Prevention of Falls from Windows OCN Presentation 11 February 2017 Jann O’Connor Russell Harris The NSW Strata regulations now include requirements for the prevention of falls from windows. This short module aims to provide clarification of those regulations.  

History National Construction Code Falls from heights Balustrade requirements adapted 2009 Window fall prevention Kids Can’t Fly  Child fall prevention included in 2013 National Construction Code

Factors to determine window restrictions Fall height Height of opening above floor Existence of footholds / climbable elements Room usage Under the NCC the factors that must be considered in determining the window restrictions that apply to a particular window or opening are: The fall height, the height of the opening above the floor, the existence of footholds that can be used for climbing and the room the window is in.

Definitions Barriers Window (special definition) Climbable elements Any opening including metal louvre and operable panels Climbable elements Includes window sills, window seats etc Barriers Windows and screens can be barriers. There are a number of terms that are used in the requirements for restricted openings.   Window - the definition of a window in the NCC section on restricted openings is not the same as the definition in other parts of the code. Restricted openings apply to any opening including metal louvres or operable panels as well as windows.  Climbable elements – horizontal or near horizontal elements that facilitate climbing. This includes window seats, window sills etc.  Barriers in the regulations doesn't necessarily mean a separate barrier. A permanently restricted window or non-removable screen is a barrier.

Definitions Fall height is the distance from the interior floor level to the surface below. A roof or ledge is not the surface below unless it is protected by a NCC compliant balustrade or barrier. Fall height is the distance from the interior floor level to the surface below. It is not measured from the lower edge of the opening but from the interior floor level. The surface beneath is the ground, or a surface that is protected at the edge by a NCC compliant balustrade or barrier. This means that a roof or ledge is not the surface below unless it is protected.

NCC Compliance New buildings Renovations requiring a DA Restrictions may be Child resistant Permanent Apply to Bedrooms and early childhood centres Fall height over 4 metres Fall height is the distance from the interior floor level to the surface below. It is not measured from the lower edge of the opening but from the interior floor level. The surface beneath is the ground, or a surface that is protected at the edge by a NCC compliant balustrade or barrier. This means that a roof or ledge is not the surface below unless it is protected.

NSW Strata Strata Schemes Regulations Nearly all windows restricted Comply by March 2018 In response to the 'Kids Can't Fly' Report the NSW Government, in 2013, included an amendment to the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2010 that required windows in residential strata to be restricted. It has been included in the 2016 Strata Schemes Management Regulation as Clause 30. The date for all strata buildings to comply with the requirements is March 2018. 

Windows to be restricted Accessible from a residence Openable Less than 1.7 m above internal floor 2 metres or more above ground surface The regulation covers any window (as defined in the NCC) that is accessible from a residence in a strata scheme; that can be opened; is less than 1.7 metres above the internal floor; and is two metres or more above the ground surface. A child resistant device is required.

Definitions Child resistant release mechanism Permanent Key, Allen key, screwdriver, spanner or two hands needed Compliant removable screen Permanent Cannot be removed with a simple tool Child resistant release mechanism are screens or devices that restrict window openings and require a key, allen key, screwdriver, spanner or the coordinated use of two hands to open the window beyond 125 mm. Compliant removable screens are also child resistant barriers. Permanent restrictions can't be removed with a simple tool.  

Inbuilt Restrictors Manufacturers now produce windows that have inbuilt restrictors that may be either permanent or removable. There are also a number of hardware solutions available, such as short chain winders and barrier screens that will allow windows to comply with the new requirements. For sliding windows there are vent locks, that key lock the sash at 125 mm but allow the sash to open fully when unlocked.

Retrofit Restrictors A number of retrofit restrictors are available for different types of windows. Some examples are shown here. Care should be taken to ensure that the appropriate restrictor (permanent or child resistant) is selected.  When retrofitting restrictors it is vital to ensure that the water performance of the sill is not compromised by the hardware fittings.  

Sliding Window

Double Hung Window

Awning and Casement Window

Louvre Window Restrict the distance the handle can move. Restrict the distance the handle can move and remember that glass is not rigid and there will be some deflection under force. The longer the louvre the greater the deflection. So, it may be that the restriction is OK at the ends but not in the centre.

