Archives for April 2015

The GGF will be supporting BM TRADA’s programme that will highlight the benefits of effective passive fire protection through a range of interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and free seminars at this year’s show including regular tours of its 80m² Passive Fire Protection Demonstration Zone the centrepiece of which will be, a full-size corridor and suspended ceiling simulation.  The exhibits will demonstrate the best practice specification and installation of passive fire protection measures including fire doors and glazing and fire stopping products. The tour will then take visitors to full size display models of a charred fire door, a glazing system and a fire stopping configuration to clearly demonstrate how passive fire protection measures work to prevent the spread of fire.

At the show, the GGF will be promoting Fire-resistant glazed systems and how they form an essential built-in element in all types of buildings, particularly because of the unique properties of fire-resistant glass in combining transparency with robust resilience against fire. 

Giles Willson, GGF Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Technical Affairs commented, “We are delighted to support BM TRADA’s activities at FIREX with our technical support, literature and of course promotion to architects, specifiers and building facilities managers. It is very positive that the importance of fire resistant glazing will be highlighted at this high profile exhibition.”  

As well as the tour, visitors will also be able to watch a series of short time-lapse films of a fire resistance test on a pair of doors and a glazing system, which will clearly demonstrate the importance of correct specification and installation. In addition, there will be fire door maintenance survey demonstrations, a live 30 minute fire test and a seminar on the important role of third party certification for fire door manufacture, installation and maintenance, as well as the installation of fire stopping elements.

Visitors to the Passive Fire Protection Demonstration Zone on stand number C165, will be able to discuss the GGF Fire Resistant Glazing Group’s (FRGG) activities to share its expert knowledge with the broadest possible audience in the sector by providing information including the Federation’s “Six Point Code of Core Governing Principles for fire resistant glass and glazing” as an essential quick reference for anyone responsible for fire safety in buildings.

Throughout the show, a representative from the GGF will be on hand to discuss the progress of the ongoing GGF Fire Safety Campaign to Government, which emphasises the vital importance of why fire resistant glazing should be installed in all public buildings.

All visitors to the BM TRADA stand will be offered FREE copies (normal retail value £200) of the GGF’s unrivalled specialist publications; “A Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems” and “The GGF Standard for: The Specification and Installation of Fire-Resistant Barriers containing Glass for Resistance against the passage of Fire and Products of Combustion.”

In addition, the GGF will be highlighting its unique Fire Resistant Glazing Training courses for installers UK-wide as well as its constant work as the leading trade body representing fire resistant glazing companies, to communicate with the wider fire safety sector through bespoke presentations, meetings, providing technical information and consultancy.   

Graham Edwards, BM TRADA Head of Group Marketing commented, “We are delighted the GGF is supporting our programme at FIREX. Both organisations have a lot to offer on fire safety and our planned activities should appeal to a wide audience from a variety of professions in both the private and public sector. It promises to be a very busy show and with the GGF on board we intend to achieve our shared broad objective, to provide invaluable guidance and advice for anyone responsible for fire protection measures.”     

More information on FIREX International can be found here and you can register to attend here.

For more information on the GGF Fire Resistant Glazing Group please visit  

James Lee, Head of GGF Group Marketing and Communications commented, “It was a worthwhile exhibition and one we hope to continue partnership with in 2016. On behalf of the GGF, I’d like to thank our Members who supported our presence at the show by exhibiting, visiting and presenting at the GGF workshops.”

Steve Rice, GGF Director of Glazing added, “It was a fantastic show. The GGF’s stand looked great and it not only raised the Federation’s profile but really highlighted the GGF’s specialist groups and companies who operate in this industry sector.”

At the exhibition, the GGF delivered two strong presentations in as part of the “Advanced Technology Stage” theatre. The programme was aimed at end users, decision makers, purchasers, influencers and specifiers.

Ian Penfold, Chairman, GGF Window Film Group started the ball rolling on the first day of the show with a presentation on “How window film can enhance protection against terrorist attack”. In his presentation, Ian demonstrated with the use of video and slides, the value of retrofitting window film to enhance glazing security with focus on solutions to make glazing in existing buildings attack resistant and the dynamics that make enhancing glazing essential.

Ian commented, “It’s vitally important for the GGF as the industry authority, to be at the forefront of all sectors of the industry. Exhibiting at these niche fairs, not only helps the GGF and Members impart extensive technical information but it also raises the profile of the GGF and its Members to the wider audience of architects, specifiers, building and facilities managers. This year, once again proved to be a good show.”  

On Day 2 of the exhibition, Richard Kells, Chairman, GGF Special Application Glass Group presented, “Technological advancements that make glass and glazing more resistant to terrorist attack” covering how glass has been developed to resist; attacks from ballistics, explosives and manual attack as well as how EMI/RFI (Electro-magnetic or Radio Frequency Interference) shielding is now being produced in glass to prevent terrorist attack on electronic communications.

Richard commented, “It was a great event and I was delighted to be asked to present on the subject of security glazing and the technological innovations that have raised the standards considerably over the last few years. The audience who attended the presentations and those who visited the GGF stand had some diverse and interesting enquiries and I hope they found our information and presentations useful for their counter terror solutions.”

James Lee summarised, “This was the fourth consecutive year that the GGF has exhibited at Counter Terror Expo and each year it just seems to get bigger and better. Though next year will be an extremely busy events schedule for the GGF, we have already pencilled Counter Terror Expo 2016 in the calendar.”