Storm & Security

14 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / FORECAST 2015 "Well equipped for the future" was a theme ably demonstrated by eight prod- ucts awarded 2015 R+T Innovation Prizes in February in Stuttgart, Germany. Of more than 80 submissions, QMI Security Solutions, Itasca, IL, was presented the Innovation Prize for Roller Shutters for its Qompact rolling shutter system. Since 1991, the R+T Innovation Prize has recognized excellent products and innovations in the roller shutters, doors and gates, and sun protection industry and is offered in nine categories. QMI was the only U.S. company awarded a prize this year, which was presented at the R+T shutter and blind trade show February 24 to 28. Held every three years, R+T Stuttgart has become a significant shutter and blind trade fair attended by tens of thousands of visitors from more than 100 countries. Over the years, its Innovation Prize has become a coveted award for exhibitors. This year marks the ninth time the award has been presented. The Details QMI's Qompact shutter was determined by a 19-member jury to be the most innovative rolling shutter product brought to the global market in the past three years. Its unique, propri- etary design features a special slat design that rolls into a tighter coil, reducing the shutter box size by 40 to 54 percent. The shutter is divided into groups of different sized slats. As the roll gets larger, the slat size is adjusted so that the hinges sit next to each other (adjoining) instead of on top of each other (stacking). The result is referred to as a "nested" design. The Qompact shutter meets Florida Building Code hurricane compliance and is pending Miami-Dade certification. Qompact's FBC allowable maximum widths are up to 19 feet six inches wide and up to 166 inches wide clear span at 100 psf. Qompact has a maximum height of 15 feet in just an eight-inch box hous- ing. Most shutters up to 122 inches tall fit into a six-and-a-half inch box housing. Perforated slats also are available with the Qompact rolling shutter for com- mercial storefront applications, counter shutter applications where both vision and air flow are desired; and can be used residentially where security with vision is desired. Qompact rolling shutters are available in standard, narrow European rails or end-retained rails for use in areas of high winds or for added security. End retention adds a security screw to the end of every slat, which is captured into a channel in the side rails. These captured screws prohibit the shutter from being pushed or pried out of the side rails. During security testing, a five-foot by five-foot Qompact shutter withstood seven kicks, 50 punches, and 80 hits from a 12-pound sledgehammer and still did not allow access. Strong and Sustainable Although Qompact has a single-wall aluminum extruded slat, it has energy saving properties equal to European foam-filled slats with strength far QMI received the R+T Innovation Prize in Stuttgart, Germany, in February. From left are Christoph Meyer, chairman of the jury deciding and awards and president of the engineering firm for building climate control Hausladen + Meyer; Ulrich Kromer von Baerle, CEO, Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH; Mary Kate Miller, QMI; Tom Miller, QMI's Qompact Product Manager; and Georg Nüssgens, president of the Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection Systems. AND THE WINNER IS — QMI brings home an R+T Innovation Prize

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