Will proposed window design require minor amendment?

[flanagaj]

So when the architects submitted our planning application they designed the house with full length pane windows upstairs.  Given that habitable rooms require a means of escape, it surely won't meet regs unless a juliet balcony is installed.  Juliet balconies were not shown on the design for the PP, so we are now in a position where the approved design won't meet building regs, without a change to the windows, eg a 2 pane window.   Will a minor amendment have to be submitted?

[ETC]

I’m not a big fan of EEWs that go to the floor at FF level - too dangerous if there are children about. However you can use restrictor stays which will allow you to use safety glass without physical guarding.

[flanagaj]

1 minute ago, ETC said:

I’m not a big fan of EEWs that go to the floor at FF level - too dangerous if there are children about. However you can use restrictor stays which will allow you to use safety glass without physical guarding.

What are EEWs?  I was aware they would need to be toughened internally, but wasn't sure how you can use restrictors and also have the window meet regs for fire escape.

[flanagaj]

6 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

What are EEWs?  I was aware they would need to be toughened internally, but wasn't sure how you can use restrictors and also have the window meet regs for fire escape.

I have subsequently found the post below which clarifies the situation.  So looks like full height is acceptable, but as you say it will require a restrictor.  Not sure how practical that is, especially during the summer when you might want the window wide open.

 

 

[ETC]

6 hours ago, flanagaj said:

So when the architects submitted our planning application they designed the house with full length pane windows upstairs.  Given that habitable rooms require a means of escape, it surely won't meet regs unless a juliet balcony is installed.  Juliet balconies were not shown on the design for the PP, so we are now in a position where the approved design won't meet building regs, without a change to the windows, eg a 2 pane window.   Will a minor amendment have to be submitted?

Oops. Sounds like they weren’t thinking about the practicalities of their design - just about the look - AFCANK!

[flanagaj]

4 hours ago, ETC said:

Oops. Sounds like they weren’t thinking about the practicalities of their design - just about the look - AFCANK!

I would most definitely agree.  They didn't even add in a disability ramp.  Who knows what other else they have missed.  Hopefully, nothing too serious that prevents us building the house.

[Bancroft]

12 hours ago, flanagaj said:

especially during the summer when you might want the window wide open

If you're planning a modern, well-insulated and ventilated house, the likelihood of wanting/needing to open an upper floor window are pretty slim so, personally, I would see this limitation as being of minor importance.

 

I'm actively trying to make more windows fixed closed to stop my wife from randomly opening them and ruining the MVHR efficiency!

[Nick Laslett]

@flanagaj, you would just remove the window restrictors after the house is signed off and you have moved in. 
 

@Bancroft

Quote

I'm actively trying to make more windows fixed closed to stop my wife from randomly opening them and ruining the MVHR efficiency!

 

Just remember to leave some cross opening windows so that you can do purge venting. I really struggled with some MVHR concepts when I first had to grapple with them. But after 6 years on this forum, I get the strong impression that there is a lot of window opening being used in conjunction with the MVHR. I believe the idea that MVHR negates the need for opening windows, in a UK context is a bit of a myth. But it is a complicated topic, with a lot of different opinions, so please do not take my comments for gospel. 😉
 

Good discussion here:

 

Edited Tuesday at 10:19 by Nick Laslett

[jack]

22 hours ago, Nick Laslett said:

I believe the idea that MVHR negates the need for opening windows, in a UK context is a bit of a myth. But it is a complicated topic, with a lot of different opinions, so please do not take my comments for gospel. 😉
 

 

100% agree. It's been mild and sunny here recently. Left alone, the house starts slowly heating up over a few days. However, it's very cool overnight, so every morning I open up some windows to allow cross-ventilation upstairs and down.

 

Even on boost and with summer bypass active, MVHR gives nothing like the cooling effect of this sort of purging. 

[kandgmitchell]

Don't forget Part O of the Bldg Regs - Overheating. That requires rooms to be provided with sufficient opening areas for ventilation. If a window is required to be open more than 100mm for that purpose then it'll have to be guarded if the bottom edge of the opening is less than 1100mm off floor level.

 

That's a simplistic summary of course so the document itself needs looking at.

[Bancroft]

On 20/05/2025 at 11:15, Nick Laslett said:

Just remember to leave some cross opening windows so that you can do purge venting.

We will have some windows that can be opened, particularly some big sliders to the terrace/outdoor kitchen but the biggest issue might be getting my wife to change her habits and perceptions after living in a 'normal' house all her life.

[SteamyTea]

Just a quick observation  about MVHR and opening windows.

MVHR is ventilation, opening windows in the summer is climate control.

Not the same thing.

No one thinks that you need to turn your MVHR on, or off, when you turn your heating on in the winter.

[ToughButterCup]

11 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

...... opening windows in the summer is climate control  ....

 

Climate control ?

 

[SteamyTea]

52 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

Climate control

More like a scheiße German bier delivery