The new Bushfire Construction Standard AS3959-2009 was recently released, outlining minimum standards for building in bushfire prone areas. This Standard is now mandatory in Victoria and ACT with Queensland commencing in October.
The Trend Windows & Doors ® Xtreme® range of Bushfire Window and Door products has recently been tested to the new Bushfire Construction standards (AS3959-2009 and AS1530.8.1 -2007). The Xtreme® windows and doors range passed the standard test at the BAL 40 level without the need for screens to be fitted to the fixed sashes. This will result in significant cost savings for the homeowner, when compared with the deemed to comply provisions of the new standard.
Trend Windows® Xtreme® Window and Door products were the first tested by the CSIRO under the previous standard in 2005. The new Xtreme® Windows and Doors are now the first products tested at the CSIRO Laboratories testing facility at North Ryde in Sydney, which has been set up specifically to test building products to the new Bushfire standard.
The Xtreme® Window and Door System, features break-through technology with the Patented Van Door® sealing system and Pyro-Protec™ Sealing systems.
Trend® has combined the technologically-advanced Xtreme® Window and Door system with Pyro-Protec® seals and glazing systems and standard 5mm or 6mm toughened glass. Double-glazed energy efficient solutions are also available.
The Van Door® and Pyro-Protec® Sealing Systems, act to protect the home against wind, water, noise, dust, and bushfire penetration. Designed with security and performance in mind, the sliding window and door sash slides on an innovative smooth rounded sill and are secured with concealed fixing points in the top rail.
All Xtreme® windows are manufactured with a sturdy 65mm frame to provide greater strength and security. Xtreme® sliding, awning and casement window sashes are a substantial 55mm wide – reminiscent of the look of timber windows.
The extensive range of Xtreme® products includes window systems with Sliding, Casement, Awning, Sashless Double Hung, Bifold , Fixed lites in both standard frames and into Crestlite® Semi Commercial Frames. Xtreme® Doors include Sliding, Hinged and Bifold in standard systems and with the Crestlite® Semi Commercial frames.
All Xtreme® products are also available with energy efficient Thermashield® options, which achieve low u-values ratings, to give extra protection and comfort to the house. These ratings are all available on the WERS (Window Energy Rating System) website and are all rated by the AFRC (Australian Fenestration Rating Council).
The Decowood® Wood Grain finish is another option available on Xtreme® products. This gives the protection of Xtreme® and the durability and low maintenance of aluminium with a true timber look for houses in bushfire areas where timber is now not available due to the provisions of the new Standard.
If a superior level of acoustic performance is required, Xtreme® Windows and Doors can be rated upto Rw39 for specific situations in a primary glazing system and even higher with secondary glazing systems.