Window Fall Prevention and Barriers
Using Altair Louvres to Meet Fall Prevention Through Openable Window Requirements
Restricted Window Openings
Clauses 3.9.2.6 of the Building Code of Australia detail the situations in which openable windows require fall prevention measures and the requirements that windows in these situations must meet.
Breezway has a number of solutions that can be applied to the Altair Louvre to meet these Building Code clauses. Importantly, the Fall Prevention solutions also continue to provide a good level of ventilation so the room remains comfortable and the need for air conditioning is greatly reduced.
The Altair Louvre restricted opening devices and the Stronghold System blade retention are permanent fixtures which cannot be removed, unlocked or overridden without complex tool usage (such as a drill). Products that can be unlocked or overridden with a simple tool or two-handed operation, such as removing a louvre blade with coordinated two-handed operation, will also require additional barriers to 865mm.
If screens will be used to provide protection as per Clauses 3.9.2.6 and D2.24 then the Altair Louvre Windows will not require the Stronghold System and will not require blade openings to be restricted. The window frame and securely fitted screen assembly should be tested to “AS5203:2016 – Protection of Openable Windows/Fall Prevention” to ensure that the assembly will not permit a 125mm sphere to pass through it and resist a horizontal outward force of 250N.
Balustrades
Breezway Altair Louvre products are not a balustrade system. Nor are any other window types. Balustrades are one type of barrier. Altair louvres with the Stronghold System and suitable openings are another. It is always important to ensure that a particular barrier system complies with the relevant Building Codes and associated Standards.
For information on using Breezway Louvres with the Stronghold System to comply with fall prevention or as a window replacement in apartments, please visit the Apartment Window Replacement page.
*CPD Tutorials*
Breezway offers three formal CPD tutorials to Architects & Designers on Fall Prevention, Ventilation and AS2047 and AS1288. These have been accredited by Architectural Information Services (AIS). Book today and collect your CPD points!
Fall Prevention Technical Documents
Manual Stronghold System
| Product Range | Maximum Blade Length | Required Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| 152 Toughened Glass | 1,127mm | 100mm |
| 102 Toughened Glass | 707mm | None |
| 102 Toughened Glass | 750mm | 80mm |
| 152 Aluminium | 900mm | 100mm |
| 102 Aluminium | 750mm | 80mm |
Powerlouvre Stronghold System
| Product Range | Maximum Blade Length | Required Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| 152 Toughened Glass | 900mm | 80mm |
| 152 Toughened Glass with Security D-Bar | 1,127mm | 100mm |
| 102 Toughened Glass | 707mm | None |
| 102 Toughened Glass | 750mm | 80mm |
| 152 Aluminium | 900mm | 80mm |
| 152 Aluminium with Security D-Bar | 900mm | 100mm |
| 102 Aluminium | 650mm | None |
| 102 Aluminium | 750mm | 80mm |
Fixed Stronghold System
| Product Range | Maximum Blade Length | Required Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Toughened Glass & Aluminium | 900mm | Fixed |
Dualair Stronghold System
| Product Range | Maximum Blade Length | Required Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Toughened Glass & Aluminium | 900mm | 100mm1 |
| Toughened Glass & Aluminium | 1,127mm | 80mm1 |
1. Dualair Secondary Glazed System requires both inner and outer glazing layers to be configured for compliance.
IGLU Double Glazed Louvre System
| Product Range | Maximum Blade Length | Required Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| IGLU Manual | 1,127mm | 72mm |
| IGLU Powerlouvre System | 800mm | 72mm |