In a challenging market, the strongest propositions give customers lasting value and clear evidence of performance. For aluminium systems houses and fabricators, the opportunity is to develop windows that answer real building needs, strengthen project specifications and give customers more reasons to choose their solution.

The AluPilot Child Safety OBALKS restrictor from Winkhaus brings that opportunity into focus. Designed for inward opening turn turn aluminium windows, it combines an 89mm child safety restricted opening with lockable operation and testing to the specific child safety strength requirements of BS EN 13126-5.

Additional testing at 850 N takes the assessment beyond the standard’s 500 N child safety strength test.

Alongside AluPilot’s options for lower handle positions, this gives customers a stronger proposition for projects where safety, accessible operation and ventilation need to work together.

Stronger specifications create better project conversations
Alastair Wheeler, aluminium systems manager at Winkhaus UK, commented:

“This enhancement gives aluminium systems houses and fabricators a practical way to build stronger specifications for the future. It brings child safety performance, accessible operation and controlled opening into the project conversation, supported by test evidence.

“Those are benefits that matter throughout the life of a building. They give our customers an opportunity to engage earlier with specifiers, demonstrate the value of their window offering and move the discussion beyond appearance and price.

“For fabricators, that means a performance benefit they can explain and demonstrate,” he continued. “For systems houses, it provides another way to enhance their specifications and support their fabricator networks. Installers can reinforce the proposition through demonstrations and feed demand for these functions back through the supply chain.”

Did you know there are specific child safety requirements
BS 6375-2 provides the familiar framework for the operation and strength performance of windows. For safety devices such as restrictors, the associated BS EN 14351-1 requirement is to withstand a 350 N load applied to the sash in the most unfavourable position and direction for 60 seconds.

BS EN 13126-5:2011+A1:2014 specifically addresses devices that restrict the opening of windows and door height windows. Within it, general safety restriction has a maximum opening of 100mm, while child safety restriction reduces that aperture to 89mm. The child safety restrictor strength test also increases the load from 350N to 500N.

The AluPilot solution has been tested to these specific child safety requirements, with further testing undertaken at 850N. The combination of a smaller opening and testing above the accepted general safety restrictor load provides a higher level of assessed child safety performance for customers. The additional 850N assessment extends the evidence beyond the standard child safety strength load.

Adrian Collins, laboratory manager at Winkhaus Laboratories, explained:

“The distinction is clear: child safety restriction requires a smaller opening and a higher strength test. Testing to those specific requirements gives customers meaningful evidence to support their specifications. Our additional testing at 850N takes that assessment further.”

Simple control of restricted and wider opening
The restriction is straightforward to enable, the user turns the handle to its first position, the window can then open to with the restrictors engaged allowing partial opening to 89mm, when the handle is moved back to its original position and the key is turned, full opening is locked out.

To release the restriction, simply turn the key and move the handle to its first position and close the window, to open fully move the handle to its top position.

The OBALKS is automatically engaged when the handle is at position one and locked when moving back to its original and the additional locking with a key will then stop any further handle movement

This gives users a clear choice between restricted operation and authorised wider opening. It also provides a simple function for fabricators and installers to demonstrate during sales discussions and handover.

Ventilation that reflects real world needs
As temperatures rise, the ability to ventilate homes effectively becomes increasingly important. Occupants need practical ways to exchange air quickly and manage comfort during warmer weather. Windows must therefore be considered for how they operate and the usable opening they provide.

Purge ventilation under Part F and overheating management under Part O are distinct requirements, but both bring window operation into the design conversation. The AluPilot turn turn arrangement provides inward opening operation with a controlled restricted position and access to a larger opening when appropriate.

Lower handle positioning adds further value. The AluPilot platform, including Comfort OBALK, offers options to place controls within reach and support the handle positions required by the applicable Part M dwelling category. This helps bring accessible operation into the specification from the outset.

The design team can coordinate those choices with the required ventilation area and appropriate protection from falling where wider openings contribute to the overheating strategy. Customers gain a window proposition built around everyday use as well as performance evidence.

Technical support behind the customer proposition
Winkhaus Laboratories supports customers through its testing capability and technical expertise, helping connect hardware selection with evidence for the proposed window assembly. Its expanded UKAS accreditation covers specific tests under BS EN 13126-5, strengthening the support available to systems houses and fabricators developing their specifications.

With child safety performance, straightforward lockable operation and accessible handle options,AluPilot gives aluminium window suppliers more to bring to their next project conversation. Contact Winkhaus to explore the turn turn solution and strengthen your specification for the future.