Diary of a Chartered Surveyor in Charente Maritime Part 8 - Safety Glass

Hello again another month gone, well at least the year has started with a number of enquiries and I hope this will continue, I did predict last year that the market should improve this year however we will have to wait and see on that one, (now where did I put my crystal ball!)

 

We have spent some time in the garden this last month, tidying up the borders and assessing what has survived and I fear we have lost a number to frost, despite our best efforts with mulch and netting. Although, some of the plants that look like they have given up the ghost are being given a reprieve until spring has finally arrived, just in case the green shoots of new growth do appear.

 

I had the shock of my life recently, when I lifted the black plastic from the top of one of our compost bins, only to find a snake over-wintering beneath it. I eventually replaced the plastic and opened up another bin. Whilst I am not a great lover of the ‘serpent’ they do at least keep the voles in check.

 

Anyway on to this month’s topic- Safety Glass

 

Ask yourself whether you think the glass in your doors or low level glazed panels is safety glass.

The ‘Building Regulations’ in Britain makes it clear and below is an extract. Critical locations are areas where safety glass should be used.

 

The 'critical locations' in any internal or external domestic area are:
Doors Any glazing or part of that glazing in a door, which is between the finished floor level and a height of 1500mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.
Side Panels to Doors Any glazing or part of that glazing, which is within 300mm of either side of a door edge and which is between the finished floor level and a height of 1500mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.
Windows, partitions, and walls Any glazing or part of that glazing, which is between the finished floor level and a height of 800mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.

 

However I believe it is essential to have any glass in a door as safety glass, there have been a number of fatalities in the UK with people locking themselves out of properties and then smashing the door glass by hand. Not a very clever thing to do in the first place I know but alcohol doesn’t always makes you think straight. You should also think about children running towards glass doors, I will leave that image with you.

 

In modern properties safety glass should be marked with a CE mark showing that it is fit for purpose and position however it is difficult to tell with older properties or those that have modernized by enthusiastic amateurs.

 

When in doubt get the glass or the door replaced, if the glass is obviously thin it will not be safety glass.

 

Anyway that’s it for now and as usual if anyone has any specific problems (related to property) they can telephone me on 0044- (0)7802222504 or get in touch through the website or comment on this blog.

 

TTFN, Brian

 
Posted by: Brian Lindley on 25 February 2010