRAIN

A series of on-site water tests as per AAMA 501.2 were carried out on the building envelope of the Hilton Garden Inn for Aluminium Services.

HILTON GARDEN INN, BAHRAIN

The acoustic performance of the selected partition walls were tested for Nass Contracting. Sound transmission class, sound absorption levels and sound reverberation times were determined as per ASTM E336, E2235 and E413 testing standards.

FEB TOWER, BAHRAIN

Air/water infiltration and structural tests have been carried out on a 10m high curtain wall sample. These tests were carried out for Ashbee Metal Cladding W.L.L, and were in accordance to CWCT Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 11, Part 12.

AJDAN RISE, SAUDI ARABIA

UFDS has carried out the weather and structural testing of a sliding door curtain wall sample for Rataal Aluminium & Steel Company. The sample was tested within our test chamber at the UFDS testing facility and was carried out as per ASTM E283, E331, E330/E330M, AAMA 501.1 and ISO 9869-1.

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING OF TEST SEQUENCE

UFDS has established video streaming channels to help clients view the testing of their sample from the comfort of their office space, without the need of travelling to the test lab. A secure link will be provided to the client which can be used to view a live video feed of the test sample installation and/or the test sequence itself.

SPORTS CITY, BAHRAIN

To carry out the weather and structural tests on skylight samples, UFDS designed and constructed a unique skylight test chamber within its test center. A series of tests were carried out for KAR Façade in accordance to CWCT Parts 5, 6, 11 and 12.

FDS TRANSITIONS TO ISO/IEC 17025:2017; SCOPE OF WORKS INCREASED

FDS (operators for UFDS) has successfully updated its quality management system to comply with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. FDS has also introduced ASTM E336 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings and ISO 9869-1 In-situ measurement of thermal resistance and thermal transmittance, to its accredited scope of works.

NEW BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

UFDS has conducted on-site water tests at the New Bahrain International Airport for Al Abbar Aluminum. The spray hose test was carried out as per AAMA 501.2.

SPORTS CITY, BAHRAIN

UFDS has carried out the weather and structural testing of a curtain wall sample for KAR Façade. The sample was tested within our test chamber at the UFDS testing facility and was carried out as per CWCT Parts 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12.

MALL OF DILMUNIA, BAHRAIN

UFDS modified its in-house test chamber to accommodate a 12m high curtain wall sample from the Mall of Dilmunia, Bahrain. Air/water infiltration and structural tests in accordance to ASTM E283, E330/E330M, E331, AAMA 501.1 were carried out for Alusteel Gulf.

TOYOTA CENTRAL PARTS DEPARTMENT, BAHRAIN

A series of on-site water tests as per AAMA 501.2 were carried out on the building envelope of the Toyota CPD for Al Khulood Aluminium Factory and Olympic Contracting.

TOYOTA CENTRAL PARTS DEPARTMENT, BAHRAIN

UFDS has carried out the weather and structural testing of a frameless curtain wall sample for Al Khulood Aluminium Factory and Olympic Contracting at the UFDS testing facility in Sitra. The testing procedure was carried out as per CWCT Parts 5, 6, 11 and 12.

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - AIRPORT MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Arabtec Construction has audited UFDS company policies and procedures, and has cleared the testing laboratory to carry out field or laboratory testing for the airport modernization project.

SAUDI FOOD AND DRUG ASSOCIATION

UFDS has tested the thermal transmittance (U-value) of a double glazed unit within our testing lab at Riffa for Saudi BIGA. Both summer and winter U-values were determined using our bespoke hot box, with strict accordance to ASTM C1363 and client requirements.

SANABEL ALUMINIUM, SAUDI ARABIA

The optical and thermal performance of a double glazed unit was checked by UFDS, for Sanabel Aluminium using handheld testing equipment. This test procedure was developed in-house and its accuracy was verified before testing.

WORLD TRADE CENTRE, BAHRAIN

UFDS has conducted on-site water testing at the Bahrain World Trade Centre, upon the request of Cushman and Wakefield. The spray hose test was carried out as per AAMA 501.2.

