Is there a difference between a fire escape window and a window with a large opening?
- Thread starter Ian H
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There are specific dimensions:
Fire escape windows must provide an unobstructed opening of at least 0.33m² with aminimum dimension of 450mm in height or width. The lowest part of the windowshould also be 800-1100mm from the floor.
The minimum 450mm size means clear opening, so if you opened the sash and measured the gap between frame and sash that got to be at least as big as 450mm.
Fire escape windows must provide an unobstructed opening of at least 0.33m² with aminimum dimension of 450mm in height or width. The lowest part of the windowshould also be 800-1100mm from the floor.
The minimum 450mm size means clear opening, so if you opened the sash and measured the gap between frame and sash that got to be at least as big as 450mm.
There must also be a route that a person climbing out of the window can use to reach safety. That "route" can be a ladder put in place for the event. If the location of the window prevents a route being available then it probably will not be accepted as a fire escape window.
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I have just had some old double glazed windows replaced by a very very well know double glazing company and the openings are no wider than the old ones and one of the windows is difficult to get out of because of what is outside and I would think that older people, including me, would have great difficulty climbing on to the inner sill to access the window. BUT the new windows do have stickers on them saying "FIRE ESCAPE." And yes I did get the FENSA certification although nobody came to inspect the windows other than the two guys that installed them.
It looks a tad narrow to me, if the bricks are metric it makes the window about 1130mm wide which would probably make the clear opening a bit smaller then 450mm. It needs to be min of 450mm x 750mm or min of 0.33 metre squared and min 450mm in either height or width. If you can get the side hung sash to be that, then it will qualify. Otherwise you need slightly wider window, or set mullion to one side so you have equal sight lines rather than mullion central in frame.
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@pete50 the reason the openings are no bigger is because there is a ' get out ' clause in the regs that states you can replace like for like providing you don't make the situation any worse than what is being removed . So if what was taken out has exactly the same dimensions as what has been put back then they are fine. They have probably put Fire Escape hinges in, or even ' easy clean ' hinges that will allow the window to open 85-90 degrees. Fensa / Certass don't inspect every installation, only a percentage, the rest are ' assumed ' to conform through the competent persons scheme rules
And for a window to be used as a fire escape it can't be more that 4.5m from the ground
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So basically what you are saying is that the regulations are an arse and not worth the paper they are written. I don't why I asked that question to be honest I already knew that most of the regulations foisted on to home owners are in the arse category.
Check out this thread from a couple of weeks ago where i asked a similar question......
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/windows-means-of-escape.491993/
The regs are an ass and this comes from someone who worked for Certass
https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/windows-means-of-escape.491993/
The regs are an ass and this comes from someone who worked for Certass
Why are the regs in respect of replacement windows with respect to escape windows an ass?
As time goes on regs will change that's inevitable but when an opportunity arises where the latest regs can be applied then they should be, I think it' a massive cop out to say 'When replacing any window, the opening should be sized to provide at least the same potential for escape as the window it replaces', IMO if an opportunity exists to make it better then it should be forced upon the homeowner
That’s absurd, so a homeowner should be forced to fit bigger opening lights and end up with maybe completely unmatching or lopsided windows? Or how does that work for listed buildings where the windows are part of the listing? The regs as they stand are perfectly valid and sensible. If a homeowner wants an escape window he needs to ask for one.
It’s not a cop out it’s to protect our local architecture and environment (such that it is).
It’s not a cop out it’s to protect our local architecture and environment (such that it is).
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Listed properties aren't covered by building regs... the listing people overrule everything, hence you still get single gazing in a lot of listed properties and you have to abide by the materials and style they tell you.
The issue with this stupid ( in my opinion ) rule about replacing ' like for like ' and ' not making the situation any worse ' is that you can put a upvc window with just a 400mm drop fanlight back in a bedroom , if thats what you took out. How is that right ?? How can , potentially , someones safety be more important? Where is the ' duty of care ' aspect? Given the option , I always offer the customer the choice of changing styles to Fire Escape, whether replacing wood, ali or Pvc ... to me its all about ' Duty of care '
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