The Middle East Drymix Mortar Association (MEDMA) has formed a technical workgroup for Facade Insulation Specification for New and Existing Buildings in the GCC Nations in August 2013. The core team, consisting of representatives of MEDMA members and partners BASF, Caparol, Dow, Henkel and Wacker is being headed by Mohammed Sanaobar, Technical Chairman of MEDMA. The Workgroup's intention is to to assist in advancing the specifications for EIF (ETIC) Systems and driving higher  quality standards in the GCC Nations with particular focus on the UAE and Dubai.

First Topic: Fire Safety

As an industry association with vested interest in ETICS/EIFS advancement, the technical workgroup has conducted an analytical read to the specifications described in “UAE Fire, Life and Safety Code of Practice – Annexure A.1.21” issued by Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) and is presenting to you the following suggestions to further advance the specifications.

Kick-Off Meeting with DM and DCD in September

A kick-off meeting was already held in September 2013 with experts from Dubai Municipality (DM) and DCD, where the basic outlines of the necessary changes to existing regulations were discussed. To this meeting, MEDMA invited also several non-members, in order to achieve a common accord and a unanimous voice. The MEDMA Workgroup then drafted an official recommendation, which is being finished and submitted to the authorities within October 2013. The documents clarifies testing requirements (ETAG, EIMA) for EIFS concerning fire hazards and can be obtained (once submitted) by MEDMA members immediately.