In a technical breakthrough, Victoria's multi-award winning regional timber window manufacturer Paarhammer has announced the first high quality windows and doors that do not require additional shutters or fire screens in Flame Zone designated areas.

Until now, the new Australian Standard
for buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS3959-2009 and AS1530.8.2.), allowed only windows combined with a screen system to be specified for buildings in the highest Bushfire Attack Level (BAL-FZ).

In response to a market need for the products, Paarhammer Windows researched and developed their existing tilt & turn timber windows, doors and sliding doors so they would withstand temperatures exceeding 850 degrees over 30 minutes with a cooling down period of 1 hour - thus achieving the required Australian Standard AS1530.8.2.

Fire safety and risk testing to AS 3959-2009 and AS 1530.8.2 was conducted by Exova Warringtonfire in Melbourne.

Readings after the test showed the tilt & turn, sliding and locking operation was still in perfect working order. The inside of the windows, doors and weather seals showed no signs of the fire and heat of the test that simulated the highest level of bushfire outside. Radiated heat through the windows and doors did not exceed 6kW, which is less than half of the 15kW allowed by the Australian Standard 3959-2009 and AS 1530.8.2.

This impressive result was achieved using locally sourced red ironbark timber and special double-glazing and seals.

Two years after the devastating bushfires of 2009, architects and building designers can specify tested and accredited windows and doors including sliding glass doors suitable for the toughest Australian bushfire-prone areas.

"This development is very significant for people wanting to build in the highest bushfire prone area", says Tony Paarhammer, "up to now there were no windows and doors available at all for Flame Zone. We developed these products in addition to our BAL-40 windows and FZ- shutters to help keep people and property save during bushfires."

NSW readers, please note

• In NSW there are no recognised deemed-to-satisfy arrangements for construction of buildings within the Flame Zone.
• While systems that meet the requirements in AS3959-2009 for use in the Flame Zone can be used as a guide to improve building safety, there may be additional control measures by NSW Approving Authorities.

More information: 

Paarhammer Windows: www.paarhammer.com.au

Exova Warringtonfire: www.wfra.com.au

Labels: Doors, Windows, Red Ironbark,