Window labeling and certificate requirements

It’s important to know how building products perform once they are in situ. WADIC understands that it’s important for designers to be confident that timber windows actually deliver on their performance claims. To this end, WADIC is working with both manufacturers and regulatory bodies to ensure timber windows deliver optimum performance.

The requirements for window labelling in the Building Code of Australia are covered in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 1996.

The referencing of AS 2047: Windows in buildings - Selection and installation, in the BCA introduced labelling and certificate requirements for windows designed and constructed in accordance with AS 2047. Prior to this, labelling requirements only applied to safety glazing in accordance with AS 1288: Glass in buildings - Selection and installation.

Currently, the BCA 2006 provides a number of options to satisfy the glazing requirements. Under the BCA 2006 Volume One, glazing can comply with either AS 2047 or AS 1288. AS 2047 is suitable for most windows along with sliding doors with a frame, adjustable louvres, shopfronts and window walls with one piece framing. AS 1288 is suitable for glazed assemblies such as assemblies not in an external wall, fixed louvres, skylights, second hand windows, sliding doors without a frame, windows constructed on-site and hinged, revolving and shopfront doors.

Under the BCA Volume Two, also known as the Housing Provisions, glazing can comply with either AS 2047, AS 1288 or the Acceptable Construction Practice detailed in Part 3.6 of Volume Two. The requirements in Part 3.6 are based on AS 1288 and only apply where the design wind speed is not more than W41. Part 3.6 requires safety glazing to be labelled in accordance with AS 1288.

What Australian Standards apply to window labelling?

Section 2 of AS 2047 contains performance criteria for window assemblies. Window assemblies complying with AS 2047 are required to be rated to determine their serviceability design wind pressure i.e. N1, N2, etc. They are also required to achieve test results detailed in section 2 for deflection/span ratio, operating force test, air infiltration, water penetration and ultimate strength.

Section 8 of AS 2047 contains labelling and certificate requirements for window assemblies. Window assemblies for housing must be labelled. Window assemblies for other than housing must either be labelled or a certificate must be provided. For housing where windows are supplied as incomplete assemblies, AS 2047 recommends that a certificate and label is provided with the window.

When labelling is required, it must be positioned so that the window can be identified when viewed in situ. For windows used in housing, the manufacturer's identification mark, window rating and water penetration resistance is required. For residential buildings other than housing, the manufacturer's identification mark, water penetration resistance and serviceability and ultimate limit state residential rating's are required. The requirements for commercial buildings are the same except the serviceability and ultimate limit state commercial ratings are required rather than residential ratings.

Where a certificate is provided it must indicate the window rating for the window assembly?

In summary, the performance, labelling and certificate requirements for windows vary depending on the means of compliance i.e. AS 1288, AS 2047 or Part 3.6 of the BCA 2005 Volume Two. For housing, windows that comply with AS 2047 must be labelled. For buildings other than housing, windows that comply with AS 2047 must be labelled or a certificate must be provided. For glazing in accordance with AS 1288 or Part 3.6 of the BCA Volume Two, the labelling requirements only apply to safety glazing.

For further information please contact WADIC or the Building Commission's Technical Advisory Services on 1300 360 320.