No rear door

[Randal P. Reinhart]

I inspected a home recently that had no rear door. The only entry / exit was the front door. It is newer construction; circa 2000.
Any thoughts?

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by rreinhart

I inspected a home recently that had no rear door. The only entry / exit was the front door. It is newer construction; circa 2000.
Any thoughts?

No garage, sliding door?

Should have two means of egress.

[Randal P. Reinhart]

There was a garage overhead door; but no service door. There was no sliding door.

[Michael R. Boyett]

The 2003 IRC only requires one exit door if it is 36" or more wide, side hinged, 6'8" or more tall, floor or landing on each side, readily openable w/o use of key and provides direct access from the habitable portions w/o travel thru a garage.

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by mboyett

The 2003 IRC only requires one exit door if it is 36" or more wide, side hinged, 6'8" or more tall, floor or landing on each side, readily openable w/o use of key and provides direct access from the habitable portions w/o travel thru a garage.

Best practices IMO would be two means of egress.

[iniquette]

Code or no code. I would suggest another exit be installed in case of emergency. You never know when that route could be blocked if the occupants need to exit immediately. so I would just suggest that whether it is code or not. Because after all were not code inspectors. If you get flack for suggesting this from a realtor, just tell them(in front of the client) that you are just looking out for your customers well being. This normally gets them every time, and it may get you an inspection or two from them, but that's not the whole point.

I would just suggest another exit option.

[Michael R. Boyett]

I look at it on a case by case basis for that issue and similar ones. For instance, I inspect many, many small condo's near the university and elsewhere that only have a front entry door. I do not call out as 'in need of repair' the fact that the condo only has one door as long as it meets the physical requirements I outlined above.

[rmaday]

What if it was 2" short?

How would that be more or less safe in a fire?

[Michael R. Boyett]

Originally Posted by rmaday

What if it was 2" short?

I would write it up as being 2" short of generally accepted construction practices. Maybe I don't understand your question.

[rmaday]

This was the question...

Originally Posted by rmaday

How would that be more or less safe in a fire?

[Michael R. Boyett]

I didn't write the spec...you'll need to ask someone at ICC about that.

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by mboyett

I didn't write the spec...you'll need to ask someone at ICC about that.

I hear ya, that's why I'm glad we can recommend things that aren't necessarily in the code (minimum standards).

[Scott Gilligan, CMI]

You would have to check the local building code to see if they made any exceptions, alterations, or amendments to be sure if a second door is needed. I would document it and recommend that the buyer do their due dilegence investigation and consult with an AHJ to determine if that particular situation is to local building code.

[Mark Thorman]

Richard, I don't understand your need to go beyond accepted building codes. If it is a 3 bedroom house with one main entry of 36 inches and it is built to accepted building codes there should be 4 emergancy egress openings out of the home. To recommend more is going beyond the scope of a home inspection and gives us a reputation for making up things as we go.

www.mauihomeinspections.com

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

Richard, I don't understand your need to go beyond accepted building codes.

Code = minimum standard. IMO

Do you think that codes are "best practices"?
Do you recomend upgrade to GFCI outlets in a 1960's home?

BTW, I don't do code inspections.

*edit*
Also, we can't require or enforce anything. We can advise our clients about potential hazards.
*end edit*