Building Regulations
Another Technical bit
All windows & doors must comply with Part “L” in England and Wales and Part “J” in Scotland, a condition of compliance is that all glass must comply with Part “N” Glazing Safety, all our glass, no matter how small, is toughened safety glass.
There is an assessment based on U Values
The Measure by which insulation performance of any building material is assessed. u-values for the whole window or door will be used, to comply with the new regulations, a u-value of 2.0W/m2 K or less must be achieved (10% less than this for Scotland), in brief, u-values are a determination of the window or doors ability to retain heat and therefore reduce carbon emissions.
All customers must be aware that a notification of every installation, even a single replacement Window, now has to go to Local Authority Building Control.
Compliance is Mandatory
Compliance is mandatory for all replacement windows, regardless of material type, although there are limited exemptions for buildings such as listed buildings, all customers must be aware that compliance is mandatory on all windows, whether a single window replacement or a full and thorough refurbishment.
Know your Window(s) Comply
All our windows and doors have “Tri-seal Super Spacer” cavity spacer, Argon filled double glazing, low “E” glass and also all glass is toughened as standard.
We allow for you the customer to choose and make sure should you require locking handles that you are aware of the regulations, there are restrictions on locking handles and there is a requirement to provide an emergency exit from all buildings as shown below.
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 to the above, 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 defined as a window whose unobstructed opening area is at least 0.33m2 and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide, a 450mm wide opening will need to be 735mm high.
The bottom of the opening area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor and any key required to open the window should be readily available.
F1-means of ventilation
See the table below for current requirements.
If your original windows have trickle ventilators any replacement frames should also be provided with such.
The area of opening windows should not be less than that which was originally provided.
As and alternative approach to the ventilation provisions listed in the table below, the overall provisions for background ventilations for the dwelling should be equivalent to an average of 6000mm2 per room for the rooms listed, with a minimum provision of 4000mm2 in each room.
| Room | Rapid ventilation | Background ventilation |
| Habitable room | 1/20th of the floor area of the room served | 8000mm2 |
| Kitchen and utility | Opening window (No minimum size) | 4000mm2 |
| Bathroom/Shower rooms | Opening window (No minimum size) | 4000mm2 |
| Sanitary accommodation | 1/20th of the floor area of the room served | 4000mm2 |
K2 - protection for falling
Where a first floor window cill height is less than 800 mm above the floor level suitable guarding should be provided to prevent a person falling through an open window.
This requirement may conflict with Regulation B1 and provision of escape windows.
One way of achieving the requirement may be to provide a restricted opening device that can be easily overridden in the event of an emergency.
L1- conservation of fuel and power
All UPVC and wood replacement windows should attain a U value of 2.0W/m2K, 10% less in Scotland.
One way of achieving this requirement is by providing a UPVC or timber double glazed window system incorporating a minimum 16m air gap between panes and an approved low emissivity coating such as low “E” glass, if another system is used, substantiation may be required to prove that a U value of 2.0W/m2 is attained.
M2 - access and facilities for disabled people
Where the property was subject to the Disabled Regulations, any new principal entrance door should have a minimum 775mm clear opening with a low threshold.
N1- glazing protection against impact
Glazing should either:
- Break safely as defined in BS 6206:1981 Specification for impact performance requirements for flat safety glass and safety plastics for use in buildings, clause 5.3
- Be inherently robust, i.e. annealed glass, glass blocks, polycarbonate or glass that gains strength through thickness.
- Be in small panes (a maximum area of 0.5m2 with a maximum width of 250mm is acceptable). Annealed glass should be not less than 6mm thick, except where it is in traditional leaded- or copper- lights in which 4mm glass is considered acceptable when fire resistance is not a factor.
- Be permanently protected by a suitable screen which has a minimum height of 800mm and which incorporates a gap no greater than 75mm.
When you are considering fitting PVC FRench Doors or PVC Windows be sure to view our Tips for Measuring and our Tips for Installation.
View our Service & Standards on the Home Page, you will not be dissapointed.
Whether you are looking for PVC Casement Windows, PVC Tilt & Turn Windows, PVC Reversible Windows, PVC Slide & Sash Windows or PVC French Doors - we will be pleased to help. If you can't find what you are looking for, please get in touch with us.
