Are fire rated windows required in flats when they looko onto an internal fire escape route

[CenturyGrove]

Can anyone please help me with some advice regarding whether I require fire rated windows onto an escape route corridor. I have 12 apartments on the first floor and 12 apartments on the second floor with each flat having an entrance door and a kitchen window on to the corridor. I am looking to install a fire alarm to cover the routes of escape which would be both floors and 2 staircase at opposite ends of the building. The corridors previously had window openings and I have now installed building reg complaints windows with fire escape openings. 
I have been advised of changing the kitchen windows to fire rated windows but I don’t understand why as the corridors have always been the route of escape. Your advice would be appreciated. 

[Tom Sutton]

I do not understand the layout you are describing "each flat having an entrance door and a kitchen window on to the corridor" is the door and window in different rooms, also you cannot use fire escape window on the second floor because of the height.

Escape windows cannot be fire rated window because they need to be fixed permanently shut and if the escape corridor is enclosed, the kitchen windows should be fire rated.

[Jimmy]

I am wondering if anyone could help please.

1. Do replacement external windows on blocks of flats need to be fire rated? And does this differ from windows on standard house dwellings. The windows do not look out onto an external escape.

2. Do external windows on protected escape routes from blocks of flats need to be fire rated?

[Tom Sutton]

1. No in both situations.

2. If the windows are to fresh air then no, providing the windows do not look out onto an external escape. If the windows are from the flat to a protected escape route then most probably yes.

[Guest Lisa]

Hi Tom if a window is looking into a corridor that is open to the fresh air either end of the corridor, does the window need to be fire rated and sealed, thank you

[AnthonyB]

Would someone have to pass the window to escape along the corridor, how wide is the corridor and is the bottom sill of the window under 1100mm from the ground?

Is the corridor only open at the ends & enclosed along the length?

[Guest Sha]

Hi, i recently installed a UPVC double glazed window in a kitchen. There are 2 rooms at the back, and as part of the fire route will go past this window when they exit the building. What are the rules on this? Are UPVC combustible? 

[AnthonyB]

Is this an escape route inside a single flat or does the window open onto a common escape route?

[Guest Windows near fire escape]

As a result of a FRA it has been suggested that we replace windows of a flat which are close to an external fire escape from another flat. The flat was signed off by building control within the last ten years. We have no other reason to replace the windows. Do we need to go ahead with this work? Thanks 

[AnthonyB]

Possibly, but not necessarily - difficult to say without looking although if the bottom of the windows are at or above 1100mm height this usually precludes the requirement for fire rated windows on an open deck so there may be no requirement under current risk assessment guidance to make this change.

[Guest Windows near fire escape]

Is this 1100m from the floor? What are the rules with regard to distances from the fire escape itself please? Also the external door of one of the flats opens onto the fire escape as that is their only means of entering and exiting the property. There is a window next to the door. Should both the door and the window be fire resistance please? If you have links to specifications about this that would be great thanks as it seems a minefield. If we got someone from building control round would they have the same rules as the fire risk assessor? Thank you. 

[AnthonyB]

You'd find most guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-in-purpose-built-blocks-of-flats

[Guest Fire rated wooden windows]

Does anyone know where I could get  fixed shut wooden windows that are fire rated at a reasonable price please?