Fall Prevention

Compliance Considerations

For existing apartment buildings, the obvious choice is a simple key locking device to prevent children from falling out of windows. Although this may be the cheapest option, it will severely restrict the airflow into the room. The Building Code of Australia Natural Ventilation and Energy Efficiency provisions do allow the use of such a restriction, as the openable area is measured on the sash size not the area that actually opens.

However, the reality for the occupant may be very different. A typical sized bedroom with a standard 1200mm high and 1800mm wide sliding window and a key locking restriction could in reality have as little as 1.2% ventilation to floor area, not the greater than 5-10% that is typically required.

Natural Ventilation to Floor Area

A typical keylocked sliding window may have an opening area of 0.15m2 which provides 1.2% ventilation as a % of floor area.

Breezway’s Solution

Another option is to replace your existing windows with Breezway Louvre Windows, especially if they are deteriorating. Breezway offers the Altair Louvre with the Stronghold System that can comply with the fall prevention requirements whilst providing ventilation and safety to occupants, even when the openings are restricted.

The Stronghold System mechanically retains blades and is ideal for apartment buildings where window openings and cross ventilation can be limited.

Other benefits include:

• Maximise airflow in comparison to other window types.
• Easy to operate and clean the outside of the window from inside the building.
• Modern, patented design seals tight to reduce noise and provides protection from the elements.
• Variety of sizes and blade options for privacy or shading.
• Option available to have the window screened from the inside if required.
• Can be customised to match existing décor for window replacements.
• Also ideal for enclosing balconies for additional safety and extra year round living space.