Replacement Windows

[Peter]

I know this isn't strictly DIY as I'm not planning to do it myself, but I suspect I'll get more sense out of you guys than most other places. So, anyone had their windows replaced lately? If so, what were you told about meeting current Means of Escape regulations?

Reason I'm asking is that we've had three quotes so far (fourth coming) and each company has given us a different story about what is accepable and what isn't. So, I looked up the Approved Documents myself

decided they were all wrong. So I emailed Fensa and today spoke with someone there who agreed with me. Fensa, though, wouldn't go as far as to say the companies are wrong, just that they were being over cautious in specifying windows which went beyond the actual requirement.

I'm trying to get a handle on whether this is some form of mis-selling because all the companies said we HAD to have this that or the other, not that it was an option or that they just recommended it. I wondered if this was general throughout the industry or just in this area.

I'm also wondering where to go from here. As we don't really like what we are being told we have to have, do we shop around for another company or try to get one of the ones we've already been to to supply what we want. I'm wondering if there's another organisation who supports the consumer in a case like this because Fensa made it clear they are not a consumer organisation and wouldn't investigate this at all.

So, anyone with any experience they would like to relate. Any comments welcome.

[EricP]

An indication of what you have been told would be helpful.

[Peter]

----- Original Message ----- From: "EricP" Newsgroups: uk.d-i-y Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 4:44 PM Subject: Re: Replacement Windows

Why?

I don't want to steer this down a specific path and start an argument over specifics. I'd just like to know what others have been told in general terms regarding meeting current regulations.

Have you had replacement windows? If so, what were you told? If you haven't....

[Arthur2]

I have an old terraced house and I had old windows replaced with dble glazing and when it came to the survey the guy said I have to have a fire escape standard window on the upstairs. So in the end I opted for 2 and the cost of the project didn't change.

Dunno if this helpful.

Arthur

[EricP]

With that attitude in here you are unlikely to get any meaningful replies, from me least of all.

So bye bye.

[Peter]

More helpful than EricP(ratt). Thanks

Without knowing the details I can't say for sure but I suspect you didn't really need a fire escape window but, as long as the price was no different and you're happy with the design, (and presumably happy you now have a window you can get out of) it's not a problem. The issue is that you were told you had to have one when that may not have been the case.

[dom]

Your interpretation form what you've read in the approved documents is likely to be more accurate than the opinion of a salesman that's just heard about them, but not actually read them.

If the layout of your house is rather unusual, it's open plan, or some room designations ambiguous, or unusual placing of things like solid fuel stoves - there could be some doubt about whether MOE are required in certain rooms. Remember it's not just what you use a room for, but what future owners might reasonably do. Talk to a building control officer from your local council.

I would approach window companies with a written spec "this is what I want" and ask them to justify, in writing, and changes they feel are necessary.

[Peter]

Could be a good idea though having already had the quotes it's maybe a bit late. I also suspect they would just say 'it's the regulations' and tell me to go elsewhere if I'm not happy with it. I am thinking of going back to all of them with some sort of query for 'clarification' to see what they say but I'm still not sure how far I'd get.

[clangers_snout]

Peter, call your local council BCO (building control office). They will tell you exactly what is and isn't required to meet building regulations.