Window Safety, Fire & Escape

The safety of your children at home is of the utmost importance.

Window restrictors narrow the open width of the window through which children may fall.

The government has made it compulsory to have window restrictors fitted since 1^st July 2017.

Since 1^st July 2017, all rented properties must also be compliant with Housing Standards for Rented Houses, which include installation of restrictors.

Government Building Standards require restrictors to be installed in all properties and including rental properties from 1^st July 2017.

Prevention of falls from windows 2.7

• In dwellings where a window has an opening section through which a person may fall, (having particular regard to children under five years old) and is more than 1400 mm above external ground level, suitable safety restrictors should be provided.
• Safety restrictors should restrain the window sufficiently to prevent such falls. Restrictors can be either an integral part of the window operating gear or separate items of hardware which can be fitted to a window at the time of manufacture or at installation. Restrictors should operate so that they limit the initial movement of an opening section to not more than 100 mm.
• Note: Lockable handles or restrictors, which can only be released by removable keys or other tools, should not be fitted to window opening sections required for escape purposes.
• As of 1^st July 2017, rental properties must be compliant with The Housing Standards for Rented Houses

You can access the relevant Government publications Here

FIRE & SAFETY

The government require regulatory standards to be met to minimize risks associated with fire in the home.

1.3.7 Windows for escape or rescue

1.3.7.1 General Windows may provide an alternative means of escape or may be used for rescue purposes in dwelling houses of limited height. As a general provision, all bedrooms in dwelling houses, other than bedrooms with doors that give direct access to the outside should have at least one window which complies with the provisions herein. As an alternative, a door which gives direct access to a balcony which is suitable for rescue by ladder or for escape may be used. Where provision is made in this subsection for windows for these purposes (see paragraph 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.4 and 1.3.5) such windows should comply with the following:

(a) The window should have an openable section which provides an unobstructed clear open area of at least 0.33 m2 . The height should be not less than 450 mm. The width should be not less than 450 mm. The opening section should be capable of remaining in the position which provides this minimum clear open area.

(b) The bottom of the window opening should be not more than 1100 mm and in the case of a rooflight not less than 600 mm above the floor, immediately inside or beneath the window or rooflight.

(c) As an exception to the general guidance in TGD K that guarding be provided for any window, the cill of which is less than 800 mm in height above floor level, (where the external ground level is below 1.4 m below floor level), guarding should not be provided to a rooflight opening provided in compliance with this paragraph.

(d) In the case of a dormer window or rooflight, the distance from the eaves to the bottom of the opening section of the rooflight, or, where the window is vertical, the vertical plane of the window, should not exceed 1.7 m measured along the slope of the roof.

(e) The area beneath the window externally should be such as to make escape or rescue practicable. For example; (i) where there is a clear drop from a window in an upper storey or attic conversion, the ground beneath the window should be suitable for supporting a ladder safely and be accessible for rescue by the fire services or others. (ii) Where there is a roof, conservatory, balcony or canopy below a window for escape or rescue, it should be structurally adequate to support those using the window.

(f) The opening section of the window should be secured by means of fastenings which are readily openable from the inside. In certain circumstances safety restrictors may be fitted to such windows see TGD K Section 2.7. Lockable handles or restrictors, which can only be released by removable keys or other tools, should not be fitted to window opening sections for escape or rescue. 1.3.7.2.

Replacement Windows

Where windows are being replaced in existing dwelling houses, bedroom windows should meet, in as far as is practicable, the provisions outlined at 1.3.7.1 (a) to (e) above.

You can access the relevant Government publication Here