FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL TESTED FOR HURRICANE READINESS—

BUILT TO WITHSTAND 150 MPH WINDS

 

NASSAU, BAHAMAS January 21, 2010 —When the new U.S. Departures terminal opens in Spring 2011 at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, the structure will be able to withstand winds of up to 150 mph. Earlier this month, a team from the Nassau Airport Development Company’s LPIA Expansion Project Team travelled to a manufacturing facility in Shenyang, China to observe the manufacturing process and test the durability of the curtain wall (window wall) system for stage one of the development. 

 

In a controlled environment at the Yuanda Aluminum Industry Engineering Company Limited’s testing facilities in China, glass panels for the 247,000 sq. ft. terminal were placed in a mock up chamber for the test series.

 

According to NAD Vice President of Airport Development, Stewart Steeves, the tests included simulated hurricane wind and rain conditions through a series of over 9,000 positive and negative pressure tests, air and water infiltration tests, and simulated hurricane debris impact through a series of small missile (ball bearings) impact tests at 90 mph and large missile (2×4 lumber) impact tests at 35 mph.

 

The panels will be manufactured in Shenyang, China, by Yuanda, one of the largest curtain wall manufacturers in the world. The largest curtain wall panels are 20 ft. high and 8 ft. wide. Delivery and installation on site is expected during the summer 2010.

 

With more than 200 construction workers presently on site, work continues on budget and on schedule for stage one of the $409.5 airport redevelopment project.

 

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