How to ensure safety when washing windows?
Reducing the number of active sashes and their sizes while simultaneously increasing the number of blind sashes negatively affects the safety of windows. After all, when washing such structures, there is a high probability of falling out of the light opening.
In the new standard, the requirements for blind sashes are expanded in comparison with the previous version:
- in double-hung windows, blind sashes are allowed with a width of no more than 400 mm
- in the case of a three-leaf window, fixed glazing is allowed in the central part with a width of no more than 800 mm
— the height of non-opening upper transoms should not exceed 400 mm; in this case, the installation of non-opening upper transoms over part of the fixed glazing is not allowed.
The new regulation also contains requirements to ensure the safety of window cleaners:
- when manufacturing window or door units, the manufacturer must take into account the risks that may arise during their washing;
- it is necessary to provide full access to the outside of window or door units so that the washer remains indoors at all times and does not protrude from light openings.
Fallout of sashes in sliding windows
The design of lift-and-slide systems has one serious drawback - there is a risk of active sashes falling out of the light opening. This is due to the features of the sliding mechanism. Fallen doors can injure those inside and outside the premises. Moreover, those who are outside the building at the time of the fall are in greater danger.
To reduce risks, the new edition of GOST 23166-2021 included clause 6.1.6, which requires protection of active sashes from falling out.
Window manufacturers will need to carefully select fittings for the manufacture of lift and slide structures. If it is not possible to eliminate the possibility of the sashes falling out, it is better to use parallel-sliding systems or the combined “Accordion” mechanism.
Destruction of glazing - what do the new standards offer?
Window manufacturers have long made recommendations that help reduce the risk of injury from broken double-glazed windows. They propose specific measures for specific situations. Subclause 6.1.2 states that when manufacturing window and door units, it is necessary to take into account the risks of injury from fragments of broken double-glazed windows. However, this point requires more specificity: where, when and what should be used to ensure the safety of windows.
Section 6.4 partially answers these questions:
To ensure safe operation of translucent filling of window, balcony blocks and balcony glazing, it is recommended:
a) use glass with polished edges, reducing stress concentration and the risk of glass destruction;
b) use safety laminated or safety tempered glass.
The fundamental innovation of the new GOST
The regulatory requirements, which will come into force on November 1, 2021, have been supplemented with a new section “Requirements for the safe operation and maintenance of windows.” It takes into account virtually all the problematic issues that may arise during the operation of door and window units:
- risks when washing windows;
- the likelihood of child loss;
- danger of operating transom sashes;
- ensuring burglary resistance;
- features of installing windows below the level of 800 mm from the floor;
- risk of glazing destruction;
- preventing sliding sashes from falling out.
All of the above points are relevant for window owners, as they pose a potential danger to them. The requirements from the new GOST should minimize the risks of dangerous situations.
Plastic windows for offices, hospitals and schools
The main purpose of the profile is to create an atmosphere favorable for work. The profile is directly related to the microclimate of the room, temperature and humidity. That is why, if the choice is made incorrectly, you can forget about high-quality productive work from employees.
Features of choosing office windows
Having decided to order windows for an office, many consider PVC designs, stylish and modern, with a number of positive features:
- Functionality. Modern profiles suggest the possibility of opening the valves in various ways, all kinds of ventilation options (from micro-slit to automatic using a built-in valve).
- Easy to care for. Plastic structures do not require any special maintenance; it is enough to wipe them when they become dirty and lubricate the fittings and mechanisms 1-2 times a season.
- Noise insulation. This is achieved due to the tightness of the profile; for additional effect, two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows are installed.
- Possibility of repairing office windows. Modern options allow, if necessary, to eliminate a malfunction without completely replacing the double-glazed window.
- Wealth of choice. Beautiful windows for an office space do not have to be white; if necessary, you can choose an interesting option that will harmoniously fit into the design concept.
When making a choice, you should take into account the climate, the specifics of the installed heating system, and the floor. Often, in office premises, window openings are of considerable size, but this does not mean that the double-glazed window must also be huge. It is very important to correctly determine the weight of the structure, which should not create a significant load on the fastening.
