Window and Door Replacement Compliance Requirements

What This Requirement Covers

This requirement covers the compliance obligations when replacing windows and doors in buildings subject to the National Construction Code (NCC) / Building Code of Australia (BCA). It explains which performance and deemed-to-satisfy provisions apply to glazing, windows and doors, and why replacement work must meet specific structural, safety, weatherproofing and thermal performance standards. The rules exist to protect occupant safety (e.g., impact-resistant glazing), ensure structural adequacy for local wind and loading conditions, maintain fire and egress performance where relevant, and preserve the thermal envelope and energy efficiency of buildings.

These provisions apply to anyone who replaces windows or doors: builders, glaziers, framers, installers, building designers and homeowners carrying out or commissioning work on Class 1 to 10 buildings. The precise obligations depend on building class, the type of window or door being replaced, whether the assembly is design-tested (for example under AS 2047), its location (external wall, balustrade, overhead glazing), and the applicable state or territory schedule in the NCC.

Key Requirements

1. Glazing safety and human-impact glazing: Glazed assemblies at risk of human impact must comply with AS 1288 for glass and AS 2047 for windows where applicable, or meet the relevant deemed-to-satisfy Housing Provisions (NCC Volume Two, Part 8.3 and 8.4; NCC Volume One where applicable). See specifically: NCC Volume Two, Part 8.3 and 8.4 and NCC Volume One references to glazing requirements.
2. Design, testing and manufacture of windows: Windows that are covered by AS 2047 must be designed, tested and manufactured in accordance with AS 2047 (NCC Volume Two explanatory information and NCC Volume One references to AS 2047). AS 2047 applies to sliding, swinging, French and bi-fold doors with framing and many standard window types. Assemblies not covered by AS 2047 (for example skylights, rooflights, non-vertical windows, site-constructed windows, heritage or second-hand windows) must comply with AS 1288 or the Housing Provisions (NCC Volume Two, Part 8.3).
3. Weatherproofing and sealing: Replaced doors and openable windows that form part of the building envelope must be sealed in certain climate zones and situations as required by state schedules (for example NSW J5D5). Seals for bottom edges of doors must be draft protection devices; other edges may use foam or rubber compression strips, fibrous seals or similar (NCC Volume One - NSW J5D5 clause).
4. Wind and structural loading: Glazed assemblies and replacement windows must be suitable for the local wind classification and designed or tested accordingly. Where design testing under AS 2047 does not apply, the assembly should be designed in accordance with relevant wind-load guidance such as AS 4055 (local geometric/wind limits referenced in NCC Volume Two) and the NCC provisions that reference wind class limits for certain deemed-to-satisfy glazing options.
5. Thermal performance and building envelope: Replacement windows and doors that form part of the conditioned envelope must meet the relevant energy/thermal requirements in the NCC and any state variations (for example sealing requirements in certain climate zones). Where sealing is required, ensure appropriate air infiltration seals are installed (see NSW J5D5 for an example of sealing obligations).
6. Fire and egress: Where windows or doors form part of a required fire separation, smoke control or egress path (including fire doors), replacement assemblies must maintain the required Fire-Resistance Level (FRL), smoke door classification or egress dimensions as specified in NCC Volume One/Volume Two clauses relevant to the building class and element.
7. Termite and durability considerations: Where replacement involves primary building elements at risk of termite attack, the NCC requires termite management in accordance with AS 3660.1 and related provisions in the state schedules (NCC Volume One references in state schedules).
8. Applicable building classes: Requirements vary by building class. Key references in the NCC separate provisions for Class 1 and 10 buildings (NCC Volume Two - Housing Provisions, Part 8 and related clauses) and Class 2-9 buildings (NCC Volume One clauses dealing with glazing, egress, fire and structural requirements).
9. Australian Standards referenced: Common standards cited for replacement work include AS 2047 (Windows and external glazed doors in buildings - performance requirements and tests), AS 1288 (Glass in buildings - selection and installation), AS 4055 (Wind loads for housing), and AS 3660.1 (Termite management). Other Standards may apply depending on the scope (for example, AS 1905 for fire-resistant glazing, AS 1428 for access doors, AS/NZS 3500 where water penetration interfaces are relevant).
10. Exact code references: See NCC Volume Two, Part 8.3 and 8.4 for glazing provisions and AS 2047 explanatory information; see NCC Volume One glazing provisions and state schedule clauses (for example NSW J5D5) for sealing and other state-specific rules.

