For the detailed guidance regarding the Building Regulations which are applicable to windows please refer to BUilding Regulations menu option and select the relevant regional link.
Fire Safety
Windows may need to provide alternative means of escape from buildings and may need to be fire rated if they are near a property boundary or on an escape route.
Acoustic Performance – Sound Attenuation
Windows may be required to provide a specified level of sound attenuation.
Ventilation
To maintain indoor air quality windows may need to provide “purge” ventilation and are often required to accommodate background (trickle) ventilators as part of the specified ventilation system for a building.
Provisions to enable use by all people
To allow a window to be operated by all people within a building there may need to be consideration given to the type of openers and controls to ensure they are accessible and simple to use.
Conservation of Energy
As windows form part of the external facade of a building they contribute to the energy efficiency of the building and so there are limits on the thermal performance of a window.
Safety of glazing
When people are likely to come into contact with glazing it will need to be protected by a barrier or be robust so as not to break or, if it breaks, it should break safely.
Where low level glazing is at a change of level it may be required to act as a safety barrier.
Safety in the use of windows
Consideration will need to be given to the safe operation of windows, i.e. they should not open on to walkways, and to safe methods for cleaning windows.
