Issues Affecting Specification

For many specifiers, clients, contractors and tenants, understanding PVC-U window and door specifications can be a difficult process.  Conflicting and contradictory information, changes to legislation and building regulations, and supplier opinions can lead to specifications become unwieldy and unmanageable.

Below is a very brief overview of the essentials of any specification, an explanation of each of the major British Standards relating to PVC-U window and door products, and a reference point to the Building Regulations, each of which can be viewed and downloaded from the library in this section.

Overview of the main British Standards relating to the PVC-U Window and Door industry

BS EN 12608: 2003 (formerly BS 7413:1991) Specification for White PVCu Extruded Hollow Profiles
This standard relates to the methods and test criteria for the manufacture of finished PVC-U profiles.  In order for the profiles to achieve a kitemark accreditation from BSI, compliance with this standard is mandatory.

Included in the specification are the requirements for the following:-

Raw materials, their properties, and performance.

BS 7412:2002 Specification for Plastic Windows made from PVC-U Extruded Hollow Profiles
This specification covers the construction of the window, security, safety, operation, weather performance, and strength performance.

The requirements of BS6375 for weather performance are now incorporated within this British Standard.

BS 7950 Enhanced Security (formerly PAS011)
This standard covers the security testing and performance of Casement Windows both Internally and Externally Beaded, and Tilt and Turns.

It must be noted that before one can hold the accreditation for BS7950 you must be in possession of formal accreditation to BS 7412.

This standard does not cover any other products, and the certificate is granted only on the basis that the PVC-U profiles, screw fixings, and hardware collectively meet the requirements of the standard, and the windows are fabricated in accordance with the systems companies fabrication manuals.

PAS 23-1 - General performance requirements for doors
This standard covers general performance requirements for Single, External doors (note it does not cover French doors).  As with BS 7412, this standard covers areas such as weather performance, basic security, safety, operation and strength performance for doors.  This standard is also applicable to composite doors

PAS 24-1 - Enhanced Security for doors
This standard covers the security testing and performance of single and double leaf, external doors for dwellings.  As part of this product assessment the relationship between resistance to forced entry by human intervention and resistance to entry under multi-directional loading and hard and soft body impacts, is tested. 

As with windows the kitemark certificate for PAS 23-1 and PAS 24-1 is only granted on the basis that the PVCu profiles, screws fixings, and hardware collectively meet the requirements of the standard, and doors are fabricated in accordance with systems companies fabrication manual.

It is envisaged that as with PAS 011 now BS 7950, PAS 023/024 will eventually become a British Standards in their own right.

BS EN 1279 (formerly known as) BS 5713:1979 Specification for Hermetically Sealed Flat Double Glazing Units
This specification covers the sealing and fabrication of factory made double glazed sealed units.  The standard does not include any detailed designs i.e. leaded units/ Georgian units but only refers to standard flat units

BS 6262:1982 Code of Practice for Glazing in Buildings

This code of practice gives the recommendations for the design, installation and maintenance of vertically glazed glass and plastic sheets in buildings.

This code of practice deals with the material types of glazing i.e. Laminated, Toughened, and other forms of applicable materials.

BS 6206: 1981 Specification for Impact Performance for Flat Safety Glass and Safety Plastics in Buildings
This specification covers the performance and test methods in respect of energy, absorption, impact for safety glass and safety plastics.

The standard also dictates where safety glass i.e. Toughened or Laminated must be used in buildings to avoid injuries.

For example low level glazing in windows and especially the glazing of Residential Doors and areas immediately adjacent thereto.

ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems that specifies a process for controlling and improving a company's environmental performance.

OHSAS 18001
OHSAS 18001 is the assessment specification for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems.  It was developed in response to the need for companies to meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.

Overview of the main Building Regulations relating to the PVC-U Window and Door industry

In England and Wales

Part A – Structure (for Bay Windows)

Part B – Fire Egress

Part E – Resistance to Passage of Sound

Part F – Ventilation

Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power

Part M – Disabled Access

Part N – Safety Glazing

In Scotland

Part E – Means of escape from Fire

Part H – Resistance to Transmission of Sound

Part J – Conservation of Fuel and Power

Part K – Ventilation of Buildings