Windows aren't classed as fire exits on a ground floor?

Lysander

Lysander

Lysander

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A few weeks ago our landlord finally decided to undertake roof repairs to our block. There's scaffolding round the whole thing but it occurred to me yesterday that we now can't get out of our windows in the case of a fire. We live on the ground floor and our windows open outwards. They currently open about three inches which is fine for ventilation but not for an escapee route.

I spoke to the project manager this afternoon who said they were still complying with H&S since windows are not classed as a fire exit. She said that if I were that worried about it I should buy a fire extinguisher.

OK windows may not be classed as exits but they've blocked off our means of escape if there's a problem. Now we can only use the front door [no back door]. Is there a way round this?
 
If they're complying with H & S laws then probably not.

On a lighter note I recommend not setting fire to your front door! :p
 
I would get confirmation on whether they are meeting H&S regs. I just had an extension done and building regs required that the windows opened wide enough to escape out of, in case of fire.
I would call this a fire exit.
 
I thought that you only needed bottom openers on upstairs windows in new builds....

I just got all my windows done actually, it's a Victorian house and I was going to have blanks at the bottom of the front windows to keep the character, then I realised that I may as well have bottom openers as well as top as it was the same price. Easy escape for me in the worst case scenario. :D
 
How many houses have opening windows on the botom floor?
I don't, thats what doors are for?
You know they kinda look like windows but they open a bit more ;)
 
23JMZ07 said:
How many houses have opening windows on the botom floor?
I don't, thats what doors are for?
You know they kinda look like windows but they open a bit more ;)
Click to expand...

If you're stuck in the front room and the hallway is on fire, you're in a spot of bother. I went for top & bottom openers - will be nice in summer if I want to let more air in, and it doesn't look strange in the slightest. Also a bonus if I want to rent the place out or suddenly want to convert into flats. :D
 
Fair point.

If a fire breaks out in the hallway, you are going to know about it if you are in a downstairs room. Its not like when you are sleeping and a fire breaks out downstairs without you knowing. If you are mega paranoid, buy a window hammer.
 
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