Building Regulations and Approved Document Q - what does this Mean for Rooflights?
Building Regulations and Approved Document Q - what does this Mean for Rooflights?
19th July 2018
Building regulations govern the way in which a property is designed and constructed. This is to make sure the building is completely safe, and accessible to everyone who needs to use it. Since 2015, building regulations have included Approved Document Q, which details requirements for the security of dwellings. Whilst this mainly applies to doors and windows, there are also implications for rooflights, and it’s important that you understand these when installing a rooflight in your building.
What does Approved Document Q say about rooflights?
In most cases, Approved Document Q won’t apply to rooflights as they are not deemed to be easily accessible. This is how easily accessible is defined:
• “A window or doorway, any part of which is within 2m vertically of an accessible level surface such as ground or basement level, or an access balcony.”
• “A window within 2m vertically of a flat or sloping roof (with a pitch of less than 30 degrees) that is within 3.5m of ground level.”
This means that most rooflights in two storey buildings will be completely unaffected, as they don’t count as ‘accessible’. However, if you are installing a skylight in a single storey extension, this is something you will want to think about.
Overall, Approved Document Q isn’t something you need to be concerned about – it is there to protect your property. However, it is something that you very much need to be aware of if you are installing a roof light in an easily accessible location.
If you would like any further advice, please do not hesitate to talk to us – we can talk you through our dome specifications to make sure you choose an appropriate option for you. For example, it is much more difficult to break in through a rooflight that has a laminated inner pane, so this could be a good option to ensure better security. We also offer a number of security frames, high security fixings and security grids. Let us know your specific situation and we will be happy to help.