BUILDING REGULATIONS
Our inspector / assessors are instructed to inspect installations based on current building regulations pertaining to Fenestration installation.
Windows and doors installed in domestic dwellings are covered by these regulations and the installation entity is duty bound to ensure that each installation is registered with LABC Local Authority Building Control.
The majority of installation companies are members of a Competent Persons scheme such as FENSA, CERTAS, ASSURE etc.
To be a member of these schemes the entity needs to prove it’s competence by undergoing a vetting process, an operative competency review and registering each installation with their respective scheme. In due course each of the schemes notify LABC of each of their members installations.
Alternatively an installer can register individual it’s installation with LABC in a similar way to registering a building notice.
Fundamentally the building regulations for window and door installation works on a ‘make no worse than’ theme with the entity documenting the original windows and doors [usually by means of photographs] so that in the event of a non conformance [an entity being challenged that the new installation does not meet current building regulations] there is evidence of its original state.
Our inspectors need to be assured that the component / components being assessed meets the building regulations and will be asking you to describe what the original component resembled.
The building regulations themselves are huge documents and we use a simplified version to lead us to the specifics that we are looking for. We called these Approved Documents.
The following building regulations pertain to Fenestration Installation:
A Pertains to Structural Integrity – We look at how an aperture is supported IE Lintels or how a Bay Window supports the structure above it
B1 Pertains to means of egress – We look at the room to decide if it needs to provide a means of egress in case of fire. We then drill down to detail of the sash opening in relation to it’s size, position and how wide it opens as well as the openable area
C Pertains to Moisture Ingress – For this we look at Damp proof courses, damp proof membranes, frame positioning, cill overhang and perimeter seal robustness
E Pertains to passage of sound – For this we ensure that the installation meets the minimum level for the passage of airborne noise
F Pertains to Ventilation – For this we look at two different types of ventilation, Background and Rapid. We look at minimum ventilation requirements based on room size, window type. We look at trickle ventilation in particular whether trickle ventilators were part of the Fenestration it replaces
J Pertains to Combustion – For this we mainly consider Gas Vents, boiler flues etc
K Pertains to protection from Impact and Falling – This regulation is often referred to as Super K as it recently incorporated Approved Document N – Safety Glazing. For this we look at Glazing in critical locations and look to ensure that the relevant IGUs have safety identifiers [Sandblasted / Etched into the IGU]
L1B Pertains to the Conservation of Fuel and Power – For this we look to ensure that the installation conforms with the current regulation [C rated Window or higher]
M Pertains to the means of access for Disabled – For this we look to ensure that thresholds have been designed to be as low as possible. There is often a compromise between keeping the threshold low whilst ensuring water tightness. We will be interested in understanding details of the original door threshold prior to replacement.
N This regulation only relates to properties in Wales. In essence it is the Safety Glazing element of Approved Document K
Q Pertains to Security [unauthorised access]. A relatively new regulation relating to particular properties in particular new build properties.
Our Assessor will discuss this should they feel it pertains to your installation.