Loft conversion fire escape window?

[popster]

had loft of my bungelow coverted about 5 years ago but the builder screwed up the size of the fire escape window twice ie too small & too high - he went bust.

i need to get the conversion passed by BC - i know the dimensions (min 450mm & 0.33m2 area) & height above the floor etc but don't know what type/design of window i need.

i'm going to fit it myself to the gable wall but would like some info so that i appear to know what i'm talking about when i order as i don't see anything on any of the window suppliers sites.

cheers

 

[Notch7]

You wont know the size as that depends on the window design. The minimum dimensions are clear openings, so from edge of frame 1 side to the edge of the opened sash on the other.

I would therefore ask the supplier what size you need.

Assuming upvc:

1. Say height includes cill
2. Colour: for eg white in and out
3. Obviously fire egress hinges and escape handle
4. Specify whether toughened or annealed glass
5. Glass spec, soft coat low e, warm edge spacer, argon gas fill (or whatever you want)
5. Cill projection size
6. Supply drawing and show handing of sash (external view, use point to hinge schematic).

 

[^woody^]

Simply tell the supplier that it needs to be an escape window, so you want a suitable opening and escape hinges.

There is no specific design, it can just match the other frames.

 

[SFK]

Popster,
This company has a tick box for ensuring window openings are either Standard or Fire Spec (ie open wider).
www.modernupvcwindows.co.uk
SFK

 

[popster]

thanks for your replies - i contacted BC & they said size was ok - they also said that "the floor height to window" (over by about 14cm) could be corrected by adding a permanent step - however there's a small rad below the window so i doubt if they'll let me put the step in front of it - will contact them tomorrow.

 

[^woody^]

thanks for your replies - i contacted BC & they said size was ok - they also said that "the floor height to window" (over by about 14cm) could be corrected by adding a permanent step - however there's a small rad below the window so i doubt if they'll let me put the step in front of it - will contact them tomorrow.

You can put a step in front of the radiator that won't be the issue.

What BC will be concerned about, is the likelihood of the step being removed after they have signed it off. Most people will deem a step in front of a radiator to be odd and inconvenient in general.

Rather, a step built up against the wall with skirting around it would be more likely to be seen as part of the structure and therefore won't be unscrewed as soon as the inspector gets in his car.

 

[popster]

You can put a step in front of the radiator that won't be the issue.

What BC will be concerned about, is the likelihood of the step being removed after they have signed it off. Most people will deem a step in front of a radiator to be odd and inconvenient in general.

Rather, a step built up against the wall with skirting around it would be more likely to be seen as part of the structure and therefore won't be unscrewed as soon as the inspector gets in his car.

thanks - i am worried about that as i'm going to sell but it's really a cheap/quick fix & your idea was great.

however i could either move the rad away from the window & fit the step flush or just get a new window - the width of the opening would be ok (i'm just going to "paint bricks" in the lentil lol - see other post) however i will need to remove 2 course of brick & cut block for the new window & to get the floor height.

expect it could end up a pricey job - to be honest i've never fitted a window to a modified space before.

suppose it's best i get a quote for a new window anyway & take it from there.

cheers

 

[popster]

Popster,
This company has a tick box for ensuring window openings are either Standard or Fire Spec (ie open wider).
www.modernupvcwindows.co.uk
SFK

thanks for that - just what i needed but unfortunately they don't deliver to n ireland.

 

[Doggit]

If the existing window is too small and too high up, why not enlarge the opening, and put the right sized one in.

 

[popster]

If the existing window is too small and too high up, why not enlarge the opening, and put the right sized one in.

thanks for your reply - as i mentioned with the present incorrectly sized window i can fit a step under the rad with no clearance to give a step to window height of 1.08m.
as "woody" said it may look a bit odd but in its favour it cost nothing to sort.

i got a quote today for £590 (new window) fitted so i'm tempted to try the step.

the window is 850mm wide so i assume the step must be that also however any idea the min depth i would have to make it?

 

[SFK]

Popster,
Suggest you ask your BC for his requirement on depth (or 'going') of step so you get it right for him to sign off.

But this article suggests minimum step going is 220mm (but that is for flight stairs so might not be relevant).
https://www.pearstairs.co.uk/staircase-buillding-regulations/

Sorry to ask, but is the bottom of your window really (110cm + 14cm = ) 124cm off the ground - that seems surprisingly high?
SFK