AS2047 is the primary Australian standard for windows and glazed doors in buildings. For builders, developers, and distributors specifying windows for Australian projects — especially coastal and bushfire-prone zones — understanding AS2047 requirements is essential for project compliance and approval. Unlike the US Miami-Dade NOA system or European CE Marking, AS2047 compliance operates through a Declaration of Conformity model rather than a certificate-issuing system. This guide covers what AS2047 covers, its performance requirements, and how compliance is validated through NATA-accredited testing.
What AS2047 Actually Covers
AS2047 (Windows and external glazed doors in buildings) sets the performance requirements for windows and glazed doors used in residential and commercial buildings across Australia. Published by Standards Australia, the standard defines how windows must perform under wind pressure, water ingress, and air infiltration — the three core performance criteria that determine whether a window is suitable for a given building and location.
AS2047 does not cover glass selection or structural mounting. Those are governed by separate standards:
- AS1288: Glass in buildings — selection and installation (glass thickness, type, and sizing)
- AS4420: Test methods for windows (the actual test procedures used to validate AS2047 performance)
- AS4055: Wind loads for housing (wind classification for residential buildings)
- AS1170.2: Structural design actions — wind actions (for commercial and high-rise projects)
Builders must ensure their window supplier addresses all applicable standards, not just AS2047. A window can meet AS2047 performance requirements but fail building code compliance if the glass is incorrectly selected per AS1288 or the wind load is miscalculated per AS4055.
Performance Requirements: Wind, Water, Air
AS2047 defines three primary performance requirements, each tested according to AS4420 test methods. The window must achieve specific performance levels based on the project’s wind classification (N1–N6 for non-cyclonic, C1–C4 for cyclonic regions). The performance rating is expressed as a combined value, for example “1000/300/600” indicating water (Pa), air (Pa), and ultimate wind (Pa) resistance.
| Performance Test | AS4420 Method | What It Measures | Pass Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind pressure (ultimate) | AS4420.2 | Maximum wind load before failure | No glass dislodgement, frame deflection within limits |
| Wind pressure (serviceability) | AS4420.2 | Wind load at which window remains operable | Window still opens/closes after test |
| Water tightness | AS4420.4 | Resistance to water penetration under pressure | No water leakage to interior face |
| Air infiltration | AS4420.1 | Volume of air leakage through joints | Below maximum allowable leakage rate |
Typical Performance Levels
For most Australian residential projects, the minimum performance levels depend on the wind classification:
| Wind Class | Water Tightness (Pa) | Air Infiltration (Pa) | Ultimate Wind (Pa) |
|---|---|---|---|
| N1 (non-cyclonic, low) | 150 | 50 | 800 |
| N3 (non-cyclonic, medium) | 300 | 50 | 2000 |
| N4 (non-cyclonic, high) | 300 | 50 | 3000 |
| C2 (cyclonic) | 300 | 50 | 4000 |
| C4 (cyclonic, extreme) | 450 | 50 | 6000 |
Coastal projects in exposed locations (oceanfront, high-rise) typically require N4 or higher ratings. Builders should obtain the wind classification from their structural engineer or local council before specifying window performance levels.
The Declaration of Conformity System: No ‘AS2047 Certificate’
One of the most common misunderstandings among builders new to the Australian market is expecting to receive an “AS2047 Certificate.” There is no such document. Unlike the US Miami-Dade NOA system (where a government agency issues a formal approval certificate) or European CE Marking (where a Declaration of Performance is registered with a notified body), AS2047 compliance works through a Declaration of Conformity model.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- The manufacturer or importer declares that their product meets AS2047 performance requirements for a stated wind classification
- This declaration is supported by test reports from a NATA-accredited laboratory showing the product was tested to AS4420 methods and passed
- The declaration is registered with the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) or provided directly to building certifiers and local councils as evidence of compliance
- No central authority issues a certificate — the legal responsibility for product compliance rests with the manufacturer or importer who makes the declaration
For builders, this means the key document is not a certificate but a test report from a NATA-accredited lab plus the manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity. Building certifiers and local councils will request these documents at permit stage. As a certification-ready manufacturer, StarveilBuild provides complete test specimens for NATA-accredited lab testing, and the resulting test reports are submitted under the buyer’s brand for their Declaration of Conformity.
