tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post7589736505495886766..comments2024-01-30T07:41:20.885+00:00Comments on Broken Barnet: The death of Yuk Kiu Lee: Barnet Council contractors Fremantle in the dockMrs Angryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-44616808356318334412013-09-24T19:50:14.004+01:002013-09-24T19:50:14.004+01:00While it may seem odd to have such low windows, th...While it may seem odd to have such low windows, this feature does give the bed ridden, or wheelchair bound occupant more light and more importantly a view on the outside world. Managed correctly there should be little or no risk.<br /><br />However, I must admit I am shocked that these restrictors are only going to be (or supposed to be) checked monthly. Taken literally the occupant could be at risk for a whole 30 days!<br /><br />I believe (as mentioned earlier) that it should be blatently and visually apparent that the restrictor is open or undone. <br /><br />The purpose of the monthly check should therefore only be to confirm operation, not to check whether the occupant has been put at risk.<br /><br />Assuming the restrictors are key operated then there should be a key register, not only to sign the key in and out, but also to thirdly (and most importantly) to sign that the restrictor is locked.<br /><br />If operated correctly, the occupant should never be at risk.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-52343020179286651812013-09-22T18:38:34.332+01:002013-09-22T18:38:34.332+01:00I have to say that when I heard in court that the ...I have to say that when I heard in court that the windows were only 60cms from floor level, I must have misheard, but it was repeated. It seems incredible to have such a design in relatively recently built home for elderly people, residents who are staying there because they are infirm, and many of whom may well be suffering from dementia. It seems there are still unanswered questions that someone should be asking.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-86499005689479608012013-09-22T09:41:24.069+01:002013-09-22T09:41:24.069+01:00I totally agree Mrs Angry. The risk has been asses...I totally agree Mrs Angry. The risk has been assessed (at least to a point) and hence the fitment of restrictors. However, restrictors are fitted as STANDARD practice for all occupied rooms 1st floor and above. Primarily for the benefit of small children, they can easily be overridden with some deft finger work, say by a fireman in the event of a fire, or the adult occupantant. Key operated window restrictors are a different matter, especially if the room occupant is NOT the key holder. Thus if the key operated restrictors were fitted POST construction, then the original Building Fire Plan proposed by the Architect and agreed by Building Control would need to be re-assessed to take this into account.<br /><br />Further, it strikes me that 'tampering' with these restrictors should be obvious. In other words, anyone glancing towards the window should immediately be able to see the restrictor is undone. Otherwise and to my mind, in this particular environment they are not actually fit for purpose.<br /><br />In addition, any glass less than 800mm off finished floor is deemed to be within the 'critical zone' and therefore must be of toughened glass.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-73721156507576464542013-09-21T12:23:13.482+01:002013-09-21T12:23:13.482+01:00I agree with you, Anon, that the low window was cl...I agree with you, Anon, that the low window was clearly hazardous,and it was in a purpose built home, too, which seems odd. But that hazard must or should have been assessed and created all the more reason for a stringent process of checking to be in place.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-75462486767094658842013-09-21T09:55:18.484+01:002013-09-21T09:55:18.484+01:00An opening window 600mm high off the floor is a ha...An opening window 600mm high off the floor is a hazard. Eliminate the hazard and there is no risk.<br />Solution - change the window or install a bar at 900mm.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com