Technical information

FENSA registration - what does it mean?

Since 1st April 2002, all replacement window installations in England & Wales have been subject to Building Regulations. The initials F E N S A stand for - Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. HomeSure Home Improvements is registered with FENSA (registration number 14255).

Our products are supplied by Duraflex and are multi-chambered with 3.0mm outer wall thickness. The inner chamber is reinforced with box section galvanised steel, for added strength and rigidity. The frames come complete with multi-point 'espagnolette' locks on the openers.

The standard glass units are of 4-20-4mm (28mm overall) construction with Pilkington K Glass^TM Inner Leaf. A range of patterned glasses from the Pilkington range is also available. The glass for doors and patio doors is toughened (toughened Pilkington K Glass^TM can be supplied for conservatories when specified).

Thermal insulation

HomeSure Home Improvements can certify that our double glazed windows comply with the thermal performance standards required (2.0 w/m) by New Building Regulations, 2002. The 'Duraflex' system has been awarded a BBA certification to demonstrate thermal performance down to 1.8 w/m (which is a higher insulation value than 2.0 w/m) and not only complies with the current requirements for England & Wales, but also meets the higher standard of 1.8 w/m which is now in force in Scotland. At some time in the future, the new higher standard (1.8 w/m) is also likely to be applied to the rest of the UK - HomeSure's windows already meet this new standard.

Other requirements covered by building regulations

You many need to ensure that the design of the window complies with the other relevant parts of the Building Regulations which are, briefly:

• Means of escape in case of fire
  • For all habitable rooms with no separate means of escape, in case of a fire there must be means of escape via the window (minimum sizes apply). In practice this usually means a side-hinged sash fitted with 'Egress' hinges (fire safety hinges)
• Use of safety glass for low-level glazing and adjacent to doors
  • All doors and windows adjacent to doors, low-level glazing, i.e. when the glass is less than 800mm from the floor
• Ventilation
  • For replacement windows the general rule is that the new window should not make the situation worse in terms of the number and size of openers
  • The use of night vents may help to overcome conflicting criteria of design and regulatory requirements

HomeSure Home Improvements can give you specific advice on this or you can obtain guidance from your local Building Control Office. You many need to obtain a Certificate of Compliance.

Please note:

If your windows and doors are part of a new build or extension for which Building Regulations have been granted, then you will not need additional certification as the relevant areas of legislation will already have been covered and the specification for the windows will be clearly shown on the plans.