Window Security

[JulianRumball]

Hi all - buying a ground floor leasehold apartment in London - and trying to find out if the addition of internal window security requires either planning permission or building regulation permission. Would be thinking either a internal folding grille (the kind you can open/slide open) or more permanent set of bars....

 

[oldbutnotdead]

You might want to check the lease first to see if you are allowed to do stuff like that. Check the Planning Portal (Google it)- my suspicion is that for internal shutters or bars you wouldn't need planning but building regs would apply for maintaining means of escape from the rooms in case of fire

 

[liam86]

As above, it is a building regulations issue. In guidance document Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Volume 1 - Dwellinghouses 2013 pg 15 it states:
Provision for escape fro the ground storey
2.3 Except for kitchens, all habitable rooms in the ground storey should either:
a. open directly onto a hall leading to the entrance or other suitable exit; or
b. be provided with a window (or door) which complies with paragraph 2.8. (Emergency egress windows and external doors)
Note: See also General Provisions.
So, is likely to be ok if you comply with these. Main entrance doors are more tricky.