Egress Requirements for Loft Condo Bedroom

[CuriousCat511]

I own a loft style condo in Chicago city limits. None of the bedrooms have exterior windows or are fully enclosed. There are partial height walls (~3 foot gap between top of wall and ceiling), which I believe are intended to allow natural light from the other living spaces that do have windows.

I'm looking to fully enclose the rooms to provide more privacy and sound insulation. I'm planning to put glass from the top of the partial walls to the ceiling. I'm wondering if there are code requirements in this situation? Does the glass need to include functional windows to allow egress?

Three contractors have given me three different answers:
-I don't know
-No one cares
-You need a window so you have a 2nd mode of egress.

Additional details:
-Each bedroom has a functional door to another living space in the condo
-The entire unit has a sprinkler system
-The bedrooms include a powered vent, similar to what you would find in a bathroom
-I live on the 5th floor
-The common hallway on each floor has access to two stairwells

 

[ICE]

The egress issue is not valid. The three foot gap may allow for conditioned air circulation.

 

[CuriousCat511]

The egress issue is not valid. The three foot gap may allow for conditioned air circulation.

By not valid, do you mean it's not an issue and I don't need to worry about windows? If so, do you mind explaining in case I need to share with the contractor or building manager?

That's a good point about the air circulation, which I should have mentioned earlier. Each bedroom has its own air register.

 

[e hilton]

Does the glass need to include functional windows to allow egress?

Are you asking if a window within 3 ft of the ceiling needs to be operable? Are you planning to have ladders on both sides of the wall?

 

[CuriousCat511]

Are you asking if a window within 3 ft of the ceiling needs to be operable? Are you planning to have ladders on both sides of the wall?

Yes, I guess that is what I am asking. I'm also asking if I'm allowed to enclose the room if that only leaves one point of egress (the door).

Please go easy on me, I'm not familiar with the rules and certainly didn't make them.

 

[ICE]

Here’s two reasons why the EERO would not be required. Your condo is sprinklered and on the fifth floor. Unless Chicago amended the code that was adopted when your condo was constructed, I’m confident that what I have quoted was valid at that time….but hey now….who knows. It is obvious that there was never more than one way out and the construction was approved.


1030.1 General. In addition to the means of egress required by this chapter, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be provided in the following occupancies:
1. Group R-2 occupancies located in stories with only one exit or access to only one exit as permitted by Tables 1006.3.3(1) and 1006.3.3(2).
2. Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies.
Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall have not fewer than one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exceptions:
1. In Groups R-1 and R-2 occupancies constructed of Type I, Type IIA, Type IIIA or Type IV construction equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1

 

[CuriousCat511]

Here’s two reasons why the EERO would not be required. Your condo is sprinklered and on the fifth floor. Unless Chicago amended the code that was adopted when your condo was constructed, I’m confident that what I have quoted was valid at that time….but hey now….who knows. It is obvious that there was never more than one way out and the construction was approved.


1030.1 General. In addition to the means of egress required by this chapter, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be provided in the following occupancies:
1. Group R-2 occupancies located in stories with only one exit or access to only one exit as permitted by Tables 1006.3.3(1) and 1006.3.3(2).
2. Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies.
Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall have not fewer than one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

Exceptions:
1. In Groups R-1 and R-2 occupancies constructed of Type I, Type IIA, Type IIIA or Type IV construction equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1

Thanks ICE, that's exactly the info I was looking for!