Ventilation vs. Fall Protection

[Fritz]

The following 2 code excerpts seem to create a code conflict.

1203.4.1 Ventilation area required. … 4 percent of the floor Area…..

1405.13.2 Window sills. ….. Glazing between the floor and a height of 24 inches shall be fixed or have openings through which a 4-inch diameter sphere cannot pass.

Exception: Openings that are provided with window guards that comply with ASTM F 2006 or F 2090.

1203.4.1 Requires the minimum opening of window for ventilation.

1405.13.2 States if the sill is too close to the floor, you need to restrict the opening. Thereby making your ventilation non-compliant, or does the exception make it all ok? The window is capable of being opened to meet the ventilation minimum, but when it is open, it is in violation of minimum sill height.

I suspect this falls into that old cake and eat it saying.

 

[Glennman CBO]

Both must apply. The opening must not allow a 4" sphere where under 24", and, you must have the minimum ventilation opening above that point, or I suppose a series of 4" openings that comply, or even a single 4" opening that is long enough to comply.

Just because the opening below 24" must not allow the 4" shere to pass, doesn't mean that is the only opening that will be there.

 

[fatboy]

I agree with Glenman...........

 

[Yikes]

In theory, you could have an operable window that is higher off the floor than a 24" sill, and make up the net area requirement by doing a wider window.

Note that some jurisdicitons such as City of LA have gone a step further and declared that any opewith less than a 42" sill (36" in dwelling units) must meet the requriements for guardrail.

For emergency escape windows at 8' ceiling heights, this can eliminate single-hung or double-hung windows as a design option.

 

[Fritz]

Thank you for your thoughts.

Your thoughts reflect mine also.

Sometimes when talking to a wall, it would be nice to have a window to throw someone out of.

Fritz