Fire Safety Windows (Escapable)

jbf1941

My house was built new and completed Sept.2000. None of the First floor windows comply with minimum size rules for escape in event of fire.
The existing windows are double glazed in UPVC frames. One bedroom has a roof outside which you could easily stand on to await rescue (only slightly sloped) but the opening window is too small to get out of!
Do I have a case against the Builder, as I want to replace with a window which is big enough to exit in case of fire??

southcoastrgi

do your windows have fire escape hinges ?
they basically have buttons/ catches on them that allow the windows to be pushed across towards the edge of the windows, good for cleaning the outside pane as well, open the window look at the hinge at the bottom & see if there is anything to push then try moving the whole window, if the bottom moves then of course you will have to do the same with the top hinge

docmatt

jbf1941 wrote: »

Do I have a case against the Builder, as I want to replace with a window which is big enough to exit in case of fire??

Not after 12 years mate

jkpd

Not builders problem,all are work has to be passed by building control,have your windows been replaced? did you buy the house new?if the windows have been replaced the installer would have to be FENSA registered or put a building notice in to BC, no builder would build a new house without complying to fire regs. Ring BC at your local council they will investigate,was the house built with a 10year warrantry nhbc/zuric/labc etc, either way somebody has a case to answer if BCs mistake (very unlikely) they will sort it ,good luck.

docmatt

It won't matter if it's FENSA, BC, NHBC, FBI or blimmin' RSPCA it's 12 years ago, lol

More chance of platting fog.

jkpd

yes it does matter If it was passed by BC/Nhbc etc they have a case to answer fire escapes are a legal requirement

phill99

You appear to be referring to 'Means of Escape from a Dwelling House'. You need to look at part B of the Building Regulations 2006. As it is a 2006 regulation, it wont apply to a house built in 2000.

It would be up to you to put an escape window in.

Grovey1

jkpd wrote: »

Not builders problem,all are work has to be passed by building control,have your windows been replaced? did you buy the house new?if the windows have been replaced the installer would have to be FENSA registered or put a building notice in to BC, no builder would build a new house without complying to fire regs. Ring BC at your local council they will investigate,was the house built with a 10year warrantry nhbc/zuric/labc etc, either way somebody has a case to answer if BCs mistake (very unlikely) they will sort it ,good luck.

Does not have to be fensa registered as you can get certificate of local council through the planning dept.

Grovey1

jbf1941 wrote: »

My house was built new and completed Sept.2000. None of the First floor windows comply with minimum size rules for escape in event of fire.
The existing windows are double glazed in UPVC frames. One bedroom has a roof outside which you could easily stand on to await rescue (only slightly sloped) but the opening window is too small to get out of!
Do I have a case against the Builder, as I want to replace with a window which is big enough to exit in case of fire??

Check with local council or building inspector find out who passed it off if it was new build then it should have been passed off you can always get the hinges changed to fire escape hinges should not be too much either but that also depends on the size of the opening window hope this helps.

phill99

GROVEY1 wrote: »

Does not have to be fensa registered as you can get certificate of local council through the planning dept.

No, its not the Planning Dept, its Building Control.

jkpd

I thought the regs were updated in 2006 and came in force 2000,if not earlier, you could be right! ring BC to check anyway. to install windows if your not FENSA you need building regs from BC not planning.