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Restricted Openings

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The National Construction Code specifies various requirements for the prevention of falls from openable windows. The intent of these requirements is to limit the risk of a person (especially a young child) falling through an openable window.

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Factors to determine window restrictions:

  • Fall height – is the distance from the interior floor level to the surface below
  • Height of opening above floor
  • Existence of footholds/climbable elements – including window sills and window seats
  • Room usage

Types of restrictions:

  • Child resistant restrictions – means that a key, Allen key, screwdriver, spanner or the coordinated use of two hands is required to open the window beyond 125 mm.
  • Permanent restrictions – means that a restrictor or screen is securely fixed in position (e.g. a screen pop riveted to the window frame) so it cannot be unlocked, overridden, or is very difficult to remove without, for example, a drill. To comply with the NCC, screens must be able to withstand a force of 250 Newtons.

The standard that covers testing for window restriction devices is AS5203. AS5203 includes a certification worksheet and should be given to the owner of the building.

For example – Permanent restrictions apply when:

Fall height

2m or greater

Opening – distance from floor

Less than 1700mm

Footholds between 150 &750mm

Yes

Room usage

Bedroom

Ventilation is always brought up when we talk about restricting windows. Opening area of windows should account for 5% of the floor area of the room. It is calculated in total area of the sash not the openable area. This means restricting the opening of the window does not impact on the NCC ventilation requirements.

In a practical sense however, ventilation is affected. The AWS Trickle Vent is an integrated system that provides improved ventilation in the building envelope without requiring any windows or doors to be opened. Once installed, it quietly goes about its job, without any need for power (electrical or otherwise) or human involvement. In fact, it provides fresh air whether a room is occupied or not, making it ideal for education projects, apartment blocks, multi-storey houses, or anywhere that balances the need for good ventilation with the safety of the building’s occupants.

Download the flowchart that can be used to determine fall prevention requirements as prescribed by the National Construction Code.

Credit: The Australian Window Association.

Please note the below chart was current as of 04/04/2017 and will change as updates are made. 

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A growing need in our communities

Food insecurity in Australia is rising at an alarming rate. Last year, an estimated 3.5 million households struggled to put food on the table, with the cost of living now the number one driver of hardship. The charities OzHarvest supports say they could distribute double the amount of food to meet demand. Every day, new people are turning up for help, often feeling ashamed or embarrassed to ask.

James from St Albans Community Youth Club in Victoria, which receives OzHarvest food weekly, put it simply: “For the first time in 10 years, we’re struggling to feed everyone.”

Why the festive season matters

The festive period can be especially difficult for families who do not know where their next meal is coming from. Demand typically spikes at this time of year, even as household budgets are stretched further. OzHarvest is working hard to ensure nourishing food reaches those who need it most, not just during the holidays but all year round.

About OzHarvest

OzHarvest was founded in 2004 by Ronni Kahn AO, after she noticed how much quality food was going to waste through her events business. What began as a simple, practical solution rescuing surplus food and delivering it to charities quickly grew from one van in Sydney into a nationwide movement. As OzHarvest expanded, Ronni and a team of pro bono lawyers successfully lobbied state governments to change legislation so food donors could give surplus food to charities without fear of liability. NSW led the way with the Civil Liabilities Amendment Act in 2005, and other states followed.

Today, OzHarvest rescues food at scale with a clear purpose to Nourish Our Country. Their mission is to stop food waste, feed people in need, and protect our planet by championing the value of food and driving change at every level of society. Their work strongly aligns with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

How you can help (if you would like to)

OzHarvest welcomes every contribution. The impact is immediate and tangible.

  • $1 = 2 meals
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Image credit: OzHarvest

 

 

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The Symposium, presented by the Murcutt Foundation, celebrates more than five decades of architectural practice by Glenn Murcutt AO, Australia’s most celebrated living architect. The program offers three days of tours, talks and events for architects, students and design professionals, culminating in a rare opportunity to engage directly with some of Murcutt’s most acclaimed works.

As part of its ongoing support for architectural excellence and sustainable, place-based design, AWS is sponsoring the Murcutt Building Tours on Thursday, 11 September, providing a rare, guided experience led by Murcutt himself through two iconic residential projects:

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For full event details and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/murcutt-symposium

About the Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation: The Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation promotes the work and legacy of Glenn Murcutt AO through education, advocacy and public programs that advance environmentally responsible architecture and foster dialogue around design excellence and connection to place. For more information visit https://www.murcuttfoundation.org/

Image credit:

Simpson Lee house: Anthony Browell.

 

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This vision led to the founding of Architectural Window Systems (AWS) in January 1995, with Pead as the first General Manager and McCleary as Head of Design. AWS launched with the release of the 502 sliding window and 541 sliding door – affordable, single-glazed products that immediately stirred the market. “In those days, profiles were hand-drawn, and every detail required precise verification,” McCleary recalls. Their commitment to quality was matched by strong supplier support, relationships that remain solid today.

To bring this customer-centric model to life, AWS built a robust network of independent fabricators across Australia, now exceeding 200, with unparalleled reach and service capabilities. Steve Butcher of Great Lakes Glass, an early adopter, recalls that “their passion was infectious, and if they were starting something new, I wanted to be part of it.”

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Reflecting on the success of the last 30 years, AWS General Manager Greg Taylor notes that “it’s our model that differentiates us. A supplier that is not only an extrusion supplier, but a reliable, supportive, engaged business partner that understands the need for continuous improvement”.

In 2025, AWS will continue to focus on improvement, introducing a class-leading digital environment for specifiers, fabricators, and staff, along with an automated workflow connectivity solution exclusively for AWS fabricators.

For more information, contact marketing@awsaustralia.com.au

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