H&S in todays standards

[GeorgePorgie]

its very high in different fields particulary in buildings and homes,so with the double glazing for keeping in the warmth,what safty is there for fire in respect to the window frames? as far as I can see there is none as most casements are of the top opening and none in the bottom opening.
Ok there are a few that open at the bottom but these are individual design,take my windows for example,down stairs are all opening at the top and are no good for escapement unless I smash the glass out,the bedroom windows open at the bottom but you have to faff about with two latche on the sides to open them fully,well they don't open fully...halfway to be exact....all this is to do with H&S so take into consideration that the Victoians didn't have any H&S in the 1900's the sash windows where the best in terms of Fire breakout in the home,you just lifted them up at the bottom and clambred out the window to safety.

Todays H&S pffffft! :PDT_Xtremez_12:

[Oudeis]

Today there are far far fewer naked flames in the home, fewer people to each room too and less inflammable house-hold goods. We all have smoke detectors, many have CO detectors too. Not to mention that fire engines can get to you far quicker these days also.
Yes! If you feel the day might come when you must escape through your double-glazed units then keep a hammer close by. The appropriate hammer types will be on sale at your local DIY shop. :)
[I have sash windows and I like sash windows BUT the draught!!!]

[wsteve55]

Double glazing fitters are,as far as I know,expected (?) to fit at least one "escapable" window,as in one that opens fully,immediately,when glazing a whole property!

[lindylou]

Double glazing fitters are,as far as I know,expected (?) to fit at least one "escapable" window,as in one that opens fully,immediately,when glazing a whole property!

Yes, you have to have at least one escape window. Ours is in the back bedroom, the window opens right out.

[az_gila]

Yes, you have to have at least one escape window. Ours is in the back bedroom, the window opens right out.

One per house, or one per room?

In the US the codes basically require one escape window per sleeping room

Minimum area 5 sq ft on ground floor, 24 inches high min., 20 inches wide min., and the sill to be no higher that 44 inches over the floor.

When we lived in Los Angeles, many people perished in fires because of having barred windows and not meeting the above code. Bars are OK, but they must have a release from inside. Sadly, many folks went cheaper and just fastened the bars to the exterior wall.

[wsteve55]

One per house, or one per room?

In the US the codes basically require one escape window per sleeping room

Minimum area 5 sq ft on ground floor, 24 inches high min., 20 inches wide min., and the sill to be no higher that 44 inches over the floor.

When we lived in Los Angeles, many people perished in fires because of having barred windows and not meeting the above code. Bars are OK, but they must have a release from inside. Sadly, many folks went cheaper and just fastened the bars to the exterior wall.

Not sure,but I think it's governed by floors,1st,2nd,etc?

[Johnny Robbo]

One per house, or one per room?


The UK Building Regulations, Doc L, requirement B1 - meeans of escape in fire, states:

"All windows to habitable rooms (but not kitchens, utility rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, wc's or shower rooms) at floors above ground level are required to be suitable for escape in fire. In addition, rooms at ground floor level whose only escape route is via another room must be provided with suitable escape windows.

A suitable escape window is a window whose unobstructed openable area is at least 0.33m2 and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide. The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor. Any key required to open the window should be readily available."

So, ALL bedrooms above ground level should each have a suitable escape window, as should some ground level rooms. Walk down any street and you will usually see houses with replacement window frames that do not meet this requirement. It seems many houseowners are prepared to ignore the risk to the occupants.

[wsteve55]

The UK Building Regulations, Doc L, requirement B1 - meeans of escape in fire, states:

"All windows to habitable rooms (but not kitchens, utility rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, wc's or shower rooms) at floors above ground level are required to be suitable for escape in fire. In addition, rooms at ground floor level whose only escape route is via another room must be provided with suitable escape windows.

A suitable escape window is a window whose unobstructed openable area is at least 0.33m2 and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide. The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor. Any key required to open the window should be readily available."

So, ALL bedrooms above ground level should each have a suitable escape window, as should some ground level rooms. Walk down any street and you will usually see houses with replacement window frames that do not meet this requirement. It seems many houseowners are prepared to ignore the risk to the occupants.

But I think many window fitters fail to bear this in mind,for whatever reasons,but probably something to do with cost/convenience!? Out of curiosity,I asked a couple of people if they knew where it was,or even had, an escape window,and 2 out of 4 said no!(1 wasn't sure?)

[GeorgePorgie]

Rather takes the pi$$ out of the fensa certificate really doesn't it? Imean you are not allowed to install your own DG unless you can provide a cetificate.

Councilhave been installing DG around this neck of the woods some months ago and the down stairs on all of em have no escape windows,thing is they contracted in a DG firm who then contracted in dubious so called window installers ie cowboys,whilst the DG firm continued to use their own staff on their regular install work.

---------- Post added at 12:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------


Walk down any street and you will usually see houses with replacement window frames that do not meet this requirement. It seems many houseowners are prepared to ignore the risk to the occupants.

Not entirely tue,JR...you have cowboy fittes that install the windows and the owners don't have a clue about the regulations,so some of those houses are probably unaware of this.

---------- Post added at 12:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 AM ----------

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