UL, a global safety science company, has announced the expansion of its existing facility in Abu Dhabi and that it will now include a cables fire safety and performance laboratory
The expanded facility, located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), will allow manufacturers, brands and suppliers of electrical and optical cables and busways from throughout the Middle East to access a local laboratory for fire safety.
UL's business head for the middle east region Sameer Abdul Salam said, "The hazards associated with non-compliant cables present significant risks with respect to the nature and scale of a fire event. Our robust fire safety testing of cables, which is available at our new Abu Dhabi laboratory, brings trust and confidence that such safety issues have been assessed in the products manufacturers and companies are bringing to the marketplace. As the global safety science leader, UL looks forward to helping local purchasers, specifiers, installers and inspectors of telecommunication cables achieve increased speed to market and the ability to demonstrate their commitment to fire safety to their customers."
According to UL, the new fire safety laboratory is designed to test electric and optical cables and busways as per various standards for flame retardant and fire resistance properties. Staffed with UL's industry-leading experts, the facility aims to enable faster turnaround times with enhanced regulation enforcement. The local presence in Abu Dhabi with global expertise is aimed at easing the logistical challenges for the customers in Europe and Asia.
Salam also said that in recent years, the Middle East has seen increased regulation around the fire safety of cables used in buildings to meet the civil defence requirements and that in the new Abu Dhabi laboratory, the fire safety experts shall work with customers to help meet these increased demands without sacrificing time or efficiency.
Sajeev Jesudas, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at UL added, "The opening of our new fire safety laboratory comes at an important time as governments and companies continue to invest in local infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and around the Middle East. These new investments mean that there is an increased need for safe cables and busways. With our new fire safety testing capabilities, we are excited that we will be able to help local manufacturers address product risks, safety and performance while helping them have a positive impact throughout the region.”
UL offers its customers advisory and testing services to meet and exceed fire safety requirements. Research testing services for manufacturers can help customers design cables that comply with the necessary fire resistance/fire reactance standards. UL can also produce a type testing report and type-examination certificate based on IEC/EN/BS standards.
