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Window safety: secure power-operated windows

… limbs, or cause impact Component failure such as a window leaf falling/collapsing Protective measures for greater window safety Power-operated windows need special protective measures. Safety elements are often prescribed for automated windows with a drive system. These Window safety systems must recognise when a person or an object is in the path of opening or closing, and subsequently stop the movement. In the event of a malfunction, a window must be prevented from flying open or dropping down, too. This is achieved via mechanical safeguards - on bottom-hung windows which are inward-opening this may be by means of a gripping and cleaning scissor stay, or via a safety scissor stay. Product Safety Act, guidelines and standards for window safety Window safety applies to both manually-operated and electric windows. Possible danger zones on windows are to be repaired. Power-operated or automated windows are machines as defined in the European Machinery Directive MRL 2006/42/EC. In the European Union, this covers a standardised level of protection for machines to prevent accidents. The objective is to “ensure the safety and health of people, particularly of employees and users, and also of pets and objects if necessary, particularly with regard to handling machinery”. The Machinery Directive is implemented in Germany via the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) and the Machinery Ordinance (9. ProdSV) that is based on it. Product standards for windows Additional safety features which protect users of windows and doors against hazards arising from improper operation, use, or system failure are covered in the EN 14351-1 product standard for windows. Gripping and cleaning scissor stays or safety scissor stays, locking mechanisms and opening restrictors are mechanical components that are suitable for preventing accidents and dangers. Power-operated windows also fall within the area of application of product standard EN 14351-1. EN 60335-2-103 applies to the safety of electric drive units in use. Risk assessment and determining protection ratings for power-operated windows A risk assessment must be performed during building planning to determine the potential hazards of a motor-driven window, and to implement appropriate safeguard in responses. The installer of the window performs the assessment in compliance with the Machinery Directive, and based on: Installation situation Automated Windows where the lower edge of the leaf is at least … m from the floor are at greater risk, and a risk analysis must be carried out. Type of room use Office buildings, living areas, nursery schools, schools, or hospitals and other health institutions are assessed differently. After all, people in special need of protection who are using the room, for example children in educational institutions are considered less aware of the risks than a user group that is fully familiar with the window equipment. Control/operation An automated and centrally controlled window, such as via a rain/wind control unit or a building management system, are considered to be more dangerous compared to a manually operated window with key switch and visual contact with the window. The results of installer’s assessment give the protection rating for the respective window, and the resulting risk reduction measures to be implemented: Protection rating 0: no measures Protection rating 1: Warning notices Protection rating 2: e.g. signals Protection rating 3: e.g. switching operation Protection rating 4: e.g. sensors such as light curtains Window safety systems from GEZE Power-operated windows are considered to be machines. GEZE window safety systems are special solutions that support user safety and protect people from the hazards of automated windows. Pinch protection for power-operated windows For example, GEZE sensor solutions help automatically controlled windows to guarantee the window safety prescribed according to protection ratings and DIN standards. These components reliably protect against hazards that arise from pinching and shearing edges, and ensure that window systems are safe for all users of the building in day-to-day operation. This is particularly relevant in buildings such as schools, nursery schools and hospitals, as well as in buildings that are open to the public, such as meeting venues and retail spaces. Here in particular, it must be ensured that improper use of the windows or carelessness do not result in injury. Window safety for bottom-hung windows When drives are used for activating bottom-hung windows (open/close), there is a potential danger of falling window leaves. For this reason, GEZE prescribes the compulsory use of separate GEZE safety scissor stays, which are not connected with the drive. The GEZE safety scissor stays ensure that a permanent fixed connection between the frame and leaf is guaranteed – independently of the drive. The driven bottom-hung window is only safely protected against falling when GEZE safety scissor stays (type 35 or type 60) are used. The bottom-hung window must not be operated if the safety scissor stays are missing. Falling window leaves can be a significant danger for the life and limb or persons near the window. For this reason, the use of GEZE safety scissor stays is compulsory when GEZE - drives are used on bottom-hung windows. These also secure the window if components fail, such as a chain on a drive breaking or if a window hinge breaks. Go to the GEZE window safety systems GEZE window safety systems via safety scissor stays Safety scissors prevent uncontrolled falling of large and heavy window leaves in the tilted position in the event of an unexpected malfunction. The safety scissor kicks in to take up the load only if the drive fails. GEZE safety scissor no. 35 For product liability reasons, installation of safety scissors on automatically operated bottom-hung leaves is mandatory. They ensure a permanent connection between the leaf and the frame in the event of malfunction. © GEZE GmbH GEZE gripping and cleaning scissor stay (FPS) Gripping and cleaning scissor stays: these are designed to make exterior cleaning easier and to protect manually operated bottom-hung leaves. If bottom-hung leaves need to be cleaned from outside, then the leaf is tilted further inwards. The window leaf is manually locked into a cleaning position to hold it in place. Additional safeguarding of the leaf position is required in this cleaning position in order to restrict the tilting movement. © GEZE GmbH GEZE window safety systems for automated windows Protection rating

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Window safety: secure power-operated windows

