|
Posted by Wayne Whitney on March 2, 2008, 5:30 pm
> Thanks for the replies! So, it seems that, like anything governent,
> we are always the screwed ones...
Ultimately, the homeowner is responsible for meeting the building
code. Much of the building code is based on safety, so it is a good
idea to meet it. So even if you didn't _have_ to make a change here,
it would still be a good idea to make a change.
> The code specifies two minimum dimensions for the window open area
> and the minimum open area. The problem (I just found) is that if
> you multiply the two dimensions the result is smaller than the
> minimum open area. It seems intentionally written to catch people.
No, it is written that way to provide the maximum flexibility while
still providing what is needed. The dimensions are sized so that if a
firefighter needs to gain access to the bedroom from outside (e.g. to
rescue the occupant in a fire), he/she can fit through. Since a
person can turn various ways, it doesn't matter whether you provide
the required area tall and skinny or short and fat, as long as neither
of the dimensions gets too small.
> The solution I can see that wold cause the least impact is cutting
> down the existing window and replacing it by a big woodboard hinged
> on one side and attached to the frame of the window to be replaced.
If the existing window is a double hung, then replacing it will a
casement may provide the requisite area. To minimize the disruption,
you could use a "replacement window" casement, rather than a "new
construction" casement.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Wayne
| 
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap