New windows and emergency exit regs - Window Fitters advice needed urgently!

babyangel10

Hi

I am soon to be having replacement UPVC windows and brand new windows installed (existing house and new extension) and have been told that the first floor windows need to be fire escape-able (new word alert! ), thus meaning that when you open them they open fully.

My existing first floor windows (house is 9 years old) have safety catches on and only open about 7cm then you have to push a button for them to open fully. (which is only really operable by an adult or older child)

Does anyone know if I have been told correctly and if so, do ALL upstairs windows have to have this type of opening?

Again, if so, can you buy anything to make sure the windows only open so far when required?

I am very concerned as my DD5 will now have access to windows that she will easily be able to climb up to and tumble out of whereas the existing ones are far too narrow for her to get through when open on the catch. I never open them fully at present because my stupid cats try to jump out too! :rolleyes:

My daughter is pretty sensible and the chances of her climbing up are very slim, but she is only 5 and whilst there is that slim chance then you hopefully can understand my concerns.

I fully understand the fire escape theory but at the end of the day if there was a fire you could still open them fully like I would be able to now by pressing the aforementioned button - or you would smash the bl00dy glass of course!

Any advice welcomed on this

alanobrien

Just had some fitted myself recently. You have been told correctly they do have to open 90 degrees to comply with the building regs. That does not stop you fitting limiters if you wish. Mine can be "locked open" for ventilation.
Just as well i have 2 boys under 7 that would be leaping out of them otherwise !

babyangel10

Thanks for that, Alan - it does seem silly that you are able to buy limiters but you can't get them already fitted on the windows when they are installed though

Bloomin rules and regs!

Thanks again though - any other info or advice welcomed too

cheekymole

Yes I had to have at least one upstairs that was escapeable!

BritBrat

Bloomin rules and regs!

You would not say that if you had a fire and could not escape.

davetrousers

My parents have just had new windows fitted. Not every window has to be fire escapable, as in the big bedroom, each window unit has one big one that is and one very small one which obviously isn't.

alanobrien

BritBrat wrote: »

You would not say that if you had a fire and could not escape.

I think under that circumstance a heavy object thrown with force at the window would resolve the problem. Its glass after all.

callow

When my children were young, I used to lock the window. I then used blu-tack and attached the key to the top of the window sill.

That way the kids were save and I always had a key for emergency. I also always told babysitters or visitors to the house were the key was. You will probably find that the keys will fit all new windows in the house.

I have just had a few new windows put in and had to have a bottom opening for fire regulations. I was told that as the windows they were replacing only had one opening that I was able to have one. If the original sash windows had still been in place I would had to have had a top and bottom opening window (obviously at more expense) as the sash opened at the top and bottom. The regulations are changing all the time.

Mr_Proctalgia

When my new windows were fitted last year it was explained to me that one window front and back upstairs had to be "MOE" (Means of Escape) neither of these windows opens any more or less than the others but they are not fitted with key locks and the "lock buttons" are green to differentiate them.

HTH

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

alanobrien wrote: »

I think under that circumstance a heavy object thrown with force at the window would resolve the problem. Its glass after all.

Because most windows these days are SEALED UNITS with 2 panes of glass they are surprisingly hard to break :eek:


Used to be a burglar

babyangel10

BritBrat wrote: »

You would not say that if you had a fire and could not escape.

Quite agree, but my point is that the windows I have NOW have limiters on which were fitted as standard when the house was built only 9 years ago, and should there ever be a fire (God forbid) then I STILL would be able to get out by pressing the button and opening them fully.

I would rather have limiters on, because IMO there is more chance of my 5 year old falling out of a window that is capable of opening fully 100% of the time, and in my opinion dangerous, than there being a fire in my house and me NOT being able to press a button/flick a lever to open said window all the way.

I NEVER lock my upstairs windows at present in case of a fire, and also because the limiters not only prevent my child falling out, but also prevent burglars getting in! So the only way I would be stuck in a fire would be if the limiter jammed or something. In which case as weird as it sounds, I have a hammer in all my upstairs bedrooms anyway so believe me, I'd get out of a locked window if I had to! (Overly safety and fire conscious, me - I also have a smoke alarm in EVERY room in the house!)

The hammers have nothing to do with bashing burglars brains in, honestly!


Oh, and thanks for all the replies too