… limbs, or cause impact Component failure such as a window leaf falling/collapsing Protective measures for greater window safety Power-operated windows need special protective measures. Safety elements are often prescribed for automated windows with a drive system. These Window safety systems must recognise when a person or an object is in the path of opening or closing, and subsequently stop the movement. In the event of a malfunction, a window must be prevented from flying open or dropping down, too. This is achieved via mechanical safeguards - on bottom-hung windows which are inward-opening this may be by means of a gripping and cleaning scissor stay, or via a safety scissor stay. Product Safety Act, guidelines and standards for window safety Window safety applies to both manually-operated and electric windows. Possible danger zones on windows are to be repaired. Power-operated or automated windows are machines as defined in the European Machinery Directive MRL 2006/42/EC. In the European Union, this covers a standardised level of protection for machines to prevent accidents. The objective is to “ensure the safety and health of people, particularly of employees and users, and also of pets and objects if necessary, particularly with regard to handling machinery”. The Machinery Directive is implemented in Germany via the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) and the Machinery Ordinance (9. ProdSV) that is based on it. Product standards for windows Additional safety features which protect users of windows and doors against hazards arising from improper operation, use, or system failure are covered in the EN 14351-1 product standard for windows. Gripping and cleaning scissor stays or safety scissor stays, locking mechanisms and opening restrictors are mechanical components that are suitable for preventing accidents and dangers. Power-operated windows also fall within the area of application of product standard EN 14351-1. EN 60335-2-103 applies to the safety of electric drive units in use. Risk assessment and determining protection ratings for power-operated windows A risk assessment must be performed during building planning to determine the potential hazards of a motor-driven window, and to implement appropriate safeguard in responses. The installer of the window performs the assessment in compliance with the Machinery Directive, and based on: Installation situation Automated Windows where the lower edge of the leaf is at least … m from the floor are at greater risk, and a risk analysis must be carried out. Type of room use Office buildings, living areas, nursery schools, schools, or hospitals and other health institutions are assessed differently. After all, people in special need of protection who are using the room, for example children in educational institutions are considered less aware of the risks than a user group that is fully familiar with the window equipment. Control/operation An automated and centrally controlled window, such as via a rain/wind control unit or a building management system, are considered to be more dangerous compared to a manually operated window with key switch and visual contact with the window. The results of installer’s assessment give the protection rating for the respective window, and the resulting risk reduction measures to be implemented: Protection rating 0: no measures Protection rating 1: Warning notices Protection rating 2: e.g. signals Protection rating 3: e.g. switching operation Protection rating 4: e.g. sensors such as light curtains Window safety systems from GEZE Power-operated windows are considered to be machines. GEZE window safety systems are special solutions that support user safety and protect people from the hazards of automated windows. Pinch protection for power-operated windows For example, GEZE sensor solutions help automatically controlled windows to guarantee the window safety prescribed according to protection ratings and DIN standards. These components reliably protect against hazards that arise from pinching and shearing edges, and ensure that window systems are safe for all users of the building in day-to-day operation. This is particularly relevant in buildings such as schools, nursery schools and hospitals, as well as in buildings that are open to the public, such as meeting venues and retail spaces. Here in particular, it must be ensured that improper use of the windows or carelessness do not result in injury. Window safety for bottom-hung windows When drives are used for activating bottom-hung windows (open/close), there is a potential danger of falling window leaves. For this reason, GEZE prescribes the compulsory use of separate GEZE safety scissor stays, which are not connected with the drive. The GEZE safety scissor stays ensure that a permanent fixed connection between the frame and leaf is guaranteed – independently of the drive. The driven bottom-hung window is only safely protected against falling when GEZE safety scissor stays (type 35 or type 60) are used. The bottom-hung window must not be operated if the safety scissor stays are missing. Falling window leaves can be a significant danger for the life and limb or persons near the window. For this reason, the use of GEZE safety scissor stays is compulsory when GEZE - drives are used on bottom-hung windows. These also secure the window if components fail, such as a chain on a drive breaking or if a window hinge breaks. Go to the GEZE window safety systems GEZE window safety systems via safety scissor stays Safety scissors prevent uncontrolled falling of large and heavy window leaves in the tilted position in the event of an unexpected malfunction. The safety scissor kicks in to take up the load only if the drive fails. GEZE safety scissor no. 35 For product liability reasons, installation of safety scissors on automatically operated bottom-hung leaves is mandatory. They ensure a permanent connection between the leaf and the frame in the event of malfunction. © GEZE GmbH GEZE gripping and cleaning scissor stay (FPS) Gripping and cleaning scissor stays: these are designed to make exterior cleaning easier and to protect manually operated bottom-hung leaves. If bottom-hung leaves need to be cleaned from outside, then the leaf is tilted further inwards. The window leaf is manually locked into a cleaning position to hold it in place. Additional safeguarding of the leaf position is required in this cleaning position in order to restrict the tilting movement. © GEZE GmbH GEZE window safety systems for automated windows Protection rating

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Planning and modernising sustainable buildings

… limb in the event of danger – for safe evacuation or self-rescue. We believe that energy efficiency is not at odds with comfort – in fact, the two often go hand in hand. Public standards such as DIN 18040 can thus be met while ensuring user comfort – a true win-win for planners and architects. ARRANGE A CONSULTATION NOW Focus on sustainability: Examples of GEZE products with environmental product declaration (EPD) certification Slimchain The slim and discreet Slimchain window drive blends harmoniously into the façade design, is easy to retrofit and, in combination with building automation, opens up a wide range of possible applications. From optimising the indoor climate through natural ventilation to reducing energy costs through night-time cooling. Learn more about the Slimchain Powerturn The GEZE Powerturn swing door drive opens even large, heavy doors with a leaf weight of up to 600 kg reliably and safely. With its low height of only