Window Fall Protection Devices to Prevent Falls

Outswing-Project Out windows are a safety hazard to end users.

Through the years we have witnessed many news stories and videos of kids falling out of windows. A few years back we started limiting all of our windows to 4" to meet the New York City Fall Prevention and ASTM (American Standard for Testing Materials) F2090 Standard Specification for Window Fall Prevention. A 4" limit helps prevent children from accidentally falling out of open windows, but there is only so much a limit device can do to prevent wind shear from damaging limit devices to the point of failure.

We are not going to link every news story due to the tragedy associated with failed limit devices, but this is a topic that is real and needs to be brought to everyone's attention and a quick google will bring up many instances of kids falling out of windows.

So, what is the solution, how do we make windows safer for everyone inside and outside the building?

Window Fall Protection with Casement Inswing Windows

We believe casement inswing windows can give our customers, architects, and end-users the most benefits and safest product overall.

Benefits of Casement Inswing Windows Dynamic winds can cause damage to windows and hardware on casement outswing windows Same sightlines as outswing windows Larger vent sizes are capable with casement inswing windows Can clean from the interior of the building Can meet 5lb ADA operating force with no twisting or grasping of hand or wrist Center vent gasket resists air and water Cleaner aesthetic with no wicket screens on casement inswing windows

Some solutions to window fall prevention in the market have been to switch to all fixed windows. Eliminating operable windows creates a number of issues, here are a few: 

1. Less fresh air and the need for expensive ventilation systems.

The American Lunch Association notes what can happen when buildings have poor ventilation:

• When not enough air circulates, pollution builds up indoors. Sometimes efforts to make buildings more energy-efficient can backfire by not allowing enough air to move, building up pollution.
• Carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels indoors without proper ventilation, but it is not the only risk.
• Concentrations of radon, which can cause lung cancer, can increase in homes with low ventilation.
• High humidity outside can make indoor air more humid, increasing the risk of moisture damage indoors, such as mold growth or wood rot.

2. In an emergency, there is no quick escape route. 

In the event of a natural disaster, the powder can go out, generators can run out of fuel, plumbing can fail. In any of these instances having only fixed windows could keep you from preserving human life. 

You may be asking yourself, "How can you have a casement inswing window be egress?"

Peerless Releasable Limit Arm

Benefits of Peerless Releasable Limit Arm • Meets Fair Housing codes • For emergency egress to escape • Release arm to clean • The arm can be mounted at the head for increased fall protection

Every casement inswing window will be equipped with a releasable limit arm for maximum egress in case of emergency. 

In the moment of choice, choose something that will not fail, choose safety for everyone involved. 

For more information on our casement windows visit: http://www.peerlessproducts.com/Products/Window-Series/Casement