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Comply with Building Regulations/Standards related to windows, doors and conservatory installation and surveying in the fenestration industry

URN: GQAFEN17
Business Sectors (Suites): Fenestration Installation,Fenestration Installation and Surveying
Developed by: GQA
Approved on: 31 Aug 2013

Overview

This standard covers the broad requirements of the Building Regulations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Building Standards in Scotland that are applicable to windows, doors and conservatories in the fenestration environment. You should ensure that installations do not endanger life and comply with the statutory requirements, keep your knowledge current and communicate with others when required.

This standard is for you if you work in the Fenestration Industry and are involved in surveying of installation sites and work.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. carry out work following current Building Regulations/Building Standards which apply locations you are working in 2. communicate with others about regulations/standards following standard operating procedures 3. seek and obtain information on updates and changes to regulations/standards from reliable sources 4. update knowledge of regulations/standards at intervals which fit with changes in legislation and specified periods of time

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. why Building Regulations or Building Standards exist and when they apply to the type of works being undertaken
  2. Building Regulations/Standards complied with, in full, and the ones that must be considered to secure reasonable standards of health and safety for persons in and about buildings, affected by the works
  3. work that do not require Building Regulation/Standard compliance
  4. which bodies can carry out inspections of the work or approve products installed and how the choice is made
  5. consequences of failed inspections on Installers/Installation companies and home owners
  6. different methods used to support loadings above standard openings
  7. when a structural support should be present or installed
  8. why any defects that may affect the installation and/or structure should be remedied prior to installing a window or doorset
  9. when a bay window is, or is not, load-bearing
  10. when and how to support loadings above bay windows
  11. how to provide structural supports when required in new bay windows
  12. how to ensure load is transferred onto new structural supports
  13. requirements of egress windows in terms of minimum area, minimum size and position of lower edge of openings relative to finished floor level
  14. where fire-resistant windows (glazing) must be installed
  15. where fire-resistant doorsets must be installed
  16. where self-closing fire-resistant doorsets must be installed
  17. advantages of installing thermally efficient windows and doorsets
  18. methods of demonstrating compliance with fuel conservation requirements
  19. meaning of 'U-value' and the difference between whole window U-value (uw) and centre pane glazing U-value (ug)
  20. when centre pane glazing U-value (ug) may be used to demonstrate compliance
  21. maximum U-value for windows and doorsets installed
  22. terms "Window Energy Rating" or "Door Set Energy Rating", and how they differ from u-value
  23. organisations used to energy rate windows and doorsets
  24. maximum WER for windows and DSER for doorsets installed
  25. effects that the width of gaps between the panes of insulated glass unit(IGU) has on the thermal performance of the IGU 27
  26. effects of gas filling, including argon, on the thermal performance of an IGU
  27. effects on thermal performance of installing secondary glazing and when it is needed
  28. the definition of safety glazing
  29. where safety glazing must be fitted
  30. types of glass classified as safety glass
  31. how to identify safety glass, the standards applicable and what the marking indicates
  32. whether un-marked glass can be classified as safety glazing
  33. the term 'finished floor level'
  34. how safety glazing relates to windows fitted in bathrooms
  35. how safety glazing is applied to stairways and how the drop is measured
  36. when marked safety glazing may be omitted from installations
  37. requirements for background (trickle) ventilation and how this can be provided
  38. requirements for purge ventilation and how this can be provided
  39. what the term 'the replacement windows should not make the existing capability worse' means in practice
  40. options available for use, to allow ventilation through window structures
  41. why it is necessary to make special provision for access to, and use of buildings
  42. access requirements relating to door size
  43. access requirements relating to window operation and positioning of operating hardware
  44. resistance to the ingress of moisture around window and door openings
  45. requirements to ensure moisture does not ingress between windows/doorsets and building fabrics
  46. limitations when installing low-threshold sills to doorsets
  47. differences between open-flued and close-flued combustion appliances
  48. why open-flued combustion appliances may need ventilation through windows and how this is achieved
  49. requirements of ventilation for non-room sealed combustion appliances
  50. requirements of positioning window/door openings in relation to combustion appliance flue outlets
  51. when to provide protection from falling and containment

  52. how glazing can be used for containment or protection from falling

  53. types of glazing required to provide protection from falling and containment, and how to identify it

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

31 Mar 2018

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Proskills

Original URN

PROFEN17

Relevant Occupations

Glaziers Window Fabric and Fitters

SOC Code

5317

Keywords

Fenestration Building Regulations, Building Standards