As a glazier servicing public buildings across Victoria for over 20 years, I often carry out window upgrades in schools and hospitals. These facilities contain high air quality and safety compliance obligations that glazing plays a key role in meeting – especially important given the vulnerable occupants spending extensive time there.
Typical window compliance upgrades required
Common replacement activities to improve safety and function include installing toughened glass, fitting custom restrictor stays, replacing decaying putty seals with longer lasting alternatives, improving framing waterproofing, and upgrading to double glazed units to satisfy air infiltration metrics. Child safety devices, security enhancements, and vision panels may also be installed.
State Government funding for public building upgrades
Various funding pools exist through programs like the Greener Government Buildings initiative to subsidise vital public asset upgrades like non-compliant window replacements. Glaziers can advise clients on current grants available and help compile necessary compliance documentation to support funding applications for proposed rectification works.
Safety issues with outdated school and hospital glazing
Typical deficiencies seen in older glazing that fail to meet today’s more stringent safety codes include:
- Fragile glass unable to withstand heavy knocks/impacts
- Windows opening to dangerous degrees unattended
- Narrow width framing failing structural testing
- Poor sealing enabling exterior air ingress
These compromise safety for patients, students and staff. Non-compliant windows also hinder facilities achieving accreditations.
Key compliance areas for glazing
There are core aspects glazing in hospitals and schools must satisfy:
- Laminated/toughened glass strength
- Restrictor stays for minimal openings
- Approved fall prevention devices on higher level instals
- Achievement of air infiltration metrics
- Documentation fulfilling Australian Standards
Replacement windows that improve safety
I advise pubic sector clients on glazing products like:
- Commercial aluminium and uPVC framing
- High resistance double/triple glazing
- Narrow frame sightlines maximising light
- Tested sealants blocking dust ingress
- Integrated window opening restrictors
These solutions reliably satisfy modern safety codes and last decades with robust materials.
Staged upgrades over time
For larger sites with hundreds of windows on tight budgets, glaziers work in consultation with hospital facilities managers and school administrators to create multi-year upgrade roadmaps addressing the highest risk glazing first. This allows budgets to be managed by splitting required upgrades into achievable annual targets.
Hours of operation considerations
As wards and classrooms often cannot have major disruptions without impacting operations, experienced glaziers plan and sequence installation work carefully. This involves transporting replacement frames onsite during less busy times, isolating noisy demolition activities to low-traffic periods, and segmenting access across multiple nights/weekends.
Infection control factors
Hospitals especially necessitate stringent dust control, entry/exit containment measures and waste extraction processes during window works. Glaziers utilise protective sheeting, industrial air extractors and hygienic cleaning practices aligned to facility infection prevention policies to safeguard patients and avoid operational continuity issues.
Broader upgrade considerations
Beyond the windows themselves, schools and hospitals planning upgrades must also review:
- Number of ventilation points now required
- Integration with smoke control systems
- Levels of exterior noise transmission allowable
- Any cladding/asbestos issues requiring remediation
- Access and heritage considerations
- Lead times for specialist glazing supply
Long term maintenance planning
By installing high grade windows with durable materials upfront that comply to all codes and standards, facilities reduce future reactive maintenance. However glaziers still prepare recommended upkeep routines accounting for usage intensity factors to conduct proactive inspections and seal/hardware replacements ensuring longevity of upgrades for minimum 20+ years.
Conclusion:
In summary, hospitals and learning facilities contain significant glazing compliance responsibilities essential for occupant welfare. By partnering with trusted glaziers deeply familiar with public building codes, improvement projects can progress smoothly while making these spaces safer.
