Gulf Construction Online - Installux systems for Burj residences

Glass & Aluminium

A total of seven tests were conducted on a mock-up erected on the test site.

Installux systems for Burj residences

01 October 2004

Installux systems have found pride of place at the one of the most prestigious residential addresses in Dubai – the Residences at Burj Dubai.

The project comprises six exclusive towers – ranging from 24 to 41 storeys high – set within 20 acres of land on the shores of a spectacular man-made lake. The towers offer one-, two- and three-bedroomed luxury apartments, with breathtaking views of the Burj Dubai Tower.
For the landmark project, Installux has supplied 45,000 sq m of conventional curtain walls with concealed openable panels; sliding doors; and casement windows with special hardware for the locks and handles.
One of the prime requirements of the curtain-walling contract was to have the panels tested to ASTM standards, according to Basim Al Saie, general manager of Installux Gulf, the regional office of the French aluminium systems manufacturer.
“A total of seven tests were conducted on a mock-up erected on the test site including air and, water filtration under positive and negative pressure, wind-loading resistance under positive and negative pressure, and the most critical of all was the dynamic wind-testing,” says Al Saie.
The Australian multi-disciplinary consultancy firm GHD conducted the tests at the end of August.
Elaborating on the tests, he says: “During one of the tests, the unit was subject to wind forces of 2.3 kPa, where a hurricane force wind (equivalent to 225 km/hr) generated by an aircraft engine was directed on the sample to simulate a downpour accompanied by gale force wind. Our product came out with flying colours.
“This was a major achievement for Installux Gulf and our partners in Dubai Alumco as it was the first such test conducted on Installux systems within the GCC.”
Enthused by the results of the tests, Installux Gulf decided to go a step further and requested that the mock-up be subjected to a destructive test – to gauge the limits of the panels.
“We reached an astounding 5.6 kPa (which is equivalent to wind speeds of 450 km/hr) – further proof of the importance of having a good product and ensuring its sound fabrication and installation, as well as of paying attention to detail.”
The curtain walling is currently being installed on the project, which is due for completion in June next year. The project is one of the largest that Installux has carried out in Dubai.
Meanwhile, work is in the final stages of completion at the Al Murooj complex as Installux continues to pursue other projects in the pipeline.
The Al Murooj complex on Sheikh Zayed Road comprises a 14-storey hotel tower and eight distinctively-shaped 12-storey residential towers connected by seven-storey buildings. It is due for completion by the end of this year.
The development called the supply for around 25,000 sq m of conventional curtain wall, domed and hexagonal skylights, casement and sliding doors, and windows.
Al Saie continues: “Installux Aluminium has now become a well-known name in the aluminium systems field and users in markets such as Dubai and Qatar are very appreciative of the product, given the many impressive references that are now there for everyone to see.”
In Qatar, Installux is currently involved in the 22-storey Doha Tower project, which entails 5,600 sq m of four-sided and conventional curtain-walling.
The project is due for completion in December.
As for new developments within the company, Installux Gulf is now investing heavily in its IT infrastructure and will be looking at recruiting staff to further strengthen its team by mid-2005.
“We hope to have one of the most sophisticated IT solutions in place to facilitate clients with their orders,” Al Saie concludes.