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ArvavanHarben23 Dec 2018 11:24Hello,
we have purchased an existing building (built in 2005). The attic floor (ground floor, first floor, attic) with sloped ceilings is labeled as "storage" in the limited documents we have, but it is included in the living area calculation and has been finished accordingly. The roof window is large enough to serve as a secondary escape route.
During an inspection with a building expert, it was mentioned that exterior steps might be required to provide access for the fire department. We are willing to retrofit these if necessary, but we are surprised that they are not already in place.
How and where (contact person? building authority? fire department? roofing contractor?) can we clarify whether we need to add these and what exactly the requirements would be?
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
we have purchased an existing building (built in 2005). The attic floor (ground floor, first floor, attic) with sloped ceilings is labeled as "storage" in the limited documents we have, but it is included in the living area calculation and has been finished accordingly. The roof window is large enough to serve as a secondary escape route.
During an inspection with a building expert, it was mentioned that exterior steps might be required to provide access for the fire department. We are willing to retrofit these if necessary, but we are surprised that they are not already in place.
How and where (contact person? building authority? fire department? roofing contractor?) can we clarify whether we need to add these and what exactly the requirements would be?
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
As far as I know:
Fundamental regulations are covered by the regional building code, but no inspector or expert usually comes into play for that. As a professional, you know this when building the house, so this is expertise from the architect.
Certainly also from the roofer.
In my opinion, involving the building authority is not correct.
We recently had a discussion regarding a residential unit. In that case, a second means of escape per unit was sufficient.
Do you only have the single roof window upstairs, or are there already several?
Fundamental regulations are covered by the regional building code, but no inspector or expert usually comes into play for that. As a professional, you know this when building the house, so this is expertise from the architect.
Certainly also from the roofer.
In my opinion, involving the building authority is not correct.
We recently had a discussion regarding a residential unit. In that case, a second means of escape per unit was sufficient.
Do you only have the single roof window upstairs, or are there already several?
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ArvavanHarben23 Dec 2018 22:33Hello,
thank you for the quick reply.
Yes, there are two roof windows; however, one faces a footpath where I can hardly imagine a turntable ladder being used, and the other one faces the street as described.
So, I understand you correctly that I basically don’t need to worry about this anymore because it was probably checked as part of the building permit / planning permission process and is therefore permitted (and also practically feasible if needed)?
thank you for the quick reply.
Yes, there are two roof windows; however, one faces a footpath where I can hardly imagine a turntable ladder being used, and the other one faces the street as described.
So, I understand you correctly that I basically don’t need to worry about this anymore because it was probably checked as part of the building permit / planning permission process and is therefore permitted (and also practically feasible if needed)?
ArvavanHarben schrieb:
Hello,
thank you for the quick reply.
Yes, there are two skylights, but one faces a walkway where I can hardly imagine using an aerial ladder, the other one described faces the street.
So I basically understand you correctly that I shouldn’t really worry about this because it was probably reviewed as part of the building permit / planning permission and is therefore allowed (and also practically feasible if needed)?No, only an attic space that is not a habitable room was approved.
Your attic needs a second emergency escape route in addition to the staircase, which is the first one. If there is a fire downstairs, you need to be able to get out somewhere upstairs.
Do you have a gable window at all?
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ArvavanHarben24 Dec 2018 00:04The room has these two windows. As I mentioned, I am aware that there must be two escape routes, and in terms of size, the roof windows are sufficient. Therefore, