Self-Build - window regulations - Danish windows

[Klim]

Hi,

 

We are considering ordering some windows from Denmark for a new house we are building in Scotland.  We would like to go for the classical Danish Dannebrog style (pictured below) which we know Rationel in Denmark produce (price difference between buying direct from Denmark is significant to buying from Rationel in UK and UK version is modified). We need to understand if these meet Scottish Building Standards - currently, we are struggling to determine this ourselves from review of the regulation and discussion with our design specialist.  

 

The two respects we are unclear on are below and if anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. 

 

1) first floor window requirements for being cleaned from the inside

 

The unit size we’ll have is 900mm width x 1500mm height units. With all four panes opening outwards, we are unsure if this is suffice for the cleaning requirements there are of first floor windows in the UK? This is with the understanding that when cleaning one would clean a pane by keeping it closed and sticking ones arm out through the other pane to reach round the 450mm. 

 

 

2) requirements for handles (locking mechanism).  We want to use the traditional Danish locking hinges called ‘anverfer' (pictured below). Are these compliant in the UK?

 

[Russell griffiths]

Please tell me I’m wrong but what requirement for cleaning the windows 

how can that work I’m having lots of windows situated 4m above ground that don’t open

how do they propose I swing them around to clean them. 

What a load of rubbish. 

 

Edited January 1, 2019 by Russell griffiths

[ProDave]

My top hung Rationel windows will swing all the way round so the outside pane is presented to the inside for cleaning.

 

Previous house had side hung, but not on plain hinges, on those top and bottom sliding things that once fully open you can push to the side to get your arm through the gap to the outside.

 

I believe there is some requirement to be able to reach the outside of an opening pane. 

[PeterW]

32 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

Please tell me I’m wrong but what requirement for cleaning the windows 

how can that work I’m having lots of windows situated 4m above ground that don’t open

how do they propose I swing them around to clean them. 

What a load of rubbish. 

 

 

It's a weird Scottish Regulation about the ability to clean windows from the inside. Have a look at this link section 5.

 

Probably due to either there being no window cleaners in Scotland as its always raining, or that the Scots are too tight to pay to have them cleaned...

[dpmiller]

As I do all the window cleaning in our house, I went for the sliding/egress hinges all round in our build.

[Ed Davies]

10 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Please tell me I’m wrong but what requirement for cleaning the windows 

 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-2017-domestic/4-safety/48-danger-from-accidents/

 

4.8.3

 

But you're in a different country.

[Russell griffiths]

I have read some ridiculous crap in my time but that is up there with the best. 

 

So if your window opens it has to be cleanab, but if it’s a fixed pain it doesn’t 

[Mr Punter]

17 hours ago, PeterW said:

It's a weird Scottish Regulation about the ability to clean windows from the inside. Have a look at this link section 5.

 

 

18 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Please tell me I’m wrong but what requirement for cleaning the windows

 

In the in England it is covered by Part K 5.4.

[ADLIan]

Part K 5.4 does not apply to dwellings.

 

The clause in the Scot Regs only applies to windows 4m above external GL or internal floor level so I can only imagine this applying if there is a tall, double storey atrium, staircase or similar.

Edited January 2, 2019 by ADLIan
Update for Scot regs