20/02/2006 Important Policy Change

On a number of occasions I have made comments in the FENSA News regarding the dimensions of window openings and our approach to the issue regarding the impact of changing framing materials, e.g. from metal to PVC-u. We have also covered this subject in some detail at our technical seminars.

We do, however, now have to change our approach on this issue since the ODPM will no longer accept the current situation. This means that matters cannot be made worse by either change of design or by change of material, even if the proportions of the window, (i.e. mullion to mullion centres) is maintained.
This will mean that you are required to maintain the fire egress opening in the new replacement window as existed within the window being removed. The only exception being where the original opening exceeded new-build regulations, in which case the opening can be reduced to match the new-build requirements. In the main, however, it will be a case of not making matters worse where you have an opening window which is considered to be an egress window, either in a habitable room at first floor level and above, or in an ?inner? room at ground floor level.

In many cases the need to re-design the window will depend upon the type of window being removed and the material being used for the replacement. You may, for example, have a timber window being replaced by a PVC-u window and the inclusion of fire egress hinges will ensure that there is no reduction in the opening size. However, changing from a metal window to a PVC-u frame window will result in the opening being reduced. This will require a re-design of the window for it to conform to the Building Regulations.

The ODPM and FENSA are not prepared to compromise on this approach. We have been instructed to ensure that our registered businesses follow these rules and therefore all future inspection of installations will be on this basis. Obviously you need to have time to ensure you comply with the Building Regulations, however, I can only give you 2 weeks from the date of posting of this letter to notify your sales? teams so that any contracts signed after 9th March need to conform to the requirements set out above.

Yours faithfullyGraham Hinett
CEO FENSA Limited