The Importance of a Glazing and Restrictor Audit

Last week, it was reported that an NHS Trust in Scotland has been fined £220,000 for safety breaches. This was due to two patients falling out of hospital windows in separate incidents, which led to their unfortunate deaths. It was concluded that these incidents could have been avoided if the building had complied with the necessary safety regulations.

There are two key pieces of guidance that must be followed when it comes to glazing and window restrictors. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require that if any glazing materials break, they cannot pose a threat to the health of building occupants. Part D of the Health Building Note (HBN) 00-10 applies to healthcare buildings, and it outlines that vulnerable adults should not be able to force a window restrictor open beyond 100mm. All existing buildings, components, and fitments must be surveyed to identify whether they meet the required safety standards. If non-compliant glazing or window restrictors cause injury, it will be the responsibility of the ‘Duty Holder’.

If you are unsure whether the glazing and window restrictors in your building comply with current safety regulations, we offer a range of audits and services to help you. Our window glazing audits are designed to assist duty holders in making an informed decision on the requirements of ‘The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992’ by examining factors such as whether the glass is toughened/laminated, if it’s single/double/triple glazed, and if it has a Kite mark or security mesh. Our restrictor audits consider the points mentioned earlier, but also analyse the window frame construction, number and type of restrictors installed, opening sizes, the fixtures used, and whether there are any indications of tampering. These audits are intended to aid the duty holder in making decisions for Part D.

To find out more about how our services can help you, click here.