Residential vs Commercial

1. Residential (Class 1 / 10): Replacement in single dwellings, townhouses and associated outbuildings is primarily governed by NCC Volume Two - Housing Provisions. The Housing Provisions set out deemed-to-satisfy options for glazing (Part 8.3 / 8.4) and reference AS 2047 and AS 1288 where appropriate. Wind classification limits from AS 4055 are often used for standard housing glazing. Energy and sealing requirements apply by climate zone and may be less onerous than some commercial provisions, but safety glazing and impact protection requirements remain mandatory where human impact risk exists.
2. Commercial (Class 2-9): Replacement in multi-residential, commercial, public and industrial buildings is governed by NCC Volume One. These buildings commonly face stricter requirements for fire separation, egress, smoke control, and whole-building structural design. Replaced windows and doors in commercial buildings must preserve required FRLs, maintain smoke seals where relevant, and meet AS 2047/AS 1288 as referenced. Shopfronts, window walls and large framed glazed systems are explicitly referenced in NCC Volume One and often require design-tested assemblies and certified manufacture.

Exceptions and Exemptions

1. Assemblies exempt from AS 2047: Certain glazed items are excluded from AS 2047 and instead must comply with AS 1288 or Housing Provisions - examples include skylights/rooflights, non-vertical glazing, revolving doors, fixed louvres, second-hand or heritage windows, and site-constructed or one-off architectural windows (NCC Volume Two explanatory notes and NCC Volume One lists).
2. Where a window complies with AS 2047, some sealing requirements in state schedules may not apply (for example NSW J5D5(2)(a)).
3. Heritage buildings or approved conservation work may be subject to alternative compliance pathways; heritage windows are specifically listed as assemblies that typically fall under AS 1288 rather than AS 2047. Where NCC provisions are unclear for a heritage item, confirm with the relevant authority or a registered certifier.
4. Alternative solutions: The NCC permits alternative solutions demonstrating equivalent performance where deemed-to-satisfy provisions do not apply or cannot be met. These must be documented, tested or engineered and accepted by the relevant building surveyor or certifier.

State and Territory Variations

1. NCC state and territory schedules may add or modify requirements for window and door replacement. Examples include:
2. New South Wales (NSW): Schedule clause J5D5 requires sealing of doors and openable windows that form part of the envelope or in climate zones 4-8, with specific sealing device requirements; exemptions apply where the window complies with AS 2047 or is a fire/smoke door (NCC Volume One, NSW J5D5).
3. Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, WA, TAS, ACT, NT: Each jurisdiction may include schedule clauses modifying energy, sealing, termite management or other requirements. The NCC Volume One schedules (Schedules 4-12) should be checked for jurisdiction-specific language affecting glazing, sealing, termite management (AS 3660.1), and other local obligations. Always verify the applicable state schedule in NCC 2022 Volume One (Schedules 4-12) for the specific project location.

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Confirm building class and relevant NCC volume first. The single most important step is identifying whether the work is under NCC Volume Two (Class 1/10) or Volume One (Class 2-9) because compliance paths, clauses and referenced standards differ.
2. Check whether the assembly is covered by AS 2047 or must follow AS 1288. If the window or door is a standard, factory-made external window/door it will often be AS 2047-tested; site-built, heritage or unusual assemblies will likely require AS 1288 compliance or an alternative solution.
3. Match the window to local wind classification and design-test results. Confirm wind class (AS 4055 or the project-specific design) and use AS 2047 test reports or engineering design to ensure the replacement unit resists local wind and positive/negative pressure loads.
4. Maintain fire, smoke and egress performance. Do not replace a fire-rated window or door with a non-rated unit. Verify FRL and certified door or glazing systems and retain certification and documentation for approval by the certifier.
5. Address sealing and energy/climate requirements early. For climate zones that require sealing, plan appropriate seals (draft stops for door bottoms, compression strips for other edges) and document compliance. Keep state schedule clauses in mind (for example NSW J5D5).
6. Use certified products and keep paperwork. Use windows and doors with AS 2047 test certificates or manufacturer documentation demonstrating compliance. Retain test reports, installation instructions and certificates for the building certifier.
7. When in doubt, use an alternative solution with documented engineering or testing and talk to the certifier. If a replacement cannot meet a deemed-to-satisfy path (heritage, second-hand, large shopfronts), prepare an alternative-solution submission with supporting test reports, engineering calculations or expert statements for acceptance.

References

1. NCC 2022 Volume Two - Housing Provisions, Part 8.3 and 8.4 (glazing) and explanatory information on AS 2047
2. NCC 2022 Volume One - glazing provisions and state schedules (for example NSW J5D5)
3. AS 2047 - Windows and external glazed doors in buildings
4. AS 1288 - Glass in buildings - selection and installation
5. AS 4055 - Wind loads for housing
6. AS 3660.1 - Termite management

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