Fears of reprisals in the wake of Bin Laden’s killing mean that Construction will have to factor in terrorist-proofing on all significant new-build offices from now on. That is according to Alumet.
They have created the ABLE (Avon Beam Lightweight Enhanced) anti-bomb system, for which innovation they won their second Queens Award.
The Ministry of Defence recently subjected Alumet’s bomb-proof lightweight walling system to a huge explosive blast, and found it not only withstood the explosion, but the dummies placed behind the strong façade remained unscathed.
“The blast was enormous – a 220lb bomb exploded from 82 feet away,” said Mr Gary Summers, Managing Director of Alumet, British provider of building facades, which has designed and developed the ABLE system.
The ABLE system is now used to protect MoD installations and other buildings.
“Terrorism is not going to go away. Now, more than ever, it is vital we keep our high security buildings safe,” said Mr Summers, who is Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year 2011.
“We were offered a big contract by the MoD which required that we ensure a high level of security for certain buildings, which also had to blend into the environment,” he said.
It was this that sparked off Alumet’s creative design team, who came up with ABLE – described as a lightweight pre-glazed wall that can be clad in a wide variety of materials – even timber, aluminium, or terracotta – and remain highly bomb-proof. More attractive, the company adds, than ugly, unwieldy re-inforced concrete!
Another feature of the ABLE system is that the façade can be built at Alumet’s head office or one of its other sites across England, and transported to construction sites, for attachment.
“The finished buildings look like any normal commercial units and are aesthetically pleasing, unlike the fortified bunkers we are used to associating with secure facilities,” said Mr Summers.
Alumet, which has a turnover of £28-million and projected turnover of £50 million – is the major employer in the town of Southam.
All the materials used are recyclable and emissions from production are said to be significantly less than those produced from the concrete alternative.
