Building Regulations
What are Building Regulations?
Building regulations are standards that are in place by the Government to ensure that any building work is completed in a safe, efficient and healthy way. Since the 1st of April 2002 when replacing glazing you have to comply with Building Regulations. Other topics the regulations cover are things such as safety, air supply, means of escape and ventilation.
As a window or door is classified as a ‘controlled fitting’, therefore any standards set by Building Regulations relating to this classification will need to be met when a window and/or door is being installed.
This summary shows you the general standards to look out for and be aware of in terms of choosing windows and doors that comply with Building Regulations. We will update this summary accordingly with future updates.
Do you need to comply with Building Regulations?
YES you do! It is important for you to understand the regulations to ensure the highest standard of safety and health is considered for the people in and around any given building.
It is better to comply with the regulations from the start, then to do it wrong and potentially feel the full wrath of the Building Inspectors. We will always make sure we will never compromise on the Building Regulations criteria for our products and we trust you will once you fully understand what is at risk.
Who’s responsible for complying with Building Regulations?
The published documents openly state that it is the person carrying out the works e.g. the installer who’s responsible for ensuring that the project and building elements comply with the regulations. Tradespeople who are carrying out the works will be required to register with a Competent Persons Scheme, this is to prove their ability to carry out certain works to meet with the required standards. Once an installation is completed the installer will be required to provide proof of compliance in the form of appendices. This is why it is of high importance to choose a reputable fabricator. Ensure to choose one who understands the Building Regulations and who can provide you with the paperwork you need to prove this.
The following documents apply to the glazing industry.
Document F – Ventilation
Updates 2022
Windows being replaced that contain background ventilation must include at least the equivalent ventilation.
If the windows do not contain background ventilation, or the rate of ventilation is unknown, then the replacement windows must contain the following;
Habitable rooms and kitchens – min. 8000mm2 equivalent area (EQA) or 10,000mm2 equivalent area (EQA) in single story dwellings.
Bathrooms (with or without a toilet) – min. 4000mm2 equivalent area (EQA).
If the dwelling will have continuous mechanical extract ventilation, then a minimum of 4000mm2 EQA of background ventilation should be installed in each habitable room.
Document L1A – Conservation of Fuel and Power (New dwellings)
Updates 2022
A new home/ new dwelling is always built to a minimum standard of total energy performance.
Targeted specification value for windows and glazed doors with >60% glazed area:
1.2 U-value
Targeted specification value for semi-glazed door (30-60% glazed area):
1.0 U-value
Limiting standard for any windows and doors:
1.6 U-value
As per the limiting standard listed, windows and doors installed into a new dwelling are required to be of 1.6 U-value or less. If the U-value of the windows and glazed doors is between 1.3 – 1.5 (higher than the targeted specification value of 1.2), another element such as the external walls will need to achieve a better u-value than the target stated for that element for the dwelling to achieve its minimum standard of total energy performance.
The new regulations will not apply to work subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before the 15th June 2022 – provided the work commences on site before 15th June 2023.
Document L1B - Conservation of Fuel and Power (Existing dwellings)
Updates 2022
Replacement windows to be at least 1.4 U-value or Window Energy Rating B Replacement doors with >60% glazing to be at least 1.4 U-value or Doorset Energy Rating C All other replacement doors to be at least 1.4 U-value or Doorset Energy Rating B
New Document L1B Standards 2022
Document L1B Standards 2016
Replacement Windows
1.4 U-value Window Energy Rating B
1.6 U-value Window Energy Rating C
Replacement Doors with >60% Glazing
1.4 U-value Doorset Energy Rating C
1.8 U-value Doorset Energy Rating E
All other Replacement Doors
1.4 U-value Doorset Energy Rating B
1.4 U-value Doorset Energy Rating E
Document Q – Security
Document Q covers security in dwellings, which is the requirements of windows and doors that have been designed to resist physical attack. Windows and doors that fall into these requirements need to meet the security requirements of PAS 24:2016.
This includes the following:
Easily accessible (ground floor):
With a none locking handle: Fully PAS 24: 2016 with 6.8mm laminated glass.
With a key locking handle: PAS 24: 2016 with either standard or toughened glass (dependent on height from floor).
Easily accessible (first floor):
A window or doorset that is within 2m vertically of an accessible surface such as the ground, basement level or access balcony.
A window within 2m vertically of a flat sloping roof that is within 3.5m of ground level.
In other words if a person can access the window by means of say a shed, a garage, a porch, a balcony it is easily accessible. Non accessible first floor windows or any window 3.5 metres above ground level does not need to be PAS 24: 2016.
The current 2015 edition of Document Q only relates to new dwellings. However, if a property was built to conform with Document Q then the replacement glazing will need to also conform. The date of this update is TBC.
Document O – Overheating
New 2022
This is a new proposal which aims to alleviate the risks of overheating for new dwellings. The purpose of the new proposal is to reduce the unwanted solar heat in the summer and to provide an acceptable means to remove the excess heat.
The English proposal splits the country into two areas, Greater London and England. It also splits dwelling types into two different categories:
Group A – more than two fabric elements and openings on opposite facades to allow cross ventilation.
Group B – two or fewer fabric elements and opening on facades which are not opposite. The Welsh proposal also splits dwelling types into two similar group
Document B1 – Fire Safety
Current Regulations from 2019
When replacing a window or door the new opening should be sized correctly, in order to provide the same capability of escape. If the new opening is to be smaller than the original then it still must meet the minimum criteria as stated below:Width and Height – Either of these are not to be any less than 450mm
Width and Height – Either of these are not to be any less than 450mm
Clear Openable Area – No less than 0.33m²
Cill height – The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1100mm above the floor area.
Document M – Access to Buildings
Current Regulations from 2016
If a home was built post 1999 then a main entrance is required. The entrance threshold must be level to enable people, including those with a disability, to access the dwelling safely.
Please see below a PDF showing Building Regulations Approved Documents.
FENSA
FENSA is a scheme that permits window and door installation companies to self-certify their work, if complies with Building Regulations and meets a specific criteria. FENSA inspectors will come and take a look at the installers work, this ensures they are keeping up with the high standards of the scheme. If an installer fails to meet the inspectors criteria, they can be suspended or sometimes excluded.
If the works are being completed by the homeowner or an installation team not registered by FENSA, then these works need full approval from the local authority under Building Regulations.
You as the homeowner have full responsibility in ensuring the works are compliant with Building Regulations.
In order to show compliance with Building Regulations you need to show one of the following:
A certificate proving that the installer is recognised under the FENSA Scheme.
A certificate from the local authority giving the installation approval under the Building Regulations.