Shaji Ul Mulk, the chairman of the company that makes Alubond panels, says they do not make non-combustible panels in the UAE because of a lack of local demand. Pawan Singh / The National
Shaji Ul Mulk, the chairman of the company that makes Alubond panels, says they do not make non-combustible panels in the UAE because of a lack of local demand. Pawan Singh / The National

Most fire-resistant panels still being ignored for UAE towers despite spate of blazes



The most fire-retardant wall panels are still not being used on buildings across the country, despite a spate of facade blazes.

Three of the world’s top alu­min­ium composite panel makers have confirmed that demand for their highest-rated panels is almost non-existent across the region.

And an updated building code introduced in Dubai in 2012 aimed at halting the use of flammable aluminium composite panels is still not being fully implemented because of the high cost of some system tests.

One major manufacturer said it has supplied just one project with non-combustible panels in five years.

But that could change if the recent New Year’s Eve fire at The Address Downtown Dubai forces a rethink among regulators. A number of high-rise building fires in the UAE and overseas linked to the use of flammable aluminium composite facade panels has drawn renewed attention from regulators. It is understood that Dubai Civil Defence is also developing a series of new measures to boost fire safety.

Mitsubishi Plastics confirmed it had supplied just one project with non-combustible panels in the UAE since 2010.

Such panels are about 30 per cent more expensive than the flammable alternatives that have a high proportion of plastic, say manufacturers.

“Even after the new fire codes, some panels are still not being checked properly,” said Moritaka Sakurai, a marketing manager in the Middle East liaison office of Mitsubishi Plastics. “Contractors prefer cheap materials.”

The company fears that the recent fires could tarnish the industry, or that they might lead to aluminium composite panels being banned.

Mitsubishi supplies a range of panels with high and low plastic content. It will not sell its lowest grade of panels for use on buildings, said Mr Sakurai.

The makers of Alucobond, part of Germany’s 3A Composites, confirmed there was little regional demand for the highest mineral content panels.

“It is highly unusual, I would agree,” said Tarek Haddad, the chief executive of architecture and display in Asia at 3A Composites.

“There hasn’t been strong demand for non-combustible panels. We have maybe one or two projects from the region each year,” he said.

Mr Haddad said that because facades are often sourced in the late stages of a project when time is short and budgets tend to overrun, costs are often cut.

“In many cases initial specifications get reviewed and lesser-quality choices get made,” he said in an interview in Dubai. “Some material suppliers suggest that one can get the same quality cheaper. But for this product, lower costs involve choosing lower-quality components. Same-but-cheaper doesn’t exist.”

The introduction of new building codes in Dubai in 2012 with more stringent fire safety requirements has improved the quality of composite panels used on building facades. However, suppliers say not all the system tests required have been conducted on some projects.

“The new code is great, but I’m not sure the systems tests have been fully implemented yet,” said Mr Haddad.

Alubond, the world’s largest maker of aluminium composite panels and the company that supplied The Address Downtown Dubai, does not make non-combustible panels in the UAE because of a lack of local demand.

__________

Exclusive Q&A

Shaji Ul Mulk reveals the untold story of The Address Downtown Dubai fire

__________

It does make them in Turkey, where their use on high-rise towers is mandatory. In anticipation of tougher codes, it is planning to make them at its Ajman factory.

“Turkey is a way ahead on regulation. In Turkey, everything has to be 90 per cent and above mineral content – it’s like stone,” said Shaji Ul Mulk, the chairman of the company that makes Alubond panels.

“We’ve been producing A2 panels [with fire-retardant mineral cores] for the last one-and-a-half years in Turkey and now want to bring that here. We have ordered the same plant here anticipating the new code will be more stringent and demand will go up. From what we understand about what is coming, the implementation will be very strict.”

Mr Mulk explained that the lack of demand for such panels reflects the fact that they have not been specified in the past and so manufacturers have no incentive to make them.

“They are not selling because nobody has asked for it,” he said. “The 2012 Civil Defence Code is very good, but it is not really implemented in full – or there is a problem with understanding the code. There are too many choices. When you have six or seven different standards, people will try to find the least possible standard to get the panel passed. The code referring to ASTM E84 [a US flame-spread test] asks for a core burning test, for example. The moment you have the core burning test applied, most likely LDPE [low-density polythene] core will not pass and only a very high mineral content will pass. We know even after the 2012 code this particular core burning test has not been insisted upon.”

__________

Revealed

How The Address Downtown Dubai hotel fire test was 'meaningless'

__________

Dubai Civil Defence is considering the installation of fire breaks of up to 10 metres high on buildings considered to be at risk from facade fires. It was not immediately available for comment.

The breaks would be made of non-combustible panels that would at least limit the potential for fires engulfing an entire elevation – acting like huge alu­minium band-aids around buildings.

On an average 30-storey tower, manufacturers estimate the cost of removing one third of the old panels and replacing them with better ones could cost between US$100 and $120 per square metre – or about $500,000 per building in basic material costs.

Whether such a remedy would be effective in a real fire has not been demonstrated.

Long before the facade fire problem in the region emerged, many industry experts had warned about the threat posed by combustible cladding.

The archives of construction trade journals contain many examples, such as an article from February 2007 in Construction Week quoting Wulf Binder, a sales manager working for the aluminium group Novelis Deutschland.

“A 5,000 square-metre facade clad with composite panels is equivalent to 19,000 litres of fuel,” he said.

He warned, then, that building codes should be reformed.

Speaking from Germany, he said he was sceptical about the effectiveness of partial facade replacement.

He also warned about the real risk of a “domino fire” – where one building on fire ignites another via falling panels already on fire.

He considers this to be a risk where towers are close together. Such a blaze happened in Doha in May 2006, when the Al Nasr Twin Towers caught fire while under construction.

Whether or not partial facade replacement works, he believes that the high-profile nature of The Address fire would mean that further building safety reforms are more likely now.

“Everyone was looking at the fire and nobody at the fireworks. I don’t think that was the plan,” he said.

scronin@thenational.ae

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Overview

What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.

When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.

Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.

Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.

Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Gully Boy

Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi​​​​​​​
Rating: 4/5 stars

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Emiratisation at work

Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago

It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.

Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers

The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension

President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.

During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development

More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics

The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens

UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere

The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID

1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)

4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)

5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)

6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)

7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)

8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)

9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)

10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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HWJN
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Surianah's top five jazz artists

Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.  

Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.

Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.

Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.

Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.

Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.

Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.

Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."

Pakistan Super League

Previous winners

2016 Islamabad United

2017 Peshawar Zalmi

2018 Islamabad United

2019 Quetta Gladiators

 

Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286

Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65

New Zealand squad

Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
MATCH INFO

Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)

Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs


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