Outward opening windows on ground floor building regulations

[DC5]

Hi folks,

 

Our build has the windows on the ground floor specified as inward opening tilt and turn.

 

Our window manufacturer who is currently producing the windows says they have a parts issue with completing 2 windows in tilt and turn inward opening (for a bathroom and utility room).

 

They are on a separate wall from all the others so aesthetics aren't a huge issue and they have said that outward opening french / casement windows would be given instead. 

 

I was looking at the regs and I think that because there is a path (in our garden not public) we are not allowed to have windows opening out on the ground floor, but please correct me if I'm wrong - I would actually prefer if these windows opened out anyway!

 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-domestic/4-safety/4-8-danger-accidents/

 

Any feedback greatly appreciated - please note this is in Scotland.

[Adsibob]

12 minutes ago, DC5 said:

Hi folks,

 

Our build has the windows on the ground floor specified as inward opening tilt and turn.

 

Our window manufacturer who is currently producing the windows says they have a parts issue with completing 2 windows in tilt and turn inward opening (for a bathroom and utility room).

 

They are on a separate wall from all the others so aesthetics aren't a huge issue and they have said that outward opening french / casement windows would be given instead. 

 

I was looking at the regs and I think that because there is a path (in our garden not public) we are not allowed to have windows opening out on the ground floor, but please correct me if I'm wrong - I would actually prefer if these windows opened out anyway!

 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-domestic/4-safety/4-8-danger-accidents/

 

Any feedback greatly appreciated - please note this is in Scotland.

I had a quick read of those regs and they do Indeed provide that your window cannot open into a “circulation route or space”. So the question is how far do these windows open and does their arc of opening cut into a circulation route or circulation space.

I would have thought you can address this by putting a limiter on the window so that it can only open a little: enough to give you adequate ventilation in summer but not so much that you cut into your path. Other option are:

1. forgo the ventilation and insert a fixed (ie unopenable) window

2. make the window smaller

3. make the window so it hinges at the top. If the window is a decent size, this would allow it to open enough to allow a fair bit of ventilation, without creating much of a projection from the building.

4. Move the house to England or Wales, where I don’t believe we have this rule.

Edited October 19, 2022 by Adsibob

[andyscotland]

It may be worth checking this with Building Control. Some of the requirements like that are aimed more at multiple occupancy buildings (blocks of flats etc) than private dwellings. That guidance you linked says if the projection cannot be avoided it must be guarded, then goes on to say that guarding is not required within a dwelling.

 

If the path is within your private garden and the window therefore unlikely to affect anyone bar you & your family it may be that BCO will be happy with that.

 

Remember that the technical handbooks are approved guidance that you can comply with to meet the regulations, but building control have some discretion to consider other arrangements if they're happy that the overall reg is satisfied - in this case that "people in and around the building are protected from injury that could result from fixed glazing, projections or moving elements on the building". Arguably the fact that residents will know the location of the window & the path, and if the path is lightly used then quite a low chance of someone opening the window at exactly the same time someone is walking past, may be considered sufficient protection.

 

I know that my mother in law recently completed an extension with multiple windows and a door that open out onto the path around the house and nobody raised any concerns. I'm pretty sure I've seen other projects around here with similar setups.

 

Obviously if your path has any public access that would change things.

[Russell griffiths]

All my windows open outwards, they all have a little button that stops the amount they open, more from a security perspective.