NATA Testing: How Specimens Are Validated
The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) is Australia’s national accreditation body for testing laboratories. For AS2047 compliance, window specimens must be tested at a NATA-accredited laboratory using the test methods defined in AS4420. The test report from a NATA-accredited lab is the primary evidence of compliance — without it, a Declaration of Conformity has no basis.
The Testing Process
- Specimen preparation: The manufacturer produces full-size window assemblies matching the exact configuration to be sold — same frame profile, glass type, hardware, and sealants
- Lab selection: The specimen is sent to a NATA-accredited window testing laboratory (such as AWTC, CSIRO, or Wintec)
- Testing sequence: The lab tests the specimen for air infiltration (AS4420.1), water tightness (AS4420.4), and wind pressure (AS4420.2) in sequence
- Test report: The lab issues a NATA-endorsed test report with all performance values and pass/fail results
- Declaration: The manufacturer/importer uses the test report to issue their Declaration of Conformity for that product configuration
StarveilBuild’s role in this process is to engineer window systems to meet AS2047 performance targets and provide complete test specimens — including full-size window assemblies with matching glass, hardware, and sealants — that the buyer submits to a NATA-accredited lab. The test report is issued under the buyer’s brand, and the buyer makes their own Declaration of Conformity. We do not hold or issue the Declaration — that is the buyer’s legal responsibility as the product brand owner in the Australian market.
BAL Ratings: Bushfire Zone Requirements
For projects in bushfire-prone areas, an additional layer of compliance applies beyond AS2047. The Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) system, defined in AS3959 (Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas), rates the severity of bushfire exposure for a specific site. Windows in BAL-rated zones must meet construction requirements that go beyond standard AS2047 performance.
| BAL Rating | Radiation Flux (kW/m²) | Window Requirements (AS3955) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAL-Low | < 12.5 | No special requirements | Urban, low vegetation |
| BAL-12.5 | 12.5–15.9 | Standard glazing, screened openings | Low-risk suburban |
| BAL-19 | 15.9–19 | 4mm toughened glass minimum, screened | Moderate risk |
| BAL-29 | 19–29 | 5mm toughened glass, frame must resist ember attack | High risk (most common) |
| BAL-40 | 29–40 | 6mm toughened glass, non-combustible frame | Very high risk |
| BAL-FZ | > 40 | Special construction: fire-rated glazing + tested assembly | Flame zone (extreme) |
BAL-29 is the most commonly specified rating for residential projects in bushfire-prone areas. At this level, aluminum frames are acceptable (as they are non-combustible), but the glazing must be at least 5mm toughened glass, and all openings must have ember-attacking screening. For BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, window assemblies must undergo additional fire resistance testing, and only specific tested and approved products can be used.
StarveilBuild engineers aluminum window systems to meet BAL-29 requirements with appropriate toughened glazing and ember-resistant hardware. For BAL-40 and BAL-FZ projects, we provide test specimens for the specialized fire testing required under AS3959. The test report and compliance documentation are issued under the buyer’s brand for their Australian market Declaration of Conformity.
Download Free AS2047 Compliance Checklist Full performance requirements table, wind classification guide, and NATA testing documentation checklist for Australian window projects. Download Resource →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there such a thing as an 'AS2047 Certificate'?
A: No. AS2047 compliance operates through a Declaration of Conformity system. The manufacturer or importer declares that the product meets AS2047 requirements, supported by NATA-accredited lab test results. There is no central certificate-issuing body. The key compliance documents are the NATA test report and the manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity.
Q: Can StarveilBuild provide AS2047 test specimens?
A: Yes. StarveilBuild engineers window systems to meet AS2047 performance requirements and provides complete test specimens for NATA-accredited lab testing. Test reports are submitted under the buyer's brand for their Declaration of Conformity. We are a certification-ready manufacturer — the compliance declaration is the buyer's legal responsibility as the brand owner.
Q: What BAL rating do I need for bushfire zones?
A: BAL ratings range from BAL-Low to BAL-FZ. Most bushfire-prone residential projects require BAL-29, which mandates at least 5mm toughened glass and ember-resistant construction. Your local council determines the BAL rating based on vegetation type, slope, and distance from the building. For BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, specialized fire-tested assemblies are required.
