Fire safety regs for replacement windows

[Cupramax]

Anyone got any idea what the regs that dictate fire safety for windows are or where you can find the specs of what you can and cant do? My house was built in 1992 so fairly recent but was fitted with wooden frame double glaing all 50/50 split top to bottom with top hinged openers... like these.



Now Ive been getting quotes for direct replacement like for like UPVC as the wood frames are getting very tired now getting on for 20 years old, but everyone I've had in to quote says you cant have top openers upstairs due to Fensa regs, cant say I like the look of this as it not very practical. Any idea if theres a way round this? Looking at Fensa site its about as clear as mud and the more I reead on the net says its down to building regs, not Fensa, and if thats the case how come the house was cleared to built like this so recently in the first place?

Anyone got any ideas?

Edited to add a very important T I missed out

Edited by Cupramax on Tuesday 20th April 21:51

[Cupramax]

darronwall said:

if he wants the windows to match the existing ones he has no problem

Thanks for the replies chaps, some sense at last Darron, why then are all the double glazing companies saying I cant do what I want... are they all wrong/stupid?

[Cupramax]

Sam_68 said:

• They have a legal obligation as the 'expert' 'designers' of the work to assess the risks involved and if they see solution that reduces those risks and they don't adopt it, again they could be held liable.

It may seem overly bureacratic and nannying, but that's the country we live in these days, unfortunately.

OK but if theres no obligation to improve when replacing existing thats not an issue though is it...

The windows are a part of what makes my house attractive, they're a bit different from the run of the mill stuff and I'd like to keep that, also having openers so low is not practical unless your a midget due to windows size/lowness of some of the windows sills.

[Cupramax]

rovermorris999 said:

They'll easily outlast pvc windows

Thanks for the info but judging by the state my windows are in after 18 years that doesn't ring true... my parents had UPVC windows fitted in 1986 and they still look fine, only problems being a few handles have needed replacing.

[Cupramax]

Ok, this has been resolved chaps, after a meeting with the local building control officer and the glazing company they have agreed to what I was after.

Thanks for all the constructive help on here...