FENSA GUIDANCE ON..

Guidance on... Conservatories - Definition

It is essential when considering whether a structure is a conservatory and therefore not part of the main structure of the property to understand the definition as quoted in the Building Regulations.

The structure needs to have:

• Not less than ¾ of the roof area made from translucent material, and
• Not less than ½ of the wall area made from translucent material
• Either unheated, or heated by a system with own and separate heating controls(ref. Approved Document L1 CL 1.59(b)), and
• Be separated from the main residence by "external" doors

If the structure meets this definition, in full, then it is exempt from the requirement of Approved Document L1.

Furthermore if the structure is less than 30m2 then it is generally not necessary to obtain building control approval (Ref: Schedule 2, Class vii)

It should be noted that whether or not a structure is deemed to be a 'conservatory', or an extension to a dwelling, the requirements of Approved Document N apply.

If the structure is deemed to be a conservatory then all doors and windows between the conservatory and the main residence must, when replaced, comply with Approved Document L1, and to the documents to which it refers. The conservatory is not to be registered with FENSA but replacing the dividing doors and windows needs to be.

If the structure does not meet the full definition of a conservatory it does not have an exempt status and must comply with Approved Document L1. In this situation any doors and windows between the residence and the extension will be classed as internal and exempt from Approved Document L1.

Guidance On... Replacing Vertical Sliding Sashes

When replacing vertical sliding windows it is important that the compliance to Approved Documents F (Ventilation), N (Safety) and B (Fire Egress) is either maintained, or that the replacement windows are not worse than those being removed.

Example
The surveyor is called to a house fitted with a wooden vertical sliding sash window in a room measuring 4m by 4m.

Diagram 1

The customer requires the external appearance of the window to be fundamentally the same and requests a PVC-U top hung vent over a fixed light.

Diagram 2 - This solution will fail (Fire Egress)

1. Rapid Ventilation

The original window provided 0.45m 2 of rapid ventilation (less than required for new build regulations 4m x 4m x 1/20 = 0.8m 2 ) however a portion of the opening sash set out in Diagram 2 is 1750mm above floor level and therefore, does not make the situation worse and is acceptable in this respect.

Note: Rapid ventilation needs some part of the ventilation opening above 1750mm.

As the original window did not contain trickle vents, nor was it capable of being locked in the open position, it did not provide background ventilation. The design of the window in Diagram 2 is acceptable in this respect. If a background ventilation facility was available then the replacement window would need to be fitted with either trickle vents or a lockable night vent so compliance would be maintained.

The replacement window is less than 800mm from floor level and therefore the lower sash needs to be fitted with safety glass to BS 6206.

(Diagram 3 - window on a staircase).

Note: Diagram 3 shows how the distance from a staircase to the bottom of the window is to be measured.

Diagram 3

Approved Document B - Fire Egress

1. Fire Egress

The original window provided a clear opening 600mm high and 750mm wide at height of 600mm from the floor. This more than satisfied the size requirement for a fire egress window in a new build situation (i.e. 0.33m 2 with a minimum dimension of 450mm). The replacement window (Diagram 2) can, dependent upon the type of hinge used, maintain the size of opening required for egress (taking into account an external stone cill if in place). However because symmetry is required the transom height will be above the 1100mm level. (This height is the maximum required for a fire egress window to comply with the legislation.) Therefore the window in Diagram 2 fails fire egress compliance (it makes matters worse).

Options available:

• Revert to vertical sash design.
• Lower the height of the middle transom to below 1100mm (top opener becomes a fire egress window)
• Redesign the window to be two top opening vents, one above the other. (Diagram 4)
• Redesign the window to be one single top hung opening, measuring 1200mm x 750mm, if suitable hinges are available.

Diagram 4

Guidance On... Inner Rooms - Definition

Approved Document B defines an inner room as "a room whose only escape is through another room (the access room)". Therefore any room that is not directly linked to a hall, or has its own external door, will require fire egress facilities to be maintained. Even if the access room has a doorway or similar facility opening to the outside. The only room types exempted are kitchens, laundry/utility rooms, bathrooms, and toilet or shower rooms.

Guidance on.Providing Means of Escape

Escape in the case of fire is a key criteria when replacing a window. This flow chart will help you identify what you need to do to comply with the FENSA requirements.

Guidance On.FENSA Inspection principles

Inspection will be undertaken both during installation and afterwards. The proportion of such inspections shall start at 50% of each category, but may be amended in the light of experience. In the event of a significant alteration in the proportion of each type, inspecting bodies will be expected to review their prices.

Items for which inspection is to be made. Whether the inspection is during or after installation, the following questions shall be asked:

1. Has Safety Glass been used as appropriate in compliance with Approved Document N?
2. Is the window system that which has been declared as meeting the requirements of Approved Document L?
3. Do the products being installed result in a worsening of the functional requirement of the property.

The role of the inspector is essentially to confirm whether or not the installer has complied with Building Regulations.

Guidance On . Insurance Cover

Why it is necessary

For your protection
This Insurance underwrites our own guarantee, which is usually for defective workmanship and faulty materials. If we cease to trade the insurance will take the place of the guarantee for the remaining term of the cover.

Why is insurance required?
A contractor will show confidence in his workmanship by giving written guarantees ranging between 12 months and 10 years for the majority of home improvement contracts. If a fault arises during the guarantee period the contractor would normally call to fix the problem at no charge. However a contractor cannot give an absolute assurance as to the length of time he will be in business and therefore be able to honour his guarantee. For this reason a professional contractor should always provide an insurance cover, which will honour his guarantee, in the unlikely event of him ceasing to trade. We provide that insurance.

What is covered?
If a fault is discovered in the original works and you cannot have this fixed because you find the contractor has ceased trading you would lodge a claim. A report would be prepared by another contractor to determine the cause of the problem and if the fault(s) would have been covered by the terms of the contractor's guarantee then the Insurance will meet the reasonable costs of rectifying the defects up to the limit of the original contract price.

Is the cover transferable?
If the contractor's guarantee is transferable to subsequent owners of the property the insurance cover will also automatically transfer to the new owner.

What is the policy term?
Usually the policy term is linked to the number of years guaranteed by the contractor, which for many trades is up to 10 years and the cover commences from the date the contract is satisfactorily completed. Upon receipt of premium the Certificate of Insurance is issued.

Who protects me?
The insurance is underwritten by a major leading British Insurer of long standing who is DTI authorised, a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service and registered with the General Insurance Standards Council and the Financial Services Authority.

What happens if I do not have Insurance Backing?
Hopefully your contractor will always be there to respond to any problems that may arise over the next 10 years and he would meet any remedial costs. However experience shows us that many contractors will fail for several reasons, the main areas being financial failure and retirement.

How can I protect myself against the cowboy operators?
Many contractors set high standards of workmanship and materials and often a recommendation from a friend or colleague can be the best advice. It is good to look at the contractor's membership of trade organisations, as often they will have been set stringent levels of criteria to gain the title of Registered Installer. Many companies are now displaying the Quality Mark logo to show that they meet the required standards as set by the DTI scheme which has a mandatory insurance cover.

FENSA registered contractors
Following changes to Part L of Building Regulations which take effect from 1st April 2002 , double glazing contractors who are registered with FENSA can self certify their double glazing work without the need to go through local Building Control. A condition of registration is that insurance is offered on every contract carried out by the Contractor.