Zamil Glass Industries has introduced what it says is a revolutionary new installation system that requires all-glass facades to have minimal framing support.

The 5S frameless system is unlike the traditional all-glass facades that require glass panels to be drilled and supported with patch fittings or point fixed spider fittings. The new system encapsulates the glass unit in a simple stainless steel framing cassette that reduces glass-processing requirements and improves site installation times.

All types of glass whether single or double-glazed, and materials such as marble or aluminium cladding, can be incorporated into the glass wall facade, providing a neat, uninterrupted, smooth appearance to the building's exterior.

"The key to this system lies in the development of a special point fixing and bolt fixing clip, which allows the glass panels to be rapidly clipped into place on site, with minimal inconvenience in handling and fewer problems associated with tolerance alignment. The 5S system is extremely versatile and, in addition to glass facades, can also be used for skylights and sloped glazing applications," a company spokesman says. ''Interest in the new system has been high and some consultants said they would use it in future projects.''

The 5S frameless was one of two new products Zamil Glass launched during its millennium seminars held in Riyadh and Jeddah for consultants, architects and others in the construction industry. The seminars covered the concept behind its energy-efficient glass, Heat Mirror, while introducing the new concepts in architectural glass technology.

The second product introduced, Privalite, is a laminated glass product with a liquid crystal interlayer that makes privacy in clear glass a reality.

''Ideal for office, hospital and cash-handling-facility applications, Privalite can also become an entire advertising display-screen medium. When the clear-glass effect is switched to the obscured mode, and by employing back projection, the glass facade turns into an entire viewing screen,'' he says.

He continues: ''Individual companies can display goods during the day in their showroom or office windows, and at night promote the variety and versatility of their company and products, using the viewing screen in their window. Traditionally, widescreen cinema/ television advertising screen mediums have been prohibitively expensive, but Privalite can now turn every window in a commercial building into an advertising hoarding for a fraction of the cost.

"As an attention-grabber to arouse the interest of potentia1 customers, Privalite adds a new dimension to the concept of promotion and advertising in a completely new, unique format. Office/showroom windows can now pay for themselves, drawing attention to the company and achieving promotion and advertising using previously dormant window areas and glazed facades.''

Nassim Abu Yousef, national sales manager, says that Zamil Glass Industries was committed to advancing glass technology.

''The 5S facade concept and Privalite are significant developments in the industry and Zamil Glass Industries is proud to introduce these new concepts to the Saudi Arabian market,'' he says.