You can reduce the total weight in several ways:
- Installation of double-glazed windows with one chamber.
- Choice of profile with several doors, both opening and blind.
Frame thickness is another important parameter that must be taken into account. The narrow profile saves space and money, but is not durable. The thicker reinforcing option is more durable, which is optimal for large openings.
Choosing the right window size for your office is very important. Small options will lead to a lack of natural light, however, large structures will also create many inconveniences - employees will not be able to feel comfortable being “in plain sight.” The optimal glazing width should be no more than 55% of the width of the room.
Requirements for windows for office premises
When placing an office on the top floor of a high-rise building, it makes sense to take into account the wind load when choosing a double-glazed window. The profile is completed with reinforcing inserts and fastened according to GOST standards (23166-99) and DIN EN (12210). For the first floor, it is important to install bars that are designed to protect against illegal entry. However, in this case it is necessary to check that fire safety standards are fully complied with.
To protect employees from accidents, when choosing PVC windows for your office, pay attention to the material from which they are made. It is desirable that the inside of the glass unit be made of triplex.
Windows for office premises must meet a number of regulatory requirements, among which are the following:
- Illumination. A room in which people are constantly present during their working hours must have natural light. This is determined by SanPin standards, violation of which is unacceptable. According to the same standard, the glazed area must be at least 1/10 of the total area of the room. Thus, when replacing windows in an office, you should contact specialists who will make all the necessary calculations.
- Ventilation. Fresh air must enter the workspace; this is necessary for both productive activity and health. To maintain an optimal balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, modern profiles with supply ventilation valves or the possibility of micro-slot ventilation are selected. In SNiP 03/23/2003 you can find out what volume of air is considered optimal. When deciding to inexpensively install windows in your office, you should not ignore this option.
- Soundproofing. The parameter is defined in the above SNiP. The noise level in the room is allowed up to a limit of 45-50 dBA, maximum - 65 dBA. That is why the windows of an office building overlook a busy highway; it is recommended to choose double-glazed windows.
- Thermal protection. The purpose of the window is to retain heat indoors, so the heat transfer resistance coefficient should be equal to 0.5 W/m²×°C or higher. This is important to remember when choosing windows for offices in Moscow and the region. An indicator of 0.7 W/m²×°C will help to achieve significant energy savings.
- Fire resistance. Manufacturers take this requirement into account during production. If additional fire protection is needed for the premises, special double-glazed windows are purchased that can delay the spread of fire for 30-90 minutes.
All these parameters must be taken into account when choosing a modern window for your office.
Complete set of window structures
To make the PVC profile as functional and easy to use as possible, additional elements should be thought out in advance. Office window tinting is popular as it aims to protect the room from excessive sunlight and also helps protect privacy.
Features of the procedure:
- It can be done both in production and indoors after the structure has been installed.
- A special coating is applied to the glass to neutralize the sun's rays.
- There are several options for tinting: pasting with special films, coating, painting. However, if the window is already installed, then you can only use the first method.
Installing blinds on office windows helps regulate light flows and protect the interior space from the sun's rays. In addition, a well-chosen element will complete the creation of a harmonious, interesting design.
For office premises, the following variations in the arrangement of lamellas (slats) are relevant:
- Horizontally. They help control the flow of light, but require special care.
- Vertical. Easy to use, and therefore the most common.
- Built-in blinds. The horizontal strips are located in the inner chamber of the double-glazed window. They can be controlled by devices located on the outside.
Depending on the type of material, blinds for office premises can be plastic, wood, rag, or metal. Various colors and designs are possible, depending on customer preferences.
Another additional element is curtains. If the office windows are tinted, then the purpose of the curtains is limited solely to performing a decorative function. Often they replace blinds.
The main requirement for fittings is quality, strength and reliability, which is why you should choose products from reputable manufacturers. It is important to remember that the windows will be opened and closed by employees who are unlikely to treat their work property with the same care as their home windows.
Panoramic windows for the office
Large office windows with a minimum number of supporting structures are now at the peak of popularity. Panoramic models have floor-to-ceiling windows; they allow natural light into the room, look very beautiful, elegant and modern, emphasizing the status of the company.
