Windpanel Sectional Garage Door - Wind-Rated Technical Details

Overview

The Windpanel Sectional Garage Door is a specialized, wind-rated sectional overhead door system designed by B&D to withstand high wind conditions. It represents a premium solution for residential and commercial applications in wind-prone regions, incorporating advanced structural reinforcement and engineering design.

Product Variants

B & D Windpanel Mk2 Sectional Doors

The Windpanel Mk2 is the primary tested variant featuring:

• Panel Construction: Roll-formed G2NS grade steel with 0.60 mm BMT (Base Metal Thickness)
• Panel Dimensions: 570 mm height × 5,500 mm width
• Panel Stiles: Folded 'C' sections (65 × 50 mm) with 12 mm lips; 11 stiles per panel with 650 mm centre spacing
• Panel Battens: 0.70 mm BMT, G550 steel, 70 mm high and 90 mm wide top hat sections
• Hinges: 190 × 70 mm cold rolled CA2S-G steel hinges mounted on each stile per panel
• Bracing: 6.35 mm thick 6005-T5 aluminium alloy extrusions (57 × 67 mm rectangular hollow sections) with four slotted channels

B & D Windpanel™ Reinforced Sectional Door

This variant is specifically designed for higher wind classifications with:

• Maximum Dimensions: 2.64 m high × 6.15 m wide
• Design Features: Vertical braces and tracklock mechanism for enhanced structural stability
• Wind Classification: Designed for Wind Region C, Terrain Category 2

B & D Storm Shield High Wind Sectional Door

A premium high-performance variant featuring:

• Maximum Height: 3.415 m
• Maximum Width: 5.5 m
• Wind Rating: Site Wind Classification C2
• Design Wind Pressures:
  • For door widths less than 4 m: Ultimate inward 2.92 kPa, outward -3.37 kPa
  • For door widths greater than 4 m: Ultimate inward 2.92 kPa, outward -3.04 kPa

Technical Specifications

Design Wind Capacities

For Windpanel Mk2 Sectional Doors (5500 mm width with 4 braces):

The recommended strength limit state design wind pressures for outward loading direction are:

• Non-Cyclonic Regions: 6.04 kPa
• Cyclonic Regions: 6.04 kPa

Material Specifications

Panel Materials:

• Grade: G2NS roll-formed steel
• Thickness: 0.60 mm BMT
• Stiles: Folded 'C' sections with 12 mm lips
• Battens: 0.70 mm BMT G550 steel top hat sections

Bracing Components:

• Material: 6005-T5 aluminium alloy extrusion
• Thickness: 6.35 mm
• Cross-section: 57 × 67 mm rectangular hollow
• Configuration: 4 off braces with 1300 mm internal spacing and 785 mm clearance from guide track

Fastening Components:

• Hinge screws: 14-14 × ¾" hexagonal washer head self-tapping steel screws
• Batten screws: 14-14 × ¾" hexagonal washer head self-tapping steel screws
• Brace fasteners: Specialized bolted connections with U-bolt and plate assemblies

Wind Clip Reinforcement

For enhanced panel wind load resistance:

• Material: G450 Steel
• Dimensions: 150 mm wide × 235 mm long × 2.98 mm thickness
• Fastening: Eight 14-20 × 25 mm self-drilling metal screws per clip (6 on batten feet and 2 on stile)
• Placement: Fixed to internal face of sectional panels

Wind Region Classification and Design Standards

Applicable Wind Regions

• Region C: Primary application region for most Windpanel variants
• Terrain Category 2: Standard terrain classification for most installations
• Terrain Category 2.5: Alternative classification option with adjusted internal pressure coefficients

Design Standards Compliance

The Windpanel Sectional Doors comply with the following standards:

• AS/NZS 1170.2:2021 - Structural design actions, Part 2: Wind actions
• AS/NZS 4505:2012 - Garage doors and other large access doors
• AS 4100:2020 - Steel structures
• AS/NZS 4600:2018 - Cold-formed steel structures
• AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 - Structural design actions, Part 0: General principles
• AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 - Structural design actions, Part 1: Permanent imposed and other actions
• AS 4055:2021 - Wind loads for housing

