jpowell
Bronze Member
Hi guys,
My first post here, but I've been browsing the forums for a long time. Thanks for the good info!
I have an egress window with a sill 12" above the floor. It is about 14' above exterior grade. But, there is a roof about 2' below the window sill outside. I am requiring an opening limiting device on the window. But I wonder about that roof out there and whether it should be considered in this code interpretation.
R612.2 To paraphrase: Requires windows whose sill is >72" above the finished grade or surface below to have a sill >24" above finished floor or the opening shall be limited to <4".
This is an important child fall protection measure. My question is about how you interpret the letter of the code. The commentary ignores the "or surface below" part and only talks about the grade or ground below. I think this is the right way to view it. If the kid falls out the window, are they safe? The way I view it is if they fall out the window, land on a roof 2' below, then roll down the roof to fall 10' to the ground - that is not safe.
On the other hand, what if it is a flat roof? Similar to a deck. At what point does a roof become low enough slope to be safe?...
My first post here, but I've been browsing the forums for a long time. Thanks for the good info!
I have an egress window with a sill 12" above the floor. It is about 14' above exterior grade. But, there is a roof about 2' below the window sill outside. I am requiring an opening limiting device on the window. But I wonder about that roof out there and whether it should be considered in this code interpretation.
R612.2 To paraphrase: Requires windows whose sill is >72" above the finished grade or surface below to have a sill >24" above finished floor or the opening shall be limited to <4".
This is an important child fall protection measure. My question is about how you interpret the letter of the code. The commentary ignores the "or surface below" part and only talks about the grade or ground below. I think this is the right way to view it. If the kid falls out the window, are they safe? The way I view it is if they fall out the window, land on a roof 2' below, then roll down the roof to fall 10' to the ground - that is not safe.
On the other hand, what if it is a flat roof? Similar to a deck. At what point does a roof become low enough slope to be safe?...