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.

NOTE: 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.
Altair Louvres can be used to meet Fall Prevention through Openable Window Requirements.

The following Altair Louvre Window configurations have passed testing to the Australian Window Association’s industry code of practice “ICP.005 – Protection of Openable Window Testing Specification”:

  • A 152mm Altair Louvre Window with the Stronghold System, toughened glass or aluminium blades a maximum of 900mm long and all blade openings restricted to 100mm will comply with Clauses 3.9.2.6 and D2.24.
  • A 102mm Altair Louvre Window with the Stronghold System, toughened glass blades a maximum of 750mm long and all blade openings restricted to 80mm will comply with Clauses 3.9.2.6 and D2.24.
  • A 102mm Altair Louvre Window with the Stronghold System, toughened glass blades a maximum of 707mm long will comply with Clauses 3.9.2.6 and D2.24.

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 the Australian Window Association’s industry code of practice “ICP.005 – Protection of Openable Window Testing Specification” 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

Video Protecting Children From Falls with the Stronghold System