Outward Opening Doors England

[dollymay]

I am having an extension with french windows at the rear of the house onto our garden. Do these doors need to be inward opening by law? Some 20 years at another house I was told this was the case in a similar situation by builders. So I had inwards doors which I later paid to have converted into outward!

[atalanta]

I have known plenty of cases where french windows opened out. All in different parts of UK. There may be some odd byelaws in some places preventing this, but I can't think why.

[SirOracle]

I live in Edinburgh and my French windows open outwards. These were installed by the house builder.

[jourdain2]

I had an outward opening door.

[The Builder]

"French windows" usually open out. It's your choice entirely. There aren't any rules about it, Dolly.

If you open out, it's often a good idea to fit projection hinges (also called "Parliament hinges"). This lets the doors fold right back against the wall each side. Hold them with a cabin hook. This prevents the wind from blowing them around.

[dollymay]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like the previous builder didnt know what he was talking about, or perhaps he thought I would employ him later to refit the windows...

[BlackadderV]

I thought all windows opened outwards so why should French ones be any different?

[buildersmate]

There is an issue for buildings where legislation demands a fire risk assessment and management plan, and in that case, fire doors on the fire exit route must open outwards.
Maybe your builder is getting muddled and has worked on commercial office or retail premises where this would have been a consideration.
None of this legislation applies to domestic dwellings where Building Control requirements cover the required fire minimization and escape considerations.

[ummmm]

When watching programmes like Come Dine With Me you often see doors that open outwards. What happens if the police need to kick it in?

[buildersmate]

That is not a consideration, Umm

[jno]

you put a little sign on it saying "please enter before kicking down"

[alavahalf]

"What happens if the police need to kick it in?"

From personal experience having been called out to plenty burglaries by the Police.
The Police very rarely kick anything in ... They usually "smash it in".. Therefore whether a door opens inwards or outwards makes no difference to the security. If someone comes prepared to force an entry, you wont stop them !

[DSJ]

Ours were installed a year ago and open outwards.

[buildersmate]

Builders do what the client asks them, provided no Building Regs are breached. On occasions they don't know best and state requirements that are not necessary. Rarely, this is done to create extra work - there are a few bad apples.

Buildings are not designed for police to kick in doors. It's an irrelevance dreamed up by Ummmmm.

[ummmm]

I just wondered, that's all.