Master bedroom has no window...

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

PS. If it doesn't have a closet, I'm calling it a den.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Even an Armoir don't count?

Those were around before the modern closest!!

Just a question.

Marcel

[John Onofrey]

But Marcel, we no longer live in caves! Well, most of us.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Real funny John.

Marcel

[Peter C. Russell]

We should all remember life safety codes, which in most towns/cities require egress not for the resident trapped inside but the first responder trying to save them, thus requiring X amount of space with an air pack on to rescue whoever is trapped inside

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Peter;

As a member of the NFPA #2374956, I can relate very well to what your are pointing out.

Thank you

Marcel

[Peter C. Russell]

Thank you Marcel!
I hope evreyone will err on the side of our clients saftey and not just codes.

[John Onofrey]

Originally Posted by prussell

We should all remember life safety codes, which in most towns/cities require egress not for the resident trapped inside but the first responder trying to save them, thus requiring X amount of space with an air pack on to rescue whoever is trapped inside

But what if the Armoire can't fit through it?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

As a long time fire fighter = you make it fit and do what you have to do to save a life. Same thing would apply to a Home inspection.

Marcel

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by jwilliams4

Bedroom Definition

Q. Do you have a definition of a bedroom in the Dwelling Code? I'm currently building a house which has a specific room dedicated as a exercise/weight room. The inspector is calling it a bedroom and requiring me to install smoke alarms and an egress window. This room is not a bedroom and I feel it's wrong for the inspector to insist on these requirements. Doesn't a bedroom have to have a closet or something like that? This room doesn't have a closet and has a lot of special wiring done to accommodate the exercise equipment, which should make it obvious we plan on using it for a exercise/weight room.
A. The Dwelling Code does not define bedroom, so we need to go to the dictionary for a definition. The definition in the dictionary is; "bed-room: a room furnished with a bed and intended primarily for sleeping."
It is not uncommon for someone to submit a set of plans which has an extra room designated as a den, office, weight room, library, etc. The primary use in these rooms is not intended for sleeping. However some contractors and/or homeowners may designate a room as a den or office to circumvent the local SDC's (System Development Charges) or septic tank requirements or sometimes the original owner may use this room as it was designated on the plans, but the next owner has a larger family or their mother-law living with them and they end up using the "den" as a bedroom. The cost of smoke detection and appropriate egress windows is small compare to the cost of a human life, therefore it may be advantageous for the local jurisdiction to require these safety provisions, but the homeowner/contractor should be given the benefit of the doubt for the purpose of the SDC's. It is inappropriate for a jurisdiction to tell a homeowner/contractor how each room of their home will be used or classified. There are many times when it is obvious the room in question is not a bedroom, i.e. no closets, a door leading to the outside to be used as a office entrance, wall of shelving for library use, special provisions for exercise equipment, etc. These rooms need to be treated as designate on the plans, not based on speculated future use. If, however, this room had a closet in it and the only distinguishing difference is that it's called a "den" on the plan, then the requirements for smoke detectors and egress windows would be appropriate.


I found this in the Oregon Salem Newsletter a whole long time ago. I think it has to do with Oregon interpretation.

Jae

The same thing happens here in Ontario as far as the plans showing only 4 bedrooms and 1 den.The reason they do this here is for HVAC systems,they would have to be designed under a differant part of the code and it can get costly.

For my fellow Ontario inspectors Under 5 bedrooms Part 9---5 bedrooms and Over part 6

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by jonofrey

the only emergency escape opening is in the master bathroom water closet. I an interested in opinions regarding this because it does not seem to be clear in section R310 of the IRC.

Does the emergency escape opening have to be in the sleeping room itself or does the adjoining bathromm WC window qualify?

A "study" is listed as a bedroom by the seller. There are two door openings into the room but not directly to the exterior. Does this room qualify as a sleeping room?


Appreciate your input.

John

I will give my input,allthough our codes are similar they are not the same,I'm posting more for my fellow NACHI HI [Canada].

I agree with Jeff window has to be in room served.With one exception in our code.

Without quoting the code the only way the room that you mentioned without a window [means of egress] is considered a sleeping area is if there is a door on the same floor as the bedroom which provides direct access to exterior.And to meet the glass area of 5% [in your case I think it's 8%] a skylight will suffice.9.7.1.3[1][a][b]

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Secondary Means of Escape

24.2.2.3.1 It shall be a door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling at street or ground level that is independent of and remote from the primary means of escape.

24.2.2.2.3.3 It shall be an outside window or door operable from the inside without the use of tools, keys, or special effort and shall provide a clear opening of not less than 5.7 sq.ft.. The width shall be not less than 20 in. and the height shall be not less than 24". The bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44"above the floor.

Marcel
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Isn't this what it's all about?
I believe natural light was or will be another issue.

Marcel
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[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Marcel

Yes similar to your code.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

Marcel

Yes similar to your code.

Pardon my chuckles at this moment Mario, it just reminds me of on the job Architects drawings that say similar, typical, but are not the same. ha. ha.
Always a challenge!!

Marcel

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Pardon my chuckles at this moment Mario, it just reminds me of on the job Architects drawings that say similar, typical, but are not the same. ha. ha.
Always a challenge!!

Marcel

Marcel

Have you stopped with the chuckles?

I think that John challenged all of us with his post.It is nice to see how the code is interpreted throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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