TA’AZEEZ TOWER, DAMAM, SAUDI ARABIA

UFDS has carried out the weather and structural testing of a unitized curtain wall sample for Aluminium Manufacturing Company (ALUMACO). The sample was tested within our 10m high, calibrated test chamber at the UFDS testing facility located in Sitra. The testing procedure was compiled with strict accordance to ASTM E283, E330/E330M and E331.

KING FAISAL SPECIALIST HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE, RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

On-site water penetration tests were conducted on the curtain wall system of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Saudi Arabia, for Zamil Architectural Industries. These tests were carried out in accordance to AAMA 501.2 and ASTM E1105.

IKEA, BAHRAIN

A six month long comprehensive series of water penetration tests were carried out by UFDS on the steel roof, window units and iconic signage of IKEA, Bahrain, for Kooheji Contractors. These tests are carried out in accordance to Section 10 of the CWCT and the BS EN 13051.

ACOUSTIC TESTING AT MARASSI AL BAHRAIN

The acoustic performance of the selected partition walls of the Marassi Al Bahrain, were tested for Nass Contracting. Sound transmission class, sound absorption levels and sound reverberation times were determined as per ASTM E336, E2235 and E413 testing standards.

Al KHORAYEF CENTRE, SAUDI ARABIA

UFDS has carried out the weather and structural testing of a unique envelope section comprising of curtain wall, tiled block work, steel walkway and lamella panels for Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast. The tests were carried out at our Sitra testing facility and the testing procedures were in accordance to ASTM E283, E330/E330M, E331 and AAMA 501.1

MARASSI AL BAHRAIN

Air/water infiltration and structural tests have been carried out on a 6m high curtain wall sample from the Marassi Al Bahrain. These tests were carried out for Aluminium Services, and were in accordance to ASTM E283, E330/E330M, E331 and AAMA 501.1.

BANK ABC, BAHRAIN

UFDS conducted laboratory weather and structural tests on a curtain wall sample from Bank ABC for Mannai Aluminium and Glass, at the Sitra Testing Facility. The tests were in accordance to ASTM E283, E330, E331 and AAMA 501.1.

KAZEROONI HEIGHTS, BAHRAIN

UFDS conducted a series of on-site paint depth checks on installed curtain wall, window and sliding door framing members; for Ashbee Metal Cladding. This test adhered to the procedures listed out in ASTM B244.

NEW ONCOLOGY CENTRE AT KING HAMAD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, BAHRAIN

Weather and structural performance of a curtain wall sample from the King Hamad University Hospital, were tested by UFDS at the Sitra Testing Facility. The tests were carried out for G.P. Zachariades(GPZ) Engineering and Construction and the testing procedures were in compliance to sections 4,5,7,8 and 9 of the CWCT testing standard.

OBSERVATION TOWER, SAUDI-BAHRAIN CAUSEWAY

UFDS has conducted laboratory impact testing on a laminated glass panel for G.P Zachariades Overseas, as per CWCT technical note 66 and 67. The sample was tested against soft and hard body impact, as well as retention of static load.

WINDOW TESTING FOR SYSTEM SUPPLIER

Weather and structural performance of a window unit were tested as per the requirements of Technal Middle East. The tests were carried out with accordance to ASTM E283, E331 and E330.

‘The Avenues’ in Bahrain Bay

UFDS have undertaken and completed 2 large test areas at ‘The Avenues’ in Bahrain Bay for Aluminium Services. It is the first time a test of this size (12m high and 7m wide) has been performed on-site in the Middle East. We also had a first in the Middle East by performing the 2nd test area with 2 chambers (one on top of the other) separately sealed in one test sequence. The tests were carried out in accordance with the AAMA Standards.

Mannai Aluminium & Glass

Mannai Aluminium & Glass have successfully completed a sequence of testing. UFDS were commissioned to test a section of glazed curtain wall for Bahrain Commercial Facilities Company Headquarters in Isa Town. Tests included were Air permeability, structural deflection, static water and dynamic following CWCT procedures.

AAMA Membership for Façade Design and Services

• 15 July 2016

Façade Design and Services is now a member of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA)