Category Archive: Uncategorized
As Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become embraced by an increasing number of building designers and construction professionals, providing accurate and complete models of engineered and specified products is critical to remaining current in the industry.
A recent report by McGraw-Hill Construction showed that 74 percent of contractors are now utilizing BIM technology, and that BIM usage among owners, architects, contractors and engineers is higher than 70 percent.
Through a cooperative program with ARCAT (www.arcat.com), Waco Composites has continued to be an innovator in bullet resistant material, with BIM models of ballistic resistant fiberglass panels achieving all eight levels of UL 752 standards.
The needs of architects and engineers have evolved, requiring new methods of product information which can help save time and expand the way construction and building operational information is presented and delivered. We remain committed to ensuring that ArmorCore® bullet resistant panels are not only the most reliable and efficient solution available, but are also presented with complete and accurate information that meets the needs of designers of risk-based security construction projects.
These are exciting times in the development of construction design, as powerful new tools and methods are making design-build projects more attractive and affordable, and the team at Waco Composites is determined to set the standard within the bullet resistance industry.
Waco Composites Certified As ISO 9001:2008 Compliant
Waco Composites was again found to be compliant with high quality management standards following the company’s full ISO 9001:2008 certification audit this year.
Waco Composites, manufacturer of ArmorCore® fiberglass ballistic resistant materials, first became certified through the International Organization for Standardization in 2009 after a comprehensive registration and audit process. This most recent certification confirms the company has maintained its process for quality manufacturing.
“ISO was a real opportunity for us to set goals for quality management and achieve recognition for reaching those goals,” said Wayne Hampton, President of Waco Composites
“Each of our employees is responsible for knowing and adhering to our company policy statement and our company objectives.”
ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
“At Waco Composites, our faithfulness to standards of quality were formalized in our Quality Commitment, ‘Every ArmorCore® panel is made with our deliberate understanding that a life will depend upon the integrity of our product. High quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, and the best manufacturing processes will be utilized in the fabrication of every panel. Continual improvement and validation through product testing will ensure that our panels have the ballistic resistive integrity that we say they have,’” said Waco Composites Quality Assurance Manager Nina Whitworth.
Manufacturing ArmorCore® fiberglass panels that consistently meet or exceed the bullet resistive properties of the UL 752 Standard and achieving 100% on-time shipping are among Waco Composites’ company objectives, according to Hampton.
“Participation in the ISO program has made us a better and more efficient company,” Hampton said. “But it is also just as important as a benchmark that assures our customers that they are receiving the best bullet resistant building material available.”
ArmorCore® bullet resistance fiberglass, manufactured by Waco Composites, was among the products and services on display June 23 at the RAM Home Safety Prep Show in New Orleans.
The exhibition, sponsored by “Popular Mechanics,” featured local first responders, Popular Mechanics editors, weather professionals and survival experts offering families information on how to survive any disaster and thrive in the aftermath.
“Having a protected room for you and your family to go to is an important component of preparedness when a storm – figuratively and literally – approaches,” said Justin Clark, Waco Composites market development specialist. “ArmorCore® panels are an ideal solution for residential safe rooms, providing protection from flying debris in a storm in addition to the reliable ballistic protection and resistance against a wide range of assault tools that could be used in a home attack.”
“For many people, the addition of a safe room constructed with ArmorCore® panels adds the peace-of-mind that in the event of an intrusion or natural threat, they have a solid plan for their own security.”
The ArmorCore® ballistic resistant panels demonstrated at the New Orleans exhibition have been installed in a wide range of security-risk locations, including money rooms, courtrooms, cashier areas, and military personnel carriers.
ArmorCore® Level 3 panels carry a Class IV “Forced Entry Protection” rating per ASTM standard F1233-98, which means they have been tested against an assortment of attack tools, such as sledge hammer, chisel and cutting torch. The U.L. Level 3 designation indicates that the panel was shown to provide ballistic resistance against a .44 magnum handgun. The company offers panels in all eight of the U.L. ballistic-resistant levels.
“As rising numbers of people increase their awareness about personal protection, we are pleased that ArmorCore® panels are becoming recognized as a cost-effective solution for safe rooms in their homes and businesses,” Clark said.
Waco Composites, manufacturer of fiberglass ballistic resistant materials, was recently recognized for the company’s safety program by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
With recognition through OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), Waco Composites remains one of only two companies in Waco with this designation.
SHARP is an on-site consultation program recognizing small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. Acceptance of a worksite into SHARP from OSHA is an achievement of status that recognizes a business as a model for worksite safety and health.
Upon receiving SHARP recognition, OSHA exempts worksites from OSHA programmed inspections during the period that the SHARP certification is valid.
“As manufacturers of ArmorCore®, a bullet-resistant panel, we are aware of the need for workplace safety and protection,” said Wayne Hampton, President of Waco Composites
”It’s at the heart of who we are.”
“We have been working with OSHCON, a consultative service through the State of Texas since 2004, and of the 58 different criteria that OSHCON considers, our company has consistently achieved high scores in all areas.”
The company is continually striving for improvement in safety and health programs, according to Hampton. “Kaizen,” the concept of continuous improvement, has been a major focus for Waco Composites since the company obtained ISO 9001-2008 certification three years ago.
“We invite our insurance underwriters, the fire marshal, outside vendors and other organizations in to look at our operation and provide suggestions for improvement, look for hazards, and perform testing for dust, noise and vapor hazards,” Hampton said. “We have been continually praised for the cleanliness of our operation.”
“The SHARP recognition validates our dedication to providing a safe and healthful workplace for our employees, and represents a great deal of hard work on the part of our management and staff to make safety within our facility a priority in all we do.”
