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Window protection in the flame zone

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Building a home in “Flame Zone” or BAL-FZ brings with it certain challenges, windows are one of the major ones. Up until recently there has been a lack of BAL-FZ rated windows and doors available on the market however in recent times a number of providers of tested BAL-FZ window systems have entered the market. The emergence of tested systems has enabled the NSW Rural Fire Service to tighten stringency on the selection and certification of windows for BAL-FZ applications.

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The recent advice from the NSW RFS

When constructing a new building in the “Flame Zone” (BAL-FZ) the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) will require all new window assemblies to comply with the requirements of Australian Standard: Construction of buildings in bush fire-prone areas (AS3959-2009).

In New South Wales there is no ‘Deemed-to-Satisfy’ (DtS) approach to building within the Flame Zone due to the risks involved.

Notwithstanding this, the DtS requirements in Section 9 of AS3959-2009 has generally been used as a guide to determining what is acceptable. This is with the exception that the use of any combustible materials is generally prohibited.

Following the release of AS3959-2009, compliance with the window assembly requirements in Section 9 of AS3959-2009 was considered problematic due to a lack of products on the market. Therefore the NSW RFS had permitted the temporary usage of BAL-40 window assemblies with the addition of non-combustible bushfire shutters in the Flame Zone.

Recently product manufacturers and the peak industry body, the Fire Protection Association of Australia, provided information that there are now several manufacturers providing AS3959-2009 compliant window assemblies. Based on this advice, the NSW RFS is now ceasing to allow the use of BAL-40 windows with non-combustible bush fire shutters in the Flame Zone.

Grace Period

On 15 September 2017 an Information Release was issued by the NSW RFS advising that due to the scale of the change, a grace period would be allowed until 1 January 2018. The grace period allows appropriate time so that projects that are currently underway can proceed where commitments have been made in good faith based on previous window protection requirements.

The grace period will be applied to the date at which development applications are received by council. All development applications received by council prior to 1 January 2018 will be included in the grace period.

During the grace period, the NSW RFS will apply conditions 1, 2 and 3 above to all new development applications referred from council in BAL-FZ. From 1 January 2018, only condition 1 will be applied.

Things to think about

BAL-FZ windows have earned a reputation for being costly, it is important to speak directly to a BAL-FZ window manufacture to get an accurate indication of window cost for your project. Often building in bushfire prone areas may be issued different BAL ratings on individual elevations. For example BAL-FZ on the rear and side and BAL-40 on the front elevation. AWS offers the largest range of BAL-40 rated windows and doors in Australia. One way to reduce the cost of building in a BAL-FZ application would be to consider using AWS BAL-40 tested windows on all elevations with the site rating was BAL-40 or lower.

A tested shutter solution can be used in lieu of a BAL-FZ tested window, in applications where a tested shutter is used there is no requirement to use a bushfire compliant window. This presents obvious concerns, if the home owner is not home to operate the shutters and has standard windows installed in a bushfire prone area when a fire front approaches the home may be left exposed. To ensure a measure of protection in a BAL-FZ where tested shutters are being used to fully cover windows AWS strongly recommends the use of a BAL-40 Tested window system. This will provide some measure of protection for the home if occupants are not available to operate shutters in the event of a fire.

For further information regarding standards and compliance in BAL-FZ applications, please contact a NSW RFS Planning and Environment Service Centre on 1300 NSW RFS (1300 679 737) 

RFS Website 

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AWS Supports OzHarvest to Help Nourish Our Country

After a demanding year for many across our communities, AWS is proud to share that we have made a festive season donation to OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, which will provide thousands of meals to Australians in need.

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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
  • Your donation helps keep OzHarvest’s wheels turning
  • It supports food relief for over 1,500 charities helping vulnerable Aussies every day

For more information or to make a donation visit: https://www.ozharvest.org/

Image credit: OzHarvest

 

 

AWS Sponsors Building Tours at Glenn Murcutt Foundation Australia Symposium

Architectural Window Systems (AWS) is proud to sponsor the Murcutt Building Tours, a centrepiece of the inaugural Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation Symposium, to be held in Sydney from 11 – 13 September 2025.

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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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“I am so pleased that so many have taken the chance to see these two projects that were designed in such close collaboration with the clients at the time, and which have been so well loved and cared for over the many decades since. It is such a joy to share this work,” Glenn Murcutt AO.

“Glenn Murcutt’s works embody a profound sensitivity to landscape, climate and material — and they are best understood by being experienced firsthand,” said Angela Bevitt-Parr, National Marketing Manager at AWS. “AWS is proud to support this extraordinary opportunity for architects to deepen their understanding of Murcutt’s work and philosophy through direct engagement with these exceptional places.”

Beyond the tours, the Symposium will feature keynote addresses from Glenn Murcutt AO and Francis Kéré (fellow Pritzker Prize Laureate), the inaugural awarding of the Murcutt Pin, and a full day of talks exploring the themes that have informed Murcutt’s unique model of practice.

“Francis Kéré is one of the great humans, and a gifted architect who really shows architecture can make a difference in people’s lives. I have a huge amount of respect and time and a wonderful friendship with this man because of his integrity. I am so pleased that Sydney will get to meet him this year,” Glenn Murcutt AO.

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.

 

Designing Value – AWS celebrates 30 years

In late 1994, two dedicated fenestration professionals, Gavan Pead and David McCleary, took a pivotal tour of Architectural Profiles Ltd (APL) in Cambridge, New Zealand. Inspired by APL’s customer-focused business model, they envisioned bringing a similar approach to challenge the Australian market’s basic, outdated aluminium windows and doors that dominated at that time.

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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.”

AWS quickly became a trusted name in high-performance aluminium windows, with products designed to meet the needs of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. With the launch of ThermalHEART™ in 2007, followed by ThermalHEART™ commercial in 2012, AWS introduced its first thermally broken products, raising the bar for energy efficiency. In 2003, David’s son, Mark McCleary, joined AWS, continuing the family’s involvement in the company. In 2021, Mark took over the leadership of research and design, guiding the development of innovative window and door solutions. That same year, AWS introduced ComfortEDGE™, a significant step forward in thermal efficiency. With additional ComfortEDGE™ products set for release in 2025, AWS continues to strengthen its commitment to energy-efficient solutions for the Australian market.

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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