WindowMaster's intelligent motors to protect against entrapment at new school

A new £3.8 million primary school in Monmouthshire will have automated windows from WindowMaster installed to help it achieve a 'very good' BREEAM rating. It will also incorporate the company's anti-entrapment system to prevent pupils from being injured as windows close
Increasing numbers of schools and other buildings are having automated window systems installed to benefit from natural ventilation and attain BREEAM environmental performance ratings. This has led to concern about the possibility of fingers and hands accidentally becoming trapped as windows close.
Recognising this Monmouthshire County Council worked with building contractor, Willmott Dixon Group and architect White Design Ltd, to ensure the safety of pupils and staff at the new Wyesham Primary School. However, they were also committed to achieving a BREEAM rating of 'very good' and installing automated windows was an important part of this.
The conclusion was that they specified WindowMaster, Europe's largest provider of natural ventilation solutions, to supply a window automation system for the school. This was because of its ability to offer a unique system that limits the possibility of people being trapped in automated windows.
WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT window automation system uniquely incorporates 'intelligence' within each motor used to open and close windows. Microprocessors installed within these devices monitor in real-time the amount of electrical current being drawn and the precise position of the window to an accuracy of less than a millimetre.
If an object, or hands or fingers, becomes trapped in a window and prevents it from closing the amount of current drawn by the motor instantly increases. This is detected by the microprocessor which immediately reverses the motor to release the window, therefore preventing the possibility of serious injury.
Sarah Williams, client liaison officer at Willmott Dixon, said: "Achieving our target BREEAM rating was essential to us and automated windows formed an important part of this - but we also needed to ensure the safety of pupils and staff at the school.
"WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT system enables us to achieve both these. Finding a solution to this was essential as this first framework build will provide a rolling standard for future projects."
WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT window automation system is the only system in Europe that intelligently monitors windows to prevent entrapment as an integrated function of the motor and control system. It can provide almost failsafe security against the possibility of injury while windows are closing.
The system can be retrofitted on many existing windows as well as being installed on new buildings. It can operate on a broad range of window types, including top and bottom opening, sliding and parallel opening. The system can also be used on windows for heat and smoke ventilation.

Email:  geoffj@smye-holland.com