Breezway takes compliance with the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards or New Zealand Standards seriously. Our Altair® Louvre Windows are extensively tested through NATA Accredited Facilities and over 90 years of experience manufacturing louvre windows to prove their compliance. This allows our Design Assist Team to offer clear advice based on hundreds of test results.
When it comes to specifying the most suitable Altair Louvre Window for your projects, Breezway provides comprehensive Product Performance Warranties that must be adhered to in order for the product to be deemed fit-for-purpose.
Cyclonic Vs Non Cyclonic Regions
Altair Louvre Windows are designed to meet and exceed the requirements of AS2047-2014 “Windows and External Glazed Doors in Buildings”. However it is important to note that the window design and construction constraints provided by Breezway for projects in either cyclonic or non-cyclonic regions must be followed to ensure compliance with AS2047-2014 .
By adjusting the window height, width, blade type, number of bays and frame type, an architect or designer will typically be able to specify a window to suit their design, even in extreme conditions.
Meeting Energy Criteria
Breezway Altair Louvre Windows provide energy-efficient control of natural light and fresh air in a building. Increasing natural ventilation can improve the health and productivity of building occupants whilst reducing the reliance on air conditioning.
Altair Louvres can comfortably comply with the energy efficiency requirements of Section J and Part 3.12.2 of the National Construction Code in all climate zones, with high window area to floor area ratios possible in most climate zones when appropriate glazing and shading are used.
Various energy efficient glazing options are available to meet local requirements (with U-values as low as 2.4 and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients between 0.1 and 0.72) however external screens can also deliver additional insulating and shading benefits.
Warm Climates
The shading offered by tinted glass blades reduces the amount of hot sunlight entering a building and has a positive impact on the window’s energy rating.
Cold & Mixed Climates
The insulating properties of clear low e glass blades give comparative thermal performance to clear double glazing.
Extreme Climates
Louvre/Fixed combinations are great for achieving good ventilation and very low U-values.
Screens
External metal mesh screens have WERS ratings and deliver additional insulating and shading benefits to Altair Louvre Windows.
Bushfire Zones
Breezway Altair Louvres in the Easyscreen Window System have successfully passed testing in accordance with AS1530.8.1-2007 to BAL-40 conditions with Invisi-Gard Security Screens. This provides a much more convenient and aesthetic alternative to enclosing the window with bushfire shutters.
In addition, all toughened 6mm fixed lites in the Easyscreen Window System can meet deemed-to-satisfy provisions for BAL-40 when using flame retardant glazing wedges supplied by Breezway on all glazed and unglazed fixed lites as standard product.
However we recommend you receive independent advice from an engineer and your local council authority to determine construction level and compliance for your individual circumstance.
Fall Prevention Compliance
Altair Louvre Windows can be customised to meet ‘Fall Prevention Through Openable Window’ requirements of the Building Code of Australia (Clauses 11.3.7, 11.3.8 and D3D29, tested to AS5203:2016) without compromising on ventilation!
Options include:
- The Stronghold System which mechanically retains the blade inside the clip to minimise the risk of it being dislodged, and restricted openings to limit the size of objects able to pass through the open window.
- Alternatively, Altair Louvres can be installed with screening with their openings restricted to prevent clips from impacting screens in some frames.
Note: Altair Louvre Windows are not a balustrade system. Nor are any other window types. Balustrades are one type of barrier. Altair Louvres with the Stronghold System and restricted openings are another. It is important to ensure that a particular barrier system complies with the relevant Building Codes and associated Standards.
Pool Restrictions
When installing Altair Louvre Windows adjacent to swimming pools, Clause 2.6 of AS1926.1-2012 “Swimming pool safety. Part 1: Safety barriers for swimming pools” defines the requirements for windows opening directly into a pool area.
State and local government authorities may choose to impose stricter local requirements. We recommend that you receive independent advice from your local council authority to determine the regulations and ensure you comply with the correct protection measures for your individual circumstance.
Breezway offers the following solutions to meet compliance:
- 152mm Altair Louvre Windows with the Stronghold System and restricted openings to 100mm will comply with AS1926.1-2012 clause 2.6(b).
- 102mm Altair Louvre Windows with the Stronghold System will comply with AS1926.1-2012 clause 2.6(b).
If compliance is required to earlier versions of AS1926 please refer to the Breezway Design Manual for more information.
If budgets are making things difficult, smaller louvre configurations can be considered, or alternative security features can be customised so ventilation and safety are not compromised.
Acoustics
Altair Louvre Windows have been both laboratory and field tested for sound transmission loss. The relatively thick glass and good sealing of the Altair Louvre Window thus provides an effective noise insulation barrier and can achieve up to Rw35 depending on the window configuration.
Supply & Compliance Labelling of Breezway® Altair Louvre Windows
Breezway Altair Louvre Window Systems supplied fully glazed will be labelled as compliant with AS2047-2014 by Breezway Australia.
Breezway Altair Louvre Window Systems supplied unglazed can be labelled as compliant with AS2047-2014 by the Window System Supplier when glazed according to the limitations of the Product Performance Warranty supplied by Breezway.
Window Fabricators installing the Altair Louvre Component System within a window frame of their own will be able to label their window as compliant with AS2047-2014 when:
- The limitations of the Breezway Product Performance Warranty are complied with.
- The complete Altair Louvre Component System is used, complete with Altair Weatherstrips and seals. If the complete Altair Component System is not used, the window fabricator assumes responsibility for the testing and warranting of the performance of the window system.
- The Altair Component System is installed to Breezway procedures.
Contact Us
There’s a Breezway Altair Louvre Window for most applications – no job is too big or too small!
Contact our Design Assist Team via the chat box on our website, phone 07 3847 0500 or email designassist@breezway.com.au and we’ll walk through your window plans and customise our louvres to suit your project so they are fit for purpose.
We can help project manage your job to ensure everything runs smoothly so you meet WERS ratings, budget, lead times and most of all ensure it is the best experience for you, your energy assessor, builder, electrician, fabricator and of course, your client.
