Non-Fragile, ‘Safe’ Rooflights for use in Station Canopies and Rail Depots
Make the most of limited possession times when replacing failed glazing on station canopies by installing quick-to-fit 'safe' Multi-Link-Panels NF (Non Fragile)
Falling through fragile roofs and rooflights has been identified as one of the main causes of death and injury in the construction industry in recent years. The CDM Regulations require designers to ‘eliminate or reduce risk’, and specifying the Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non Fragile) rooflight system will help to solve this particular problem.
In addition, the bespoke Multi-Link-Panels NF are lightweight and glazed with multiwall or solid polycarbonate sheet (16mm multiwall weighs only 2.8 Kg/sq m compared with 6mm glass that weights 15 Kg/sq m.) Even large panels can, therefore, usually be handled easily by two men. Polycarbonate is very tough so panels won't crack or break during installation and use. The aluminium framing won't rust over time and can be powder coated to match any colour scheme. Individual panels are factory manufactured to size for each project and delivered to site on a J-I-T basis, ready for fast installation. Due to their innovative 'fix and link' design they are incredibly quick to install, taking only one-third of the time it takes to fit a traditional split bar glazing system. This is obviously of great importance when working on station canopies as possession times are, necessarily, limited.
Document HSG33 outlines the Health & Safety Executive's recommended testing method for assessing products to be used on a non-fragile roof: ACR[M]001:2000 Test for Fragility of Roofing Assemblies (revised in 2005). The wording of the test indicates that it is to be carried out on complete systems ('roofing assemblies') and not on individual components that might be installed on a roof.
The Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF when glazed with either 16mm or 25mm multiwall polycarbonate passes the drop test with a 'B' classification, as does 6mm glass-like solid polycarbonate. However, 16mm multiwall polycarbonate fitted into a 60mm wide glazing bars fails the ACR[M] test. It is the patented and concealed method of holding the polycarbonate sheet in place within the Multi-Link-Panel NF that enables this system to pass the drop test.
6.4mm laminated glass fails the test; offering no resistance to the standard 45kg impactor dropping onto the test sample from the regulation height of 1.2m. 6.8mm laminated glass also fails the test.
The Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF also passes the more stringent drop test devised by London Underground, Engineering Standard E3404A3. And, as all parts of the Multi-Link-Panel are recyclable at the end of their life span, this is often the product of choice for many station and depot specifiers when they need to refurbish their roof glazing.