Crawford-Tracey Corp. released the Pro-Tech flood barrier system, which includes the Pro-Tech 7SG FB and Pro-Tech 9SG FB. The product meets the increasing demand for property protection and evolving building code requirements.
Product and testing details
Crawford-Tracey's impact-rated Pro-Tech series is a unitized structurally glazed curtain wall and storefront system that has a water-resistant rating of 100 pounds per square foot and has now been tested and approved by FM Approvals per the ANSI/FM 2510 testing standard as a flood rated passive glazing system for opening barrier applications. The Pro-Tech 7SG FB is a structurally glazed 7-inch profile curtain wall and storefront system, and the Pro-Tech 9SG FB is a similar glazing system with a 9-inch profile to meet taller spans and withstand higher wind and flood loads.
The ANSI/FM 2510 testing standard evaluates the performance of a product in realistic flood and floating debris impact conditions. Under the standard's testing parameters, the Pro-Tech 7SG FB was tested and rated for 4 feet of water and the Pro-Tech 9SG FB was tested and rated for 7 feet of water. The results of these tests revealed that both Pro-Tech flood barrier systems exhibited no water intrusion from the glazing system during a 24-hour period.
What CTC says
"We designed our flood barrier system to meet the increasing demand for flood protection that exceeds the standard requirements for commercial buildings, particularly in areas prone to flooding due to severe weather conditions like tropical storms and hurricanes," says Ray Crawford, president, Crawford-Tracey. "Our two innovative flood barrier glazing products offer an appealing and unobtrusive glass design without having to provide bulky surrounding framework, so they maintain the same elegance as a standard glazing system while providing greater protection."
"Flooding occurs more than ever, not only in coastal hurricane-prone areas but throughout the country. These increasing occurrences are impacting flood zones where development has increased significantly, putting buildings at a greater risk of flooding, especially as climate change increases the potential for extreme weather," adds Crawford. "We are excited to offer these two curtain wall systems to help commercial buildings better withstand flood damage."
