On 28 Sep, 21:05, Gareth wrote:
Not strictly DIY but I'm sure people here will know the answer.

Do bedroom windows have to have an opening at least 600mm wide?

The reason I ask is that I had a couple of people round to give me
quotes for some replacement windows. *The first bloke, an experienced
chap from a local firm, said I couldn't do what I wanted because the
regs state that bedroom windows need to have an opening of at least
600mm for an escape route. *The second chap, a young bloke with shiny
suit from a large national firm, didn't seem to know anything about this
rule.

Assuming the 1st bloke is correct, other than the increased risk of
burning to death, what would be the downside if ignoring the regs?

Thanks for any information.

Gareth

It depends on whether in your particular house, a means-of-escape
window is required in that particular room.

Generally second floor bedrooms do, or first floor 4.5m above ground
level, or if they open into another room (such as in an open plan
house) rather directly to a hallway leading to an exit door.

With unusual house layouts, the rules on this get complicated. You
would need to plough through the approved docs to be certain.

If a means of escape window is required - from memory it must have an
opening area at least 450mm high AND wide AND have an area greater
than 0.3 sq m, and be less than 1200mm above floor level.