In this section we look at various technical aspects relating to windows that architects, specifiers, other parties and indeed manufacturers should be aware of. Use the navigation on the left-hand side to find the information you need.
Regulations
For the detailed guidance regarding the Building Regulations which are applicable to windows please refer to BUilding Regulations menu option and select the relevant regional link.
Fire Safety
Windows may need to provide alternative means of escape from buildings and may need to be fire rated if they are near a property boundary or on an escape route.
Acoustic Performance – Sound Attenuation
Windows may be required to provide a specified level of sound attenuation.
Ventilation
To maintain indoor air quality windows may need to provide “purge” ventilation and are often required to accommodate background (trickle) ventilators as part of the specified ventilation system for a building.
Provisions to enable use by all people
To allow a window to be operated by all people within a building there may need to be consideration given to the type of openers and controls to ensure they are accessible and simple to use.
Conservation of Energy
As windows form part of the external facade of a building they contribute to the energy efficiency of the building and so there are limits on the thermal performance of a window.
Safety of glazing
When people are likely to come into contact with glazing it will need to be protected by a barrier or be robust so as not to break or, if it breaks, it should break safely.
Where low level glazing is at a change of level it may be required to act as a safety barrier.
Safety in the use of windows
Consideration will need to be given to the safe operation of windows, i.e. they should not open on to walkways, and to safe methods for cleaning windows.
Standards
Standards related to Windows:
BS 644:2009
Timber windows. Fully finished factory-assembled windows of various types. Specification.
BS EN 14351-1:2006+A1:2010
Windows and doors. Product standard, performance characteristics. Windows and external pedestrian doorsets without resistance to fire and/or smoke leakage characteristics.
BS 6375-1:2009
Performance of windows and doors. Classification for weathertightness and guidance on selection and specification.
BS 6375-2:2009
Performance of windows and doors. Classification for operation and strength characteristics and guidance on selection and specification.
BS 6375-3:2009
Performance of windows and doors. Classification for additional performance characteristics and guidance on selection and specification.
BS EN 1026:2000
Windows and doors. Air permeability. Test method.
BS EN 12207:2000
Windows and doors. Air permeability. Classification.
BS EN 1027:2000
Windows and doors. Watertightness. Test method.
BS EN 12208:2000
Windows and doors. Watertightness. Classification.
BS EN 12211:2000
Windows and doors. Resistance to wind load. Test method.
BS EN 12210:2000
Windows and doors. Resistance to wind load. Classification.
BS EN 14600:2005
Doorsets and openable windows with fire resisting and/ or smoke control characteristics. Requirements and classification.
BS EN 13049:2003
Windows. Soft and heavy body impact. Test method, safety requirements and classification.
BS EN 12046-1:2003
Operating forces. Test method. Windows.
BS EN 13115:2001
Windows. Classification of mechanical properties. Racking, torsion and operating forces.
BS EN 14608:2004
Windows. Determination of resistance to racking.
BS EN 14609:2004
Windows. Determination of the resistance to static torsion.
BS EN 1191:2000
Windows and doors. Resistance to repeated opening and closing. Test method.
BS EN 12400:2002
Windows and pedestrian doors. Mechanical durability. Requirements and classification.
BS EN 13141-1:2004
Ventilation for buildings. Performance testing of components/products for residential ventilation. Externally and internally mounted air transfer devices.
BS EN ISO 140-3:1995, BS 2750-3:1995 [1]
Acoustics. Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements. Laboratory measurement of airborne sound insulation of building elements.
[1] Superceded by BS EN ISO 10140-2:2010
Acoustics. Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Measurement of airborne sound insulation.
BS EN ISO 717-1:1997
Acoustics. Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements. Airborne sound insulation.
BS EN ISO 10077-1:2006
Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters. Calculation of thermal transmittance. General.
BS EN ISO 10077-2:2003
Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters. Calculation of thermal transmittance. Numerical method for frames.
BS EN ISO 12567-1:2010
Thermal performance of windows and doors. Determination of thermal transmittance by the hot-box method. Complete windows and doors.
BS 7950:1997
Specification for enhanced security performance of windows for domestic applications.
BS EN 1627:2011
Pedestrian doorsets, windows, curtain walling, grilles and shutters. Burglar resistance. Requirements and classification.
BS EN 1628:2011
Pedestrian doorsets, windows, curtain walling, grilles and shutters. Burglar resistance. Test method for the determination of resistance under static loading.
BS EN 1629:2011
Pedestrian doorsets, windows, curtain walling, grilles and shutters. Burglar resistance. Test method for the determination of resistance under dynamic loading.
BS EN 1630:2011
Pedestrian doorsets, windows, curtain walling, grilles and shutters. Burglar resistance. Test method for the determination of resistance to manual burglary attempts.
BS 8213-1:2004
Windows doors and rooflights. Design for safety in use and during cleaning of windows, including door-height windows and roof windows. Code of practice.
BS 8213-4:2007
Windows, doors and rooflights. Code of practice for the survey and installation of windows and external doorsets.
Certification
There are a number of references to certificaiton and testing of windows in the rleevant British Standard BS 644. We've put together a simple reference table to outline the testing required for windows: Window Testing Requirements
