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Anybody have any first hand experience with code interpretation regarding bedroom egress?
The situation is this – second floor bedroom has a door that leads into a hall. Directly across from that door is access to stairs down as well as a patio type door that leads directly out to a small balcony.
From that same bedroom you can go through the walk-in closet (no door) then through the bathroom and out the other side which leads to another set of stairs down to the first floor or through the master bedroom to another patio door and out onto a large deck.
So the bedroom has two exits. What it does not have is an egress window. The windows are tall and narrow.
So – am I headed for egress problems with code or does the fact that I have 2 exits satisfy that?
Thanks for any input!
Peter
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Peter, how big is the closet/bedroom door? If it's at least 2'-6" and 6'-6" you have 2 means of egress. There are formulas for how far you have to travel to get out of the house, but your case sounds reasonable to me. One way to find out--ask your local inspector.
*Perhaps the real question is this: are you altering or remodeling the room in question? If you are not, you may be able to "grandfather" in the existing window. However, if you ARE remodeling the room, you MUST comply with egress window code specifications. You should by all means consult your local codes inspector to determine how THEY interpret the code.The basic thinking goes something like this: how do your children escape the building if there is fire in the hallway(s) outside their room?The Sweaty Carpenter
*You also consider egress is not just for escape but for firefighters to get in through opening.
*"An outside window or an exterior door for emergency escape is not required in buildings where the sleeping room is provided with a door to a corridor having access to two remote exits in opposite directions." That's what my code book says, Ken. They'd prefer a window or exterior door, but I think two doors that lead to two different exits would pass inspection here.Mike
*Last resort... take off doors to room @ inspection time and call it an office, storage, whatever.
*GW, I believe you are correct. It is my understanding that the window egress code in Ohio was designed around a firefighter being able to enter the space with a tank on his back. That obviously requires a much larger opening than, for example, a child exiting.
*Section 310 of the International One-and Two-Family Dwelling Code (1998)Paragraph 310.1 Emergency escape Required:"Every sleeping room shall have at least one openable windoe or exterior door approved for emergency escape or rescue. The units must be operable from the inside to a full clear opening without the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge. Where windows are provided as a means of escape or rescue, they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window from the inside."It seems the main objectives of this building code are to enable both the escape of occupants in the room, as well as to provide access for rescue workers. To subvert the intent or purpose of this code is irresponsible and may lead to death or injury of your clients and their children. To simply "modify" the appearance of the room (i.e. make it appear as a closet, storage space, etc.) for the purpose of fooling the inspector is in my opinion, foolish and is an indication of a contractor who could care less about his client.
*Well, what if they stiffed you for 5% on the final bill?
*I'd hate to think that I had been responsible for incinerating only five percent of his family. The two issues are separate. As much as I respect you, Jim, I am not sure what you are getting at.Mike, What code book is that you quote from?
*The real issue here is not whether you can technically pass the code or not. You should always have a window (code sized) in a bedroom for the simple reason that this is the primary and quickest way for a fire rescue team to enter the room.
*Piffin, the Massachusetts State Building Code, 6th ed., based on BOCA. Obviously an exterior window or door is preferable, but the book allows a second door leading to a seperate corridor.I think Jim was joking. Hard to tell when he keeps a straight face.
*Yeah, I was just joking. Guess I should use those little smiley symbols more. I'm all for people's safety and would never fudge on something as important as egress.
*I sure like what some have said that the real question to be answered is: "Can whoever is in the room get out? and Can a rescuer in full turnouts get in?"The code is designed to assure that. But, apply the "My Family Test". Would I want my family in that situation?For the minority who are trying to fake out the inspector, well: "May you or yours be in the room when no one can get in and they can't get out". Sound cruel doesn't it? Well that is exactly how your point of view sounds to me.
*I suspected as much, if it were Luka, I'd have no doubt
*The code is by its nature a lumbering document that tries to satisfy an infinte number of building scenarios. Sometimes an inspector gets his pencil up his butt and cannot see past the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. If that narrow window is reasonably wide enough to get in and out, I wouldn't worry about safety one bit.