What counts as the window cill?

eveares · 17 Nov 2014

In one of the rooms we have, our building inspector wants us to put in a step below the window as he claims the window is to high of the floor.

I know the the cill has to be between 800-1100mm of the floor according to building regulations, but what counts as the cill; the window opening or the wooden cill where you can put objects on.

Regards: Elliott Veares

freddiemercurystwin · 17 Nov 2014

For a first floor window it’s 1100mm and it’s the bottom of the openable area. Not the timber window cill.

Diyisfun · 17 Nov 2014

I suppose the step is to aid fire escape.
Make a step that can be removed after approval.

xdave · 17 Nov 2014

If the room was to have furniture placed under the window that would effectively act as a step, for example a chair or a dressing table, would that be sufficient for the building regs or would you need to add a step and then cover it with the furniture?

If it isn't allowed (which I suspect it isn't as they could be removed) would fitted furniture make any difference? For example a kitchen worktop or a toilet?

cjard · 17 Nov 2014

Removable items would not count. You'd have to ask your BI whether he'd accept a kitchen cabinet. I doubt he'd accept a toilet

eveares · 17 Nov 2014

Makes sense that it is the opening of the window, but why do building regulations have to be so strict - all those old houses what don't comply!

freddiemercurystwin · 17 Nov 2014

Well sometimes they can twist the guidelines and often they do here and there, if they're sensible, generally if its all newly built there's little excuse though. That said when it comes to fire, in the unlikely event that some disaster strikes and it turned out that the occupant died whilst trying to escape and a blame game should ensue then Mr BCO (quite rightly) doesn't want to be in the firing line. That's why if you fit a step, and then remove it after sign off, the risk and blame falls squarely upon your shoulders and not his.

noseall · 18 Nov 2014

Remove a course of bricks and fit a deeper window.

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What counts as the window cill?

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