MAKING
THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE
Romag recently won a contract in Nagoya, Japan to supply laminated glass
panels on one of the most unusual projects that the company has ever been
involved with.
The
structure is the central feature to a new leisure and retail complex in
central Nagoya, which is situated approximately 250 miles south of Tokyo.
The laminated glass panels make up a roof covering the central area within
the complex, once complete the glass will be flooded with water to a depth
of approximately 100mm forming an elevated glass lake. Surrounding the
water zone will be a glass walkway, access to which is gained via a staircase,
also constructed of glass treads. The whole structure which measures approximately
100m x 35m, will be supported on four large columns with lattice steel
work supporting a perimeter beam, and at night specialist lighting and
lasers will be used to create spectacular refracted light patterns through
the water.
There
are a total of 1089 toughened and laminated glass floor panels, of which
586 have a special slip resistant frit applied to the upper surface for
the perimeter walk way. A third of the panels are specially shaped to
conform with the elongated oval shape of the structure, in addition each
panel has four special inserts laminated into the lower leaf of glass
to ease their installation on site and provide a secret fix system.
The order was placed with Romag by YKK Architectural Products of Tokyo,
a major blue chip Japanese corporation, the whole enterprise is expected
to be completed by early 2002. This project once again demonstrates Romags
ability to produce bespoke specialist glass laminates to a very high and
unusual specification and enhances their strategic position in South East
Asia. It is worth bearing in mind that the Japanese require a very high
standard of quality and technical detail, which brought them half way
round the world to buy from Romag.
Left: Detail of the Nagoya Roof
Right: Signing the Nagoya Contract in Japan
FOCUS
ON AIRPORT SECURITY
The use of glass in airport buildings is becoming increasingly popular.
It is used extensively for external facades and overhead glazing application
where glass looks attractive and is in keeping with modern architectural
trends, by allowing natural daylight to dominate the interior of airport
terminals and public spaces. In the same vein it is used for internal
partitions and floors to allow 'borrowed' light to pass from one area
to the next.
It is often a misconception however, that the clear benefits of glass
can lead to reduced safety and security and increased heat gain through
the glass.
The fact is that modern glass processing techniques enables a wider selection
of glass combinations and coatings than ever before, which collectively
enhance security and control solar gain without any significant reduction
in visible daylight transmission.
Glass specialists ROMAG are based at Durham in the UK and specialize in
processing glass to the highest levels of safety, security, structural
strength and solar control. By combining combinations of toughened, heat
strengthened and laminated glass, all of which are produced at their modern
glass processing plant, with modern polymer technology enables their glass
to provide benefits, which include:
Bomb blast resistance
Maximum daylight transmission
Bullet resistance
Minimum direct solar transmission
Intruder resistance
Public safety
Sound attenuation
Thermal insulation
It is possible to combine all (and more) of these benefits from a single
glass specification made by ROMAG.
Their expertise, which spans over 30 years, is evident in the toughened,
heat soak tested and laminated glass installed at Bristol Airport by Design
Rationale of Hertfordshire. The project involved some 1000 sq. metres
of glass to bomb blast specification, used for internal glazing and balustrades.
ROMAG
GET TOUGH
Romag has opened a new art toughening plant at its County Durham based
head quarters. Lyn Miles, Romag's managing director says: 'We are setting
new standards in glass processing by providing what we believe to be the
UK's premier specialist glass processing facility'. Romag is a specialist
glass laminator and glass-polycarbonate composite manufacturer serving
architectural, specialist transportation and security sectors. Expanding
into the toughened glass market is a natural progression for Romag as
it not only enhances its product range, but also increases the competitiveness
of some of its existing products such as toughened laminated glass and
double-glazed units. But in addition Romag is looking forward to closing
the loop in its portfolio, by supplying competitively priced, high quality
toughened glass for a variety of products ranging from double glazed units
to balustrade panels, and markets ranging from shopfitting to the rail
industry. As Lyn Miles explains: 'Our facilities are all encompassing.
We can cut complex shapes, provide high quality edge finishes including
polishing, and our screen printing facility and heat soak testing ability
enables us to provide a complete, comprehensive service to all our existing
and new customers'.
Using the most up to date technology means that Romag will be able to
process the new generation of soft coated glasses which means that their
products will easily meet or be better than the new insulation requirements
laid down in part L of the building regulations. In addition it will enhance
their range of solar control products.
Romag's toughened glass is complimentary to their existing range of products,
which of course remain on the market and include curved and flat laminates,
bullet resistant glass, security glass, glass-polycarbonate composites
and slip resistant glass floor panels to name but a few.
PANE
WITH NO GAIN
Romag's California Series glass has the ability to act as a barrier to
solar gain. With the trend in modern architecture for still larger expanses
of glass used in both roofing and curtain walling, the heat build up due
to solar gain is becoming a major problem, although in moderation it is
of benefit. By encapsulating a heat rejecting film between two layers
of polyvinyl/butyral ( PVB ) within the lamination process, Romag's California
Series glass provides high performance solar control, which is practical
to install, whereas other soft-coated products of similar performance
are easily damaged and therefore can only be used in double glazed units.
Alternatively retrofit surface applied solar control films can degrade
over a period of time due to U.V. light and the elements.
Romag California Series glass has more than 70% visible light transmission
with less than 40% total solar transmission, the primary source of heat
build up. The film is applied during the lamination process, providing
greater protection, and is an integral part of the glass rather than an
add on. This system can be used in either double or single glazed units,
and in both formats can be put through a bending process to suit any particular
project or location. More than 1000 units of the new glass have already
been successfully installed by English Architectural Glazing at The Royal
Opera House Covent Garden, and more recently have been selected for the
new Sun Micro Systems development. For further information on the new
California Series system and other specialist glass lamination and bending
services available from Romag, a new and informative technical file for
the architectural and glass markets has been published. For further details
please contact Keith Morrison at Romag.
A
GUARDED APPROACH
Romag has developed a new and safer glass panel for use in vision guards
for lathes and machine tools. After extensive research it has been found
that polycarbonate panels degrade rapidly and in as little as just two
years may not be safe if impacted. This is due to coolants attacking the
polycarbonate and reducing its impact resistance. The new system by Romag
combines the impact resistance of
polycarbonate sheet fully laminated between two sheets of glass, encapsulating
the polycarbonate and protecting it from contaminates that may cause it
to degrade. Romag have developed their product with full consideration
to the recently issued H.S.E recommendation included in their information
document entitled ìCNC turning machines - Controlling risks from
ejected partsî as well as liaison with the M.T.T.A.
A
FORCE TO RECKON WITH
Over the last few years Romag has worked in close conjunction with some
of the countryís leading police forces regarding both anti-bandit
and bullet resistant glass. They also supply indirectly through a number
of armored vehicle manufacturers, where their attention to detail and
quality has earned Romag a reputation second to none.
The companyís flexible approach to meeting customer requirements
has helped to forge a close relationship with a number of forces ensuring
exacting products, and bespoke solutions. Key products in the range include
the supply of anti-bandit glass for patrol vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta
and increasingly the Ford Focus, as well as bullet resistant glass for
the fast response vehicles in particular the Volvo S80 and the Volvo 850.
Although a sad indictment of society today, the protection offered allows
Police Officers to carry out their duty in relative safety.