ift Guideline FE-11engl/1 „Safety in Use of Power-Operated Windows and French Windows“

ift Guideline FE-11engl/1 „Safety in Use of Power-Operated Windows and French Windows – Testing of Windows according to VFF Leaflet KB.01“

Content and Foreword

Power-operated windows are being increasingly used to aid the natural and hence energy-saving air conditioning of buildings by means of controlled opening and closing within the facade. The increased level of automation of these windows also leads to an increased hazard potential, however.

There is a plethora of rules and standards that contain statements about the safety in use of power-operated components as set out in the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (up to December 2009: 98/37/EC). For windows, these regulations are usually only applicable in parts, which makes it more difficult to implement them.

For this reason, the VFF (Verband der Fenster- und Fassadenhersteller e.V.) [association of window and facade manufacturers] has produced leaflet KB.01, which is now available in the updated 2008 version and replaces the previous issue from 2002-09. This leaflet fills the present gap in terms of a targeted assessment of power-operated windows and specifically describes the necessary measures from the individual sets of regulations that must be taken into account regarding the safety in use of power-operated windows. 

Range of application: 

The ift-Guideline presented here describes the test procedures for power-operated windows resulting from leaflet KB.01 issued by the VFF (Windows + Facade Association). 

The directive also applies to:

French windows, Sliding doors and lifting/sliding doors with a bottom frame, Louvre windows, Element types with hardware from the scope of application of DIN EN 13126-1 and DIN EN 13126-4 to -17.