Product Specification

If you would like help in compiling your specification, please contact Rationel Windows for bespoke specification material. Go to contact info.

Specifiers Checklist

Ventilation

Confirm that the area of opening casements is at least 5% of the floor area for all rooms.

Check the provision of background ventilation - in most cases the designer will expect background ventilation via the windows.

Are AOV remotely/manually operated windows required and do the sizes specified give sufficient free area?

Means of Escape

Confirm the provision and appropriate size of escape windows to rooms within 4.5 metres of external ground level. Usually domestic housing, flats and apartments may have alternative escape provisions and houses with two stairsways may be exempt.

Check and confirm which doors are to be used as a Fire Escape and is Fire Escape ironmongery specified.

Are fire escape windows required (minimum area and clear height met) then you can not use lockable handles.

Do entrance doors meet minimum opening requirements for disabled access?

Safety and Security

Check that safety glass is specified for doors and side panels to doors and windows where the glass line is within 800mm of the finished floor level.

Are 'Secured By Design' requirements applicable to ground floor fittings (please note that currently sliding patio doors are not required to be compliant and Tilt and Turn Doors are non-compliant)?

Does the design of the building allow windows to be fully opened e.g outward opening windows immediately below the soffit at eaves level?

Barriers

Check that no upper-floor openings are within 800mm of internal finished floor level or 1100mm for high-rise buildings - BS8213.

Heat loss

Confirm compliance with Document parts F and L. If the area of windows and doors exceeds 25% of the floor area the target U-value or carbon index methods of compliance will need to be used.

Confirm the U-value of the glazing meets the minimum required values.

Cleaning

Confirm that the types of windows selected can be cleaned safely.

Is internal cleaning required? Are windows compliant with BS 8213 (Windows, doors and rooflights: Part 1 Design for safety in use and during cleaning)?

Exposure

Confirm that the window selected meets the appropriate exposure criteria as set in BS 6375.

Other

Confirm that windows required as AOVs or on Teleflex gear are specified "on hinges only". Rationel do not supply specialist opening gear except Topguided automatic opening vent units incorporating an electric motor in the frame.

Specify microporous paint or stain.
Is sound reduction required? If yes, check the glass specification.
Is obscure glass needed?
Are grooves for an internal window board required?
Is sun shielding glazing required?