Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 Mar 19, 2009 6:05 pm Hi Guys,
Hoping for some advice for my parents. They are doing a renovation, and have a minimum fire rating level for windows and doors of -30- (not sure if this is how I write it but it's called dash 30 dash) They have been advised that they need shutters to get this rating. Is this right? Are there window alternatives? What alternatives are there for the shutters, ie can they be mounted in the eaves? Can the channels be set into the windows frames so there is no extra framework? TIA Bel Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Fire Rating level -30- 2Mar 20, 2009 9:16 am Strange one this,
Not sure of your circumstance here, maybe building very close to an adjoining building or boundary? Generally windows, or window shutters do not achieve any sort of adequate fire rating to meet BCA compliance (I might be wrong) I know in commercial situations if your window is close to an adjoining building, you would fire drench it, ie put a sprinkler over the window which pours water over the window to protect it in a fire situation. Pat. Re: Fire Rating level -30- 3Mar 20, 2009 10:06 am AS 3959 - 2009 BAL 29
Quote: 7.5.2 Windows Windows shall comply with one of the following: (a) They shall be completely protected by a bushfire shutter that complies with Clause 7.5.1. or (b) They shall comply with the following: (i) Window frames and window joinery and shall be made from one of the following: (A) Bushfire-resisting timber (see Appendix F). or (B) Metal. or (C) Metal-reinforced PVC-U. The reinforcing members shall be made from aluminium, stainless steel, or corrosion-resistant steel, and the frame and the sash shall satisfy the design load, performance and structural strength of the member. (ii) Externally fitted hardware that supports the sash in its functions of opening and closing shall be metal. (iii) Glazing shall be toughened glass minimum 5 mm. (iv) Where glazing is less than 400 mm from the ground or less than 400 mm above decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar elements or fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending more than 110 mm in width from the window frame (see Figure D3, Appendix D) that portion shall be screened with a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium. (v) The openable portions of windows shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium. BAL - 40 Quote: 8.5.2 Windows Window assemblies shall comply with one of the following: (a) They shall be completely protected by a bushfire shutter that complies with Clause 8.5.1. or (b) They shall comply with the following: (i) Window frames and hardware shall be metal. (ii) Glazing shall be toughened glass, minimum 5 mm. (iii) Both the openable and the fixed portions of the window shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel or bronze. Seals to stiles, head and sills or thresholds shall be manufactured from materials having a flammability index no greater than 5. "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Fire Rating level -30- 4Mar 20, 2009 3:50 pm Thanks for the help guys!
Pat - They back onto a bush reserve (Middle Harbour in Sydney), so no adjoining walls etc - but thanks! Ed - Thanks for this, will send it to Dad....umm but what does it mean Bel Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Fire Rating level -30- 6Mar 20, 2009 4:54 pm bel Forgot to ask Ed - do you do this sort of thing? I don't know 30 (?). The standard I quoted is brand new after the recent bush fires. As I read it...
40 As above plus fire resistant seals. Alternatively in both cases, it says you can have bush fire shutters (about which I know nothing). We can supply these windows, as can most window suppliers Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Fire Rating level -30- 7Mar 20, 2009 5:11 pm bel - what fire rating did you get from the Council - level 1, 2, 3 or extreme?
We're level 3 - but I haven't heard anything about this window specification - our quote simply says "meet level 3 bushfire requirements as per legislation" or something like that. The windows sound like the legislated descriptions posted (remember the 5mm thickness point). Ours are all through Trend. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Fire Rating level -30- 8Mar 20, 2009 5:31 pm Hey SC - it's Mum and Dad's place - they are doing a reno.
Dad said they are Extreme Fire Rating, and had to get an independent bushfire hazard consultant to do a report, to submit with the DA. They want to look at their options, but it's not looking good! Dad has since found out that yes they will need the shutters and 5mm thickness. They are now going to wait and see what council tell them they have to have as part of the DA, rather than try and solve it before approval!!! Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Fire Rating level -30- 9Mar 20, 2009 5:59 pm bel ! Dad has since found out that yes they will need the shutters and 5mm thickness. That's not what the standard says... "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Fire Rating level -30- 10Mar 23, 2009 11:38 am Windows are the most vulnerable structure to radiant heat during a bushfire. Although most houses burn down from an ember attack, if the flame front gets close enough the radiant heat will cause the window to shatter. The flammable interior furnishings to quickly ignite and the house appears to 'explode' from within. The window radiant loads are thus: "At radiant heat flux levels under 12.5 kW/m2, unscreened windows may crack and allow heat and embers to enter the building leading to a building fire. At 19 kW/m2 screened windows could fail. At levels of 29 kW/m2 fascia board and flame retardant timbers are likely to ignite after a short period of exposure. Toughened glass is generally suitable up to levels of approximately 25 kW/m2 and requires screening at levels above this." http://bushfire.nsw.gov.au/file_system/ ... B99F1F.pdf The radiant intensity is proportional to flame height and distance. Grass fires have low intensity compared to trees. Radiant heat flux remains below the 12.5 KW/m2 threshold if the window is around 2.5 x the distance of the flame height. If you cannot achieve this (due to close vegetation) then some form of radiant barrier is required to protect the window. This is how the fire authorities/councils rate your bushfire risk - low, medium, high and extreme. Mesh reduces the radiant load by about 25% but shutters are the conventional (but expensive) method of effectively protecting the window from an intense flame. Another effective solution is to have a foil blind in front of the window. This will reflect >95% of radiant heat. In the US firefighters use portable foil tent shelter as radiant protection in case they get caught in a passing flame front. http://www.firelab.org/media/ffszhowbig.pdf We will be in medium risk area and although it is not necessary for us to have radiant protection (no nearby tress), my plans will to be rig up some rolls of fire-resistant sisalation and hang them from the eaves at the beginning of summer. Part of our bushfire plan will be to drop them into place at the first hint of a nearby fire and commence the rest of the preparations for the ember attack. http://www.wildfireprotection.com.au/index.html The recent fires are a timely reminder that a bushfire action plan requires a comprehensive management strategy that is in place long before the fire season begins. Window shutters are only one (but important component) of defending against a fire. Fire-fighting units take their preparation very seriously as should home-owners who live in high-risk areas. For the best practical information consult: Essential Bush Fire Safety Tips by Joan Webster (well referenced from CSIRO and other bushfire research around the world) or check the websites of your local fire authority - CFS, CFA etc They often have reps who do community education during the year. Re: Fire Rating level -30- 11Mar 24, 2009 5:43 pm Thanks for the great info dymonite69. Will pass this and your references onto Dad to have a look at. He actually met with the Council today, and the town planner (?) mentioned that the council are looking to approach all owners along their street to comply with the new rules. The town planner mentioned the recent Melb fires, and that they may not enforce the shutters due to the cost, but will make owners look at their properties in terms of risk. Still not in. Don't ask!? We are tossing up between a Jarrahdale radiant wood fire (the Pioneer) and a convection wood fire (Innovator or Countryman) but cannot decide on which type of wood fire is… 0 5247 Need some advice. Living in a townhouse with one common wall, recently we have discovered that the fire separation wall is incomplete and on further investigation, support… 0 3851 Not back peddling at all. You seem to have issues with comprehension my friend. Guy fcked up, he's considering being dishonest with his bank and hiding it. It will end… 21 14243 |