| Part L |
| What
is a dwelling?
The definition is a "dwelling" includes a dwelling-house and a flat. For
clarification, if the main purpose of a building is to be a "dwelling"
then the Regulations will apply to all replacement windows in that building.
Eg. sheltered accommodation - since its main purpose is to provide dwellings
for people, work on communal areas would count as work on dwellings. |
| How
will the Regulations affect contracts other than the standard consumer installations?
All
contracts (including Local Authority or Housing Association) for replacement
windows and doors in dwellings can be covered by FENSA. |
| Use
of Low Emissivity (Low-E) glass
If I use Low-E glass will it affect the colour of inserts such as Georgian Bars in the sealed unit? There
is no reason why inserts inside the sealed unit should suffer more or
less discolouration where Low-E glass is used. |
| Leaded
Lights and Low-E glass.
There are possible risks associated with the use of leaded lights and Low-E. These include the long term bonding of the adhesive on the Low-E, and the chemical effect of the adhesive and lead on the Low-E surface. The above may be specific to the Low-E and the Lead strip material used. Further information should be available from your suppliers. |
| Are
decorative effects excluded from the Regulations?
The
requirement of the Regulations specifies the overall performance of the
window, or the glass. There are no exclusions for decorative effects.
|
| Trickle
Vents, Building Regulation Approved Document F, are they required for replacement
fenestration?
The
Building Regulations Approved Documents N (Safety Glazing) and L (Thermal
Insulation) are prime requirements for replacement windows and doors.
Other elements of the Building Regulations A (Structure), F (Ventilation),
B (Means of escape), J (Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems),
M (Disabled Access) must not be compromised by the replacement installation. If
there is any doubt about the original compliance with the Regulations,
the installer must collect evidence of the features of the original installation.
It may be that ventilation in the 'partially open' position will be acceptable
in some circumstances (see the guidance in Approved Document F). However,
it will be good practice to offer trickle ventilation to customers to
improve ventilation and help with the control of condensation. If there
is any doubt about achieving compliance with regard to any of these matters,
the installer should contact their local Building Control Department. |
| Bay
Windows
Bay
windows are included in the FENSA Scheme. This means that FENSA registered
companies are able to certify and must ensure that bay window installations
meet Building Regulations and do not compromise the load bearing ability
of the bay. Therefore all appropriate poles and spreader plates must be
in place to ensure conformance. |
| How
many 'windows' is a bay window?
A
bay window is a multi faceted structure including mullions. |
| How
many 'doors' is a patio door?
A
patio door is made up of one facet and therefore = 1 door |
| Bay
windows and inspection
Bay windows are included in the inspection process. During installation inspections will include checking for steel reinforcements and header and spreader plates. |
| FENSA
deals with replacement work on dwellings. How will refurbishment on non-dwellings
be monitored?
Not
by FENSA, the Local Authority Building Control Department is responsible
for non-dwelling works. |
| Does
window assessment or testing require consideration for features, such as
sills, trickle vents, lead/Georgian effects?
Windows
and door configurations are given in GGF Data Sheet 2.2 January 2002 'Window
and Door U values: Provision of Certified Data'. Trickle vents, Georgina/leaded
effects and separate sills are not included. The assessment and testing
should be carried out on operational windows. |
| When
trading across border into Scotland are the FENSA detailed requirements
to be supplied and are the Regulations/Standards the same or different?
FENSA
applies to the replacement windows and doors to the Building Regulations
for England and Wales. The Building Standards for Scotland, Northern Ireland
and other parts of the British Isles may be different. |
| In
a contract to supply doors, which have less than 50% vision area of glass,
do we need to register this with FENSA and supply information?
As
the U value performance of the doors with less than 50% of their area
glazed is not a Building Regulation requirement for dwellings there is
no need to certify. If in doubt whether Part L2 applies, please your local
Building Control Department. |
| Do
garage windows need FENSA information?
When
fitted into an unheated area, which is not part of the house, the windows
need not comply with the Building Regulations Approved Document L. However,
you may decide to standardise your product range and the information supplied
with all windows, in order to reduce variations and specials. |