Although the building regulations for bifold doors are the same bifold doors are a modern creation they ll rarely fall beneath the regulatory standard.
Building regulations bifold doors.
There are lots of regulations pertaining to doors and frame fittings the requirements surrounding fire doors loft conversions fire exit doors and disability access are just a few regulations that require consideration.
The regulations apply to thermal performance and other areas such as safety air supply means of escape and ventilation.
In some areas aluminium bifold doors are not considered to be acceptable.
The rate of heat loss is measured as a u value.
Building codes for exterior doors.
An external window or door is a controlled fitting under the building regulations and as a result of this classification these regulations set out certain standards to be met when such a window or door is replaced.
In general bifold doors will have to meet a u value of 1 8.
Building regulations also state the size of doors that are required.
If you live in a listed building or conservation area you will normally need to apply for planning permission to install bifold doors.
There may also be restrictions that affect the materials and styles that you use.
This is because the appearance of these doors is not in keeping with the local area.
Building regulations advise that the height of external doors be 80 inches with a width of at least 36 inches.
Unless you have an existing window door that s the same as or bigger than the size of the opening required for the bi fold doors a new lintel will have to be fitted above the opening for support.
Exit doors shall be openable from the direction of exit travel without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort whenever the building is occupied.
The building regulations set out standards which bifold doors will have to meet.
1 mental penal or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel is continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire or other.
The old french windows only had a very low threshold from inside the house and the step outside down to the patio was only about 6 inches maybe less so was fine.
In this case timber bifold doors are more likely to be acceptable.
This included replacing a set of french windows with fixed glazed panels either side with a sliding patio door.
You may also need listed building consent.
There are also letter grade ratings for glazing.