Installation and Structural Requirements

Support Structure Specifications

• Steel Abutment Posts: Minimum 3.0 mm thickness with 250 MPa minimum stress grade (Storm Shield variant)
• Masonry Units: Characteristic unconfined compressive strength f'uc = 15 MPa minimum
• Core Filling: Minimum 15 MPa compressive strength
• Reinforced Concrete: Alternative support option with appropriate structural certification

Fixing and Attachment

• Guide Support: Reinforced concrete core-filled masonry units or reinforced concrete panels
• Maximum Door Opening Width: 3040 mm (for standard fixing details)
• Intermediate Fixings: Two intermediate fixings required for wind-rated doors for structural stability
• Spacing Requirements: Standard spacing as detailed in High Wind Certification Drawings

Testing and Certification

Test Programs Conducted

The Windpanel Sectional Doors have undergone comprehensive testing by the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University:

Windpanel Mk2 Testing (Report TS917):

• Static and cyclic strength simulated wind load testing
• Conducted: 8 November 2013
• NATA accredited testing
• Tested under AS/NZS 4505:2012 clauses A 6.3.1 and A 6.3.2

Panelift High Wind Variant Testing (Report TS1026):

• Cyclic simulated wind load strength testing
• Conducted: 19 January 2016
• 0.60 mm BMT steel panels with 570 mm height and 5,500 mm width
• Ultimate test pressure: 4.04 kPa for outward loading

Design Certification

• Deemed to comply with building standards in applicable jurisdictions
• Structural design assessment completed and certified
• Certificate of Compliance issued under building regulations

Key Features and Benefits

Structural Features

• Multi-Stile Construction: 11 stiles per panel providing distributed load support
• Aluminium Alloy Bracing: High-strength, lightweight braces with slotted channels for installation flexibility
• Tracklock Mechanism: Integrated locking system for wind-rated variants
• Reinforced Panel Design: Multiple battens and stiles create a robust panel structure

Wind Performance

• High Wind Capacity: Rated for ultimate design wind pressures up to 6.04 kPa
• Bidirectional Loading: Designed for both inward and outward wind loading
• Regional Flexibility: Multiple design options for different wind regions and terrain categories
• Cyclonic Compliance: Suitable for both non-cyclonic and cyclonic region applications

Installation and Maintenance

• Professional Installation: Requires skilled installation according to B&D guidelines
• Modular Design: Individual panels can be serviced or replaced as needed
• Component Accessibility: All major components accessible for maintenance and repair
• Documentation: Comprehensive installation manuals and engineering drawings provided

Design Limitations and Considerations

Site-Specific Factors

• Calculated site-specific ultimate design wind pressures must not exceed the rated design wind pressure capacities
• Building design engineers must verify that local wind loading conditions comply with door specifications
• Doors may be positioned at any location along building envelope, including building corners, provided design wind pressures are not exceeded
• Alternative design parameters and site-specific local pressure factors may be adopted if ultimate design wind pressures remain within rated limits

Structural Support Requirements

• The structure to which the door is attached must be independently assessed and certified by a suitably qualified structural engineer
• Maximum abutment catenary force: 18.5 kN per metre height of door (for Storm Shield variant up to 5.5 m span)
• All door components must be manufactured to standard B&D specifications
• Installation must follow standard B&D guidelines

Material Properties and Performance

The Windpanel sectional doors incorporate high-grade materials selected for wind load resistance:

• G2NS Steel Grade: Provides excellent formability and strength for the base panels
• G550 Steel Battens: Enhanced strength for load distribution across panel width
• 6005-T5 Aluminium Alloy: Lightweight bracing with superior strength-to-weight ratio
• Cold-Rolled Steel Hinges: Precise dimensional stability for smooth panel articulation
• Self-Tapping Fasteners: Efficient assembly with reduced fabrication costs and improved reliability

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References

• [11] ts917-part-b_test_summary_sheet_2025-1.pdf
• [7] ts1026-rev-a_summary_sheet-b_2025.pdf
• [3] storm-shield-sectional-garage-door-certification-drawing-2422-rev-f-1.pdf
• [5] roll-a-door-s1-region-c-want-section-40.pdf
• [1] industrial-roller-doors-section-40-260917.pdf