Escape windows - can they be lockable

[Lincolnshire Ian]

Hiya

We have received the window schedule from our TF manufacturer, and it shows a ground-floor room with an escape window that isn't lockable. I understand the principle of it not being lockable, but I'm probably more worried about someone helping themselves to our stuff. It's also a question asked when you take out insurance: "Are all the downstairs windows lockable?"

Can I insist upon an escape window to have a lock, or is this just something that we will need to do?

Thanks

[JohnMo]

What does building regs say - that will be where the source information comes from.

[nod]

59 minutes ago, Lincolnshire Ian said:

Hiya

We have received the window schedule from our TF manufacturer, and it shows a ground-floor room with an escape window that isn't lockable. I understand the principle of it not being lockable, but I'm probably more worried about someone helping themselves to our stuff. It's also a question asked when you take out insurance: "Are all the downstairs windows lockable?"

Can I insist upon an escape window to have a lock, or is this just something that we will need to do?

Thanks

Ours are 

If you have small children about Its Simple not practical to not have them lockable 

[ETC]

Escape windows can be lockable - not a great idea in my opinion but acceptable in ADB.

 

Approved Document B vol 1 2019 edition inc 2020, 2022 and 2025 amendments and forthcoming 2026 and 2029 changes

 

 

[LDNRennovation]

Just checking you understand the situation … it just means no key, you can lock it but you have to be able to push button open it from the inside?

[Conor]

I thought locking (with a key) windows were a thing of the past? I've always assumed the insurance question was asking about latches that click in to place, so can't be teased open from the outside. In my parents house, they had single friction latches. If I ever locked myself out, all I had to do was gently and rapidly bang on the frame where the latch was, and it would just work it's way up and open!

[LDNRennovation]

Usually you have the key ones, and escape are these: 

Edited Wednesday at 17:56 by LDNRennovation

[Lincolnshire Ian]

On 06/05/2025 at 20:44, Conor said:

I thought locking (with a key) windows were a thing of the past? I've always assumed the insurance question was asking about latches that click in to place, so can't be teased open from the outside. 

That's an interesting take on it. You could be right. I don't think many people actually lock the windows anyway.