In today's changing environment, bushfires have noticeably increased in ferocity, leaving many families devastated. Protect your home with UPVC double glazed windows and doors, which are non-combustible and self-extinguishing. UPVC double glazed windows and doors are an excellent alternative to wood for those in bushfire-prone areas. One of the few homes to survive the Marysville bushfire in Victoria had UPVC windows, and PVC was extensively used throughout the home.

Our UPVC windows and doors are difficult to ignite with common sources like matches and lighters. Tests on our products show that UPVC burns only while the fire source is applied, with no residual flame once the source is removed. UPVC ignites at 390 degrees, compared to pinewood at 260 degrees. The hazard of ignited UPVC can be measured by the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) test.

The LOI test measures the concentration of oxygen in an oxygen/nitrogen mixture needed for sustained combustion. According to independent testing (Hilado, CJ Flammability Handbook of Plastics, 1990), UPVC has an LOI of 45-50, compared to wood's 21-22. Materials with an LOI of 21 and above should not burn in air at room temperature, where air contains 21% oxygen. An LOI of 45-50 means UPVC burns only in very high heat conditions.

When UPVC burns, it produces smoke, similar to most natural and synthetic materials. Contrary to popular myths, independent scientific studies have concluded that UPVC fire gases are not more toxic than those from other building materials (Horrocks AR, Price D "Fire Retardant Materials" 2001). In terms of heat release, PVC has a higher heat of combustion than wood or paper, but a lower release rate than most organic materials. This means burning UPVC is unlikely to ignite nearby objects and spread flames. The UPVC used for window profiles inhibits flame spread by developing carbonaceous char instead of dripping.

Smoke is crucial because it can be lethal and obstruct escape routes. Smoke results from incomplete combustion. Under non-flaming conditions, UPVC produces the same smoke densities as wood. UPVC can produce more smoke under flaming conditions, but the smoke rate per unit time is lower than most organic materials because of PVC's low heat release. This means PVC in a home may allow more time to escape without being hindered by smoke. An experiment by the US National Bureau of Standards found UPVC had a maximum specific optical density score of 400 under non-flaming conditions, while pine scored 551 and oak 581.

Today, PVC is used in many safety applications where fire retardancy is critical, such as cable ducting. No safety feature replaces common sense, so we urge customers to remain aware and alert to potential dangers. Our UPVC combines excellent technical performance and high resistance to ignition and flame spread, ensuring a comfortable and safer living environment. All our products are manufactured in Sydney, guaranteeing the highest quality and standards.