Knight Wall Systems Rain Screens Pass Shock Tube Blast Test
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Knight Wall Systems tested it CI-System (shown from behind) with three core cladding products – terra cotta, metal and brick panels.
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Deer Park, WA – Knight Wall Systems announced that its Dow®-Knight CI-System rain screen system has passed shock-tube blast testing—also referred to as over-pressure testing— a crucial government-mandated criteria for building envelope products specified for military facilities, hospitals and other federal buildings.
Knight tested its CI-System with three core cladding products – terra cotta, metal and brick panels. All three passed, meeting the most stringent criteria for blast testing using a shock tube.
“Shock-tube blast testing is mandated for government buildings and hospitals as an anti-terrorist measure,” Knight Wall Systems president Doug Knight said. “It’s not common for a rain screen system to be tested, but it’s really one of the most important parts of the building envelope, especially in relation to occupant safety and flying debris. We felt that meeting this criteria was essential.”
Shock-tube testing involves 1.5 lbs of C-4 explosive set off in a tube 60 feet away from the outside of a wall. It tests to see if any parts of the cladding or debris are blown through the wall, compromising occupant safety.
About Knight Wall Systems Inc.
Knight Wall Systems Inc. is a subsidiary of Knight Construction and Supply Inc., in business since 1968, serving commercial, industrial and institutional customers throughout the Pacific Northwest. The firm has more than 100 employees at its eastern Washington headquarters and manufacturing facility. For more information, visit www.knightwallsystems.com.