Building Regs | Building Regulations | Composite Doors Cardiff

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Building Regulations Summarised

Glazing Safety

Toughened or laminated glass is required in critical locations which are subject to accidental human impact. As a minimum:

Glazing at low levels: if the bottom of the glazing is within 800mm of the floor level.

Glazing in doors: any glass in doors that starts lower than 1500mm from the floor.

Glazing adjacent to doors: windows/side panels starting within 300mm of the edge of a door and also starting within 1500mm from the floor.

Fire Escape

Regulations state that fire escape windows must be fitted if they are on the ground floor in any habitable room which does not open into a hall that leads directly to an exit door (note: kitchens and bathrooms are not considered habitable rooms).

On upper floors, all rooms must be fitted with fire escape windows if they are not more than 4500mm above ground level (unless the room has direct access to a protected stairway). This is usually the case for the upstairs of a conventional two-storey dwelling.

A fire escape window should open without obstruction to at least 0.33m² and at least 450mm high or 450mm wide. If one of the dimensions is at the 450mm minimum then the other dimension will need to be at least 734mm to achieve 0.33m². The route through the window may be at an angle rather than straight through. The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor.

Windows fitted with our Fire Escape and Easy Clean hinges comply with the above regulations as long as the openings are sufficient; we recommend 600mm pane width.

Condensation and how it affects your Home?

Condensation is the build up of excess moisture. When warm air comes into contact with a cold surface, it precipitates and this deposits as droplets of water. Generally, this happens more in winter when there’s a bigger temperature difference between inside and outside. When windows are less likely to be open in homes, this is the perfect condition for condensation to form.

With doors and windows retaining warm air better than ever, gases and humidity can build up causing condensation. People, pets, drying washing, cooking and showering are all moisture generators in our home which produce condensation on windows.

While condensation itself isn’t generally a problem, if it is not treated, it can cause damp patches to form where subsequently mould, spores and mildew can grow. This can lead to health issues with some people being sensitive to them, causing symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing and eye and skin irritation. As well as these health issues, it can also cause black mould which stains and damages walls and ceilings, as mould eats or digests whatever it is growing on. This could eventually cause structural damage to building materials.

This is why ventilation is so important as the circulation of fresh air prevents condensation from developing to create a healthier home.

Do I need to Install Ventilation in my Home?

With Building Regulations being legally enforceable, there are potential fines for not complying with them. As your window installer, we make a legal declaration that our installations meet Building Regulations through CERTASS, the Competent Person Scheme we work under however you, as the homeowner, are ultimately responsible.

WARNING

You may have issues selling your home if the work carried out is not compliant with the Building Regulations.

At the time of ordering new windows, you must choose the type of background ventilation you require and declare it to your window installer to record within the installation contract. If you are using window trickle vents, these will be specified and installed as part of your window installation contract.

If you are choosing passive walls vents, the installer may be able to carry out this work for you as part of the window replacement work to minimise disruption. Alternatively, you can choose another contractor to carry out this work. Some installers may carry out PIV or MHRV but generally this would be carried out by a separate contractor.

Where you choose passive wall vents, PIV or MHRV installation, then you must declare this to the installer in the window installation contract documentation and also endeavour to have the work carried out in a timely manner from when the window installation work takes place.

Do you lose heat through trickle vents?

A trickle vent is a device usually fitted at the top of a window that allows fresh air to circulate naturally through a room, and allows polluted air out. They are controllable, to give the option of having them open or closed. When used correctly, trickle vents do not contribute excessively to heat loss.