However, when selecting and installing, the requirements of GOST 23166-99 must be observed. To ensure better ventilation and comfort, it is recommended to equip panoramic models with a rotary opening system, in which the doors rotate around their axis.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in an office look beautiful and luxurious, but it is important to understand that they are not suitable for every room. That's why it's important to get specialist advice before making a purchasing decision.
Standards governing the requirements for windows in schools
In order for plastic windows in schools to provide maximum comfort, certain requirements must be met. In Russia they are regulated by SNiPs and GOSTs. GOST rules take priority. SNiPs introduce amendments to the climatic conditions of construction, so I still do not recommend neglecting them.
To select plastic windows that meet all the requirements, I advise you to study the following GOSTs:
23166-99 - on general technical conditions for window units;
30673-99, 30674-99 - on the general technical conditions of PVC profiles;
24866-99 - about double-glazed windows;
30777-2001 - about doors, opening methods;
30971-2002 - information on the mounting units for connecting windows to walls;
30778-2001 - about seals and their materials.
These GOSTs contain information on the classification of windows according to the level of thermal insulation, sound insulation, water and air permeability, translucency and calculations. To calculate the required heat transfer resistance coefficients, you can use SNiP 02/23/2003 on thermal protection of buildings. For Moscow, the provisions of MGSN 2.01-94 are relevant, which talks about energy saving in metropolitan conditions.
How will transom windows change?
GOST 23166-2021 contains requirements for transom windows that will ensure the safety of their owners. Clause 6.1.13 clearly states that operating such sashes using standard handles alone is prohibited if they cannot be reached from the floor.
Transom windows must be equipped with either electric drives or mechanical levers. This requirement will help significantly reduce the number of injuries. After all, most people get injured when trying to reach the handle using a stool or stepladder.
Requirements for installing windows in a school
When installing plastic windows in a school, you need to ensure that they provide the necessary level of comfort and safety. You should pay attention to:
These characteristics are important because they create a classroom environment conducive to successful learning.
Window sizes
Plastic windows in schools should be large. PVC frames are capable of providing the required glazing area, which is higher in educational institutions than in residential ones. Spacious window openings are necessary to ensure that there is light in the classrooms, because studying involves increased strain on the eyes. Even the diffused light of a cloudy sky is better than artificial lighting.
Do not neglect fluorescent lamps. The climatic conditions of Russia often force them to be left on even during the day. Lamps must create the required level of illumination in the morning, evening and on gloomy days.
The ability of windows to transmit light also depends on the degree of transparency of the double-glazed windows. The higher this value, the brighter the classroom will be. This is important because sunlight not only helps to better see what is written in textbooks and on the blackboard, but also promotes disinfection, and in places with large crowds of people the risk of spreading infections is especially high.
Window insulation
When renovating a school, plastic windows should eliminate drafts, freezing and fogging, which are characteristic of wooden glazing. This is achieved by installing profiles that ensure complete tightness. It should be comfortable near the windows. It is unacceptable for them to emanate cold. Drafts and lack of heat lead to colds; in addition to children, teachers also suffer, which negatively affects the quality of education.
Plastic windows in schools must be equipped with double-glazed windows. They consist of three glasses. When choosing a double-glazed window, preference should be given to designs with energy-saving low-emissivity or multifunctional glasses. This way it will be possible to maintain an optimal microclimate both at the beginning or end of the school year, and in the depths of winter.
Who should install plastic windows at school? Local city authorities. But, if this issue was resolved within the parent committee, then when collecting money and choosing window manufacturers, it is better to give preference to companies offering a double sealing circuit made of high-quality EPDM seal. Such “rubber bands” around the perimeter of double-glazed windows and frames protect against the penetration of cold air, dust and precipitation. Additionally, they muffle street noise.
Safety and convenience of plastic windows
One of the main requirements for plastic windows in schools is safety. School classrooms need to be well ventilated. To avoid dangerous situations, the best ventilation option is a transom sash. It can be easily opened even by primary school students. Another useful option is micro-slit ventilation, which reduces drafts to a minimum.
