Doubling Down on Education Standards

There are over 2500 schools in New Zealand, many of which are old and no longer fit for purpose, especially when considering the recent H1/AS1 Regulation changes. The task of updating the school building stock is considerable but needed. As it progresses, there are the usual considerations of budget and sustainability. But there is also how classroom design can influence academic performance. So decisions must not only meet H1 regulations but also the Ministry of Education’s expectations as detailed in ‘Designing Indoor Quality Learning Spaces: Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort’ (2017).

The MoE expectations are largely based on the groundbreaking research from the University of Salford in Manchester, called ‘Clever Classrooms’. The findings of this research underpin much of the New Zealand approach to classroom design, focusing on how ‘naturalness’ accounts for 49% of change in the learning environment, impacting how students progress through academic standards.

‘Naturalness’ is made up of light, temperature and air quality. The advantages of louvre windows here is the ability of teachers and students to enjoy access to fresh air which is known to boost academic learning. Positioning the louvre windows towards the top of glazed areas also allows heat to escape to help naturally regulate the temperature of classrooms, offering a sustainable solution for controlling thermal comfort. This makes for a compelling argument, but how can you be sure of specifying the right louvre windows?

Traditional louvre windows in schools were single-glazed with aluminium frames. These would now fail to meet the R-Value requirements for all climate zones as detailed in the H1 regulations. To be certain of meeting the new regulations, glass louvres will need to be double glazed and thermally broken. Examples of products which meet the regulations for all zones, demonstrating respective R-ratings of R0.59 and R0.62, are the Ventüer HAHN-S9iVA and the Ventüer HAHN-S9iVT glass louvre window systems. The S9iVA & S9iVT systems provide the increased thermal performance required by the changes, along with excellent weather tightness. Both feature a thermally broken aluminium frame and have the option of being either double, or even triple, glazed. Importantly for schools, toughened glass can be specified to meet educational glazing requirements.

Louvre windows offer a practical solution that is proven to meet classroom design requirements, and help reduce the energy burden of schools. Specifying products such as those from Ventüer also makes sure they meet the updated H1 regulations, no matter the climate zone the school is located in, making them a safe and risk-free choice.

HAHN-S9iVT Double Glazed Thermally Broken Louvre Window

Ventüer

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With double-glazing and thermally broken aluminium framed glass louvre blades, the Ventüer HAHN-S9iVT louvre window ensures maximum ventilation and weather tightness plus a substantial increase in thermal and acoustic perfromance when compared to traditional single glazed louvres.

Designed for use as a natural ventilation device or automated smoke ventilator
Double or triple glazed blades which are able to span up to 2000mm wide without intermediate mullions (wind zone dependent)
Constructed with an extruded aluminium frame and suitable for salt-spray zones and other corrosive environments when powdercoated appropriately
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Available with optional frame profile which integrates directly with standard window joinery, being set within the glazing pocket and being rubbered in
Multiple control options available, including manual lever handles, electric actuators and pneumatic systems
Certified for use as a smoke ventilation device as part of the building fire safety system

When sized correctly, the HAHN-S9iVT glass louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the HAHN-S9iVT glass louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
The HAHN-S9iVT glass louvre is certified for use as a natural smoke ventilation device in accordance with EN 12101-2

HAHN-S9iVA Double Glazed "All-Glass" Flush Glazed Louvre Window

Ventüer

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With double or triple-glazed, thermally broken flush glazed louvre blades, the Ventüer HAHN-S9iVA louvre window provides excellent ventilation, weather tightness and thermal protection.

Designed for use as a natural ventilation device or automated smoke ventilator
Double or triple glazed blades which are able to span up to 1600mm wide without intermediate mullions (wind zone dependent)
Constructed with an extruded aluminium frame and suitable for salt-spray zones and other corrosive environments when powdercoated appropriately
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Available with optional frame profile which integrates directly with standard window joinery, being set within the glazing pocket and being rubbered in
Multiple control options available, including manual lever handles, electric actuators and pneumatic systems
Certified for use as a smoke ventilation device as part of the building fire safety system

When sized correctly, the HAHN-S9iV glass louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the HAHN-S9iV glass louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
The HAHN-S9iV glass louvre is certified for use as a natural smoke ventilation device in accordance with EN 12101-3

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