Double glazing - is toughened glass a requirement?

elsien

I'm having some windows replaced and the chap who came out today said I'd need toughened glass in the upstairs windows as the sills are quite low. The only other company I've had out so far didn't mention this.
It's not toughened glass at the moment obviously as the windows are quite old. I can see why it's being suggested, although I haven't fallen through the windows as yet and am not planning to do so.
So it is good practice, or is it actually a requirement?

Plus he also said something about needing one that opens properly as a fire escape - at the moment I have sash windows at the front and casement at the back, and it's changing one of the casements he's talking about. Again, good practice, a requirement, or BullS*** - we're talking first floor here, not the top of the house.

Thanks

leveller2911

If the "site line" is below 800 mm from the finished floor level then toughend glass is a must to comply with regulations.The site line is the minimun height where you can see through the glass.You would also need toughend glass if the window(site line) is within 300mm of a door.

Regarding size of windows for escape purpose depends on whether or not its possible to make the clear opening of 475mm width (haven't got my Building regs book so need to check).I have had many discussions with building control and on all new builds (including extensions) escape window widths are part of the regs but when replacing the existing windows i'm not sure there is a rule, for instance if you only have an existing window of 450mm overall width then theres no way you can make the clear opening width of 475mm .. Building inspectors tend to use common sense on replacement windows.

http://www.thewindowman.co.uk/safety-glass.htm

I'm not promoting the link but scroll down and you can see the" critical areas"

Tr1pp

depends on the type of window, when I looked into it you needed to have toughened glass if the window started at or was close to floor level where i could get kicked, If it was a normal window then it doesnt.

I dont know how low a window needs to go though to require toughened glass though.

Hope you understood that

elsien

It was the 800mm thing he was going on about.
The window sill height is about 650 mm from the floor, which isn't that kickable, I wouldn't have thought? And it's nearly a metre from the nearest door.

At the moment all the windows on the back of the house only have the small top opening bit which isn't climb-outable of. Would you recommend I put a side opening on one to be on the safe side? I was planning to leave them as they were, originally, so they all match aesthetically.

leveller2911

elsien wrote: »

It was the 800mm thing he was going on about.
The window sill height is about 650 mm from the floor, which isn't that kickable, I wouldn't have thought? And it's nearly a metre from the nearest door.

Its not really anything to do with being "kickable" .The idea is to protect small children (toddlers) from running into the window,breaking the glass, more than likely ending in injury and possibly a fatality.

In my opinion its a great idea....and it works well..

Believe it or not Toughend units are not that much more expensive than float units....

If its possible to make the side hung casements opening then you should.It shouldnt cost much more as its only a pair of hinges,fastener and stay-bar (on timber windows) roughly about another £50 per opener.

Tr1pp

leveller2911 wrote: »

Its not really anything to do with being "kickable" .The idea is to protect small children (toddlers) from running into the window,breaking the glass, more than likely ending in injury and possibly a fatality.

Splitting hairs arent we...

leveller2911

Tr1pp wrote: »

Splitting hairs arent we...

How am I splitting hairs? I was replying to Elsiens post not yours so try reading elsiens post #4

I was stating the fact that the Regulation wasn't implemented in case of people kicking the glass it was to do with safety in general and in particular children.

iamcornholio

It does not have to be toughened, but it must be safety glass ..... toughened, laminated or wired

Despite not having any immediate plans to fall through the glass, you will be very glad indeed if those plans change in the future and you have safety glass

It seems that that chap knows his stuff, and the other company does not

Tr1pp

leveller2911 wrote: »

How am I splitting hairs? I was replying to Elsiens post not yours so try reading elsiens post #4

whether you replied to my post or his I can still comment about your post and its still being pedantic comment.

ic

Not sure why you're classing his post as pedantic - you asked about this and people have responded. The rules are designed to cover the situation where somebody could fall against the window. If the window edge is high, even though there may no longer be glass, the wall will prevent you from falling out, just like a wall or rail around an open balcony. If it is low, then you could go over and out. Also being lower to the ground makes it more prone to accidental damage due to things being knocked against the glass. Such damage is far more likely to come from kids.

There are similar rules that apply to doors with glass in them, as these are areas where you're carrying things in and out and there is a high risk that the glass could be accidentally broken.

docmatt

Tr1pp wrote: »

Splitting hairs arent we...

I think you getting the wrong end of the stick mate, leveller is right in what he is saying.

It has nothing to do with being 'kickable', it's the height off the floor as well as other common sense factors. For instance a window right next to a bath or shower tray should be safety glass just in case anyone ever slipped, even if it was over a metre off the floor.

A common sense window quoter will specify safety in kids rooms where bunk beds are in the corners of bedrooms as kids tend to launch themselves off the top deck!



As toughened glass is cheaper than Georgian wired or Laminated the word 'safety glass' is usually defaulted to 'toughened glass' as it's more widely used.