Paarhammer creates Australia’s first Flame Zone approved bushfire resistant windows.
Paarhammer, maker of windows and door products, has recently launched Australia’s first window and glass door products approved for use in ‘Flame Zone’ bushfire attack level (BAL) designated areas, which don’t require additional shutters or fire screens.
Before the launch of these windows, Australian Standards AS3959-2009 and AS1530.8.2 required that windows be combined with a fire screen for any homes in BAL-FZ designated areas. The new Paarhammer windows and glass sliding doors were tested to withstand temperatures of greater than 850 degrees celcius, for a period greater than 30 minutes (with a cooling down period of 1 hour), and consequently adhere to the requirements of Australian Standard AS1530.8.2.
The doors and windows performed very well under the test conditions. Radiated heat through the windows and doors didn’t pass 6kW – less than half of the 15kW level allowed under Australian Standards AS 3959-2009 and AS1530.8.2.
The windows were specially built with frames made from local red ironbark and purpose-made double glazing and seals. “This development is very significant for people wanting to build in the highest bushfire prone area,” said Tony Paarhammer. “up to now there were no windows and doors available at all for Flame Zone”.