From the OFT Fact Sheet – Sept 2015

Screens

Testing Sphere of 125 mm diameter - can’t pass through the opening and it resists an outward horizontal action of 250 N Under the NSW regulation the device that is used to restrict the opening of windows can be a screen, lock or any other device that is a complying window safety device. That means that it must be capable of restricting the opening of a window so that a sphere having a diameter of 125 millimetres or more cannot pass through the window opening, and resists an outward horizontal action of 250 newtons. If the device can be removed, overridden or unlocked it must have a child resistant release mechanism.  

Barriers and control devices built into the window system. Type testing Barriers and control devices built into the window system. Accredited Laboratory Permanent restrictions can include screens. To comply with the NCC screens or other permanent restrictors must be able to withstand a force of 250 Newtons. If the window is supplied complete with a grille and has been tested to AS 5041 Methods of test - Security screen doors and window grilles no additional testing is required. AS 5203:2016 Protection of openable windows/fall prevention—Test sequence and compliance method is the standard that covers testing to comply with the NCC requirements for both permanent and child resistant devices. There are two ways of testing: type testing and onsite testing. Type testing can be done for screens, barriers, and window control devices that are built in to the window system. It must be done by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory with the testing done to the procedures outlined in AS 5203. Where there has been no type testing done then on site testing is carried out. This is to ensure that the window restriction device or barrier, when fitted, complies with the NCC requirements.  

On site testing – control device Long Force Test Object 150-200 mm 125 mm Sphere Complete requirements in AS 5203 Ability Knowledge Skill For retrofit options the device or barrier should be tested on-site to AS 5203, testing outcomes recorded and a compliance certificate issued. On site testing must be done by a competent person. That means that the person must have the ability, knowledge and skill to be able to perform the testing. It should be noted that the testing information for window control devices and barriers that is provided here is only an overview. AS 5203 should be referred to for the complete testing requirements. Testing for window control devices requires the use of a bullet shaped object (called a long force test object) and a sphere both with a diameter of 125 mm. A force gauge and stopwatch complete the requirements.

On site testing – control device The window is opened to its fullest extent and the bullet is placed at the most vulnerable point of the window sash. The force gauge is used to measure the application of 250 N to the bullet for 5 seconds (using the stopwatch). The bullet is then removed and the sphere is applied without force to any opening. The sphere must not pass completely through. If the integrity of the window system is compromised either during, or after, the two tests then a “fail” is recorded.

On site testing – barriers Barriers (grilles, screens etc) must be installed and secured to the installation instructions. A barrier can be strong enough to resist a force of 250 Newtons by itself however, if it is not properly secured it can be dislodged. This means that testing of the installation on site is required unless the screen or barrier has previously been laboratory tested to AS 5203 or AS 5041 as part of the whole window system. On site testing for barriers is carried out using a pressure disk; force gauge, stopwatch and the bullet or sphere. A solid rigid pressure plate with a diameter of 125 mm diameter and with a minimum thickness of 3 mm is applied to the centre of the barrier with a force of 250 N as measured by the force gauge for a minimum of 5 seconds. The pressure plate is then applied 100 mm in from the bottom visible corner or to the most vulnerable part of an unsupported edge and the test is repeated. Any openings are then checked to endure the sphere (or bullet) cannot pass through. It’s the same as for the window control device testing - any obvious dislodgement is a failure.

Flyscreens Flyscreens Force tested only Tested Untested Screens that have passed the force test may also be suitable to use as flyscreens. However normal flyscreens are usually not capable of meeting the force requirements of the NCC. Many falls occur because children have leant against flyscreens that have given away allowing the child to fall through the window. The screen shown on this slide has been tested. Flyscreens

Other Regulations There may be other requirements that apply under State or Local Government regulations that are in addition to the NCC requirements or that may even conflict with them. For example window egress is not covered in the NCC but may sometimes be required by local government. These matters should be resolved with the respective regulator.

Owners Corporation Duty of Care

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