Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 May 21, 2012 8:21 pm Does anyone have any experience/ideas on how to get louvers into a BAL29 rating? The standard reads that you have to have all window components comprised of (as I understand it) 1. Metal 2. Fire resistant timber 3. uPVC Every louver window we've looked at is made with plastic clips to hold the glass in which is not allowed. I've tried to find the old style clips which were metal but no one makes them any more. Every window manufacturer I call says "oh yes...we are always being asked about that but we don't have an answer". Has anyone else found a solution? Our blog: [url]buildingblisshouse.blogspot.com[/url] Re: Louvers and BAL29 rating 2May 21, 2012 9:53 pm Beckgirl, my research found the same thing. Only solution is a fire resisting metal shutter/screen outside the window, but that is a pretty poor option. @builderforlife Building inspector and passionate about construction When you need an expert to take a look. Re: Louvers and BAL29 rating 3Jun 17, 2012 11:14 am I've had a bit of a win! Ullrich Aluminium make the old fashioned all metal louver components. You then (apparently) need to get these powder coated and fabricated into windows. They recommend CKA Windows for this. Fortunately both places have branches on the Gold Coast (where we are) - one at Burleigh and the other at Carrera. We are off to see them in the next couple of days to discuss options and costs. Can't believe that no other manufacturer is doing something about this BAL business! Our blog: [url]buildingblisshouse.blogspot.com[/url] Re: Louvers and BAL29 rating 5Jul 05, 2012 11:06 am Don't get too excited. Apparently the all metal Ulrich windows still have a PVC sheath lining the window clip also they may not be wind compliant (sigh). Some possible good news though! Breezeway are in the last stages of BAL29 compliance testing with their current louver window and are quietly confident that with security screens on the outside (possibly even just stainless steel) they may be complaint. Now for the bad news. There is only one testing unit in the whole of Australia. It is at the CSIRO and it is currently "off line for maintenance" aaarrrgggghhhhhh! I've been assured by a lovely lady from Breezeway that she will call me within the next 2 months and give me an update. In the meantime we are going to hold off as long as we can till we talk to her and if it looks like a goer we will put in the Breezeway louvers and keep our fingers crossed. Worse case scenario? We have to install fire shutters (ugh!). I'll keep this forum posted. Our blog: [url]buildingblisshouse.blogspot.com[/url] Re: Louvers and BAL29 rating 7Sep 17, 2012 4:40 pm OK I've found out something interesting. I read somewhere that someone said regarding the new BAL standards - "get a copy of the actual standard and make yourself fully familiar with it before you discuss with your council or certifier". Well I did that and here is a really interesting bit: Section 3.5 (page 36) "The construction requirements for the next lower BAL than that determined for the site may be applied to an elevation of the building where the elevation is not exposed to the source of bushfire attack. an elevation is deemed to be not exposed to the source of bushfire attack if all of the straight lines between that elevation and the source of bushfire attack are obstructed by another part of the building". What this means for us is on the Northern elevation we can have louvers with normal metal insect screens (with 2mm screening). Since the North was the one place we REALLY wanted louvers we are over the moon. We had previously only read abridged versions of the Standard as put out by bushfire agencies or window manufacturers. Do yourself a favour and read the actual Standard. Our blog: [url]buildingblisshouse.blogspot.com[/url] I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 9755 OK it's been a little while! I've been busy getting time where I can to work on this. I started by grading a pad (borrowing a… 26 19955 Unless the room is for storage then it's non compliant BCA V2 2019 S3 P3.8 You have 2 options 1. The builder deconstructs the section and rebuilds as per plan /… 7 10658 |