Replacement windows – do they need to be fire escape?

Replacement windows – do they need to be fire escape?

15:40 PM, 31st January 2015, About 9 years ago 16

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I have just bought my first property to rent. The first floor windows need replacing. The current windows have a top opener only and is about 20% of the total. I have heard that I may need to have bottom openers which allow fire escape?

Can I replace like for like or do I need the fire escape design? Replacement windows - do they need to be fire escape

Can the fire escape be the top half if I need to do this?

Any help/advice much appreciated

The property will be rented as a house not individual rooms and is ground and first floor only.

Thanks

Ian


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Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

15:42 PM, 31st January 2015, About 9 years ago

Hi Ian

Given that it's a flat, is it not the freeholders responsibility to replace the windows?
.

7:59 AM, 1st February 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "31/01/2015 - 15:42":

Hi Mark,
It is a traditional terraced house andit is the upstairs windows i was looking to replace.
Ian

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

10:57 AM, 1st February 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Iggy D" at "01/02/2015 - 07:59":

Sorry, I thought I'd read that it was a flat. Clearly I'd imagined that part.

I don't know the answer to your question but I will be interested to find out. This thread will be promoted in our Newsletter tomorrow so more people will see it and one or two will hopefully have the answer.
.

ian

11:03 AM, 1st February 2015, About 9 years ago

Can you not just phone a local FENSA certified window company?

simon stevenson

12:00 PM, 2nd February 2015, About 9 years ago

Refer to the building regulations for guidance, several of the regs apply to windows Part L, Part K, Part F, part M and Part B. Part B Fire safety is were you will need to look to find the answer to your current question. http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_B1_2013.pdf

Joe Bloggs

12:13 PM, 2nd February 2015, About 9 years ago

they need emergency fire escape openers. you will find the requirements in building regs approved document B page 15 onwards: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_B1_2013.pdf

David Sanderson

12:48 PM, 2nd February 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "31/01/2015 - 15:42":

Best to follow Building Regulations Part B
Upstairs bedroom windows require escape opener to be maximum 1100 mm above floor level, with minimum 450 x 450mm clear opening - should not add anything to the final cost. (No requirement for any other rooms to have escape windows). However each scenario / layout need assessing.
FENSA in my experience falls short of this and I have seen replacement windows "like for like" which put occupants at a higher level of risk.

Mrs Kennedy

13:47 PM, 2nd February 2015, About 9 years ago

My criteria - would I want my daughter to be in this flat if there was a fire?

Doug Green

15:03 PM, 2nd February 2015, About 9 years ago

I understand another factor governing the requirement for escape windows is the existence of a protected fire escape route through the building. For example in a three storey terrace, three flats, the stairwell, if fireproofed and unobstructed, with a lock on the final exit openable without a key.

This will of course be in the Build. Regs. Parts mentioned earlier.

Regards - Doug

Joe Bloggs

15:06 PM, 2nd February 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Doug Green" at "02/02/2015 - 15:03":

none of those requirements have anything to with the requirement for emergency egress windows.

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