One of the major requirements for many educational establishments, leisure facilities, factories and railway stations, is for rooflights that conforms to the ACR[M]001:2005 - Test for Fragility of Roofing Assemblies, as required in the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) Document HSG33. The Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF modular rooflight system does just that.

The Advisory Committee for Roofwork, led by the Health & Safety Executive, undertook research that led to the development of the above test, which represents a human impact incident on a roof surface.  The whole of an assembly has to be tested, and not just individual components. Twinfix have undertaken the required multiple drop tests onto the Multi-Link-Panel NF, in both 16mm and 25mm thicknesses, where it has achieved a 'B' rating.

'A' is the highest rating and is achieved only if there is no visible or significant damage to the whole assembly after multiple drops.  The Twinfix 'B' classification is based on minimal damage caused by multiple drops.  A 'C' graded pass requires only one drop test with the impactor.

We have also tested 6.4mm laminated glass.  It failed, with the 45kg impactor bag crashing straight through the glazing, leaving a huge hole.  In addition, we also  tested 16mm multiwall polycarbonate fitted into one of our own glazing bar systems.  This too failed the test, with the multiwall simply popping out of the 60mm wide glazing bars.  This demonstrates the wisdom of the HSE requirement to carry out the test on 'assemblies' and not on individual components.

The Multi-Link-Panel NF combines a maintenance-free aluminium frame glazed with virtually unbreakable multiwall polycarbonate.  It can also be fitted with solid or monolithic polycarbonate.  This too achieves a 'B' classification to the HSE test.  The Multi-Link-Panel NF outperforms more traditional glazing systems in terms of cost, performance, long-term appearance and speed of installation.