Sal's Dad
Member
Hello, I am new to this forum, A DIYer with a background in construction; I am currently building a detached garage with an apartment above, in Rhode Island.
In the one-bedroom apartment, I have a particular casement window in mind, but it is unclear whether it meets code, depending on the hardware selected; it is certainly close to 5.7 SF, in any case it seems like a big opening to me.
But then I made the mistake of looking at the RI Building code, and found this:
R310.1.1 Delete R310.1.1 and substitute the following:
R310.1.1 Minimum opening area.
All emergency and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 4.4 square feet. Where the net clear opening dimensions specified below can be met only with window sashes easily removable without the use of keys, tools or excessive force, the net clear opening area shall be 5.7 square feet.
Now I am usually pretty good at reading comprehension, but I am lost here! Presumably the intention is that a 4.4SF opening is OK, UNLESS you need tools, keys, or force, in which case the larger opening is needed. But that's not what it says. Or is it?
If I had a good relationship with the Codes Officer, it could be a fun conversation, but he has been an unhelpful curmudgeon so far, and I don't want to come across as a smart-a--.
Ever seen language like this?
Thanks
Sal's Dad
In the one-bedroom apartment, I have a particular casement window in mind, but it is unclear whether it meets code, depending on the hardware selected; it is certainly close to 5.7 SF, in any case it seems like a big opening to me.
But then I made the mistake of looking at the RI Building code, and found this:
R310.1.1 Delete R310.1.1 and substitute the following:
R310.1.1 Minimum opening area.
All emergency and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 4.4 square feet. Where the net clear opening dimensions specified below can be met only with window sashes easily removable without the use of keys, tools or excessive force, the net clear opening area shall be 5.7 square feet.
Now I am usually pretty good at reading comprehension, but I am lost here! Presumably the intention is that a 4.4SF opening is OK, UNLESS you need tools, keys, or force, in which case the larger opening is needed. But that's not what it says. Or is it?
If I had a good relationship with the Codes Officer, it could be a fun conversation, but he has been an unhelpful curmudgeon so far, and I don't want to come across as a smart-a--.
Ever seen language like this?
Thanks
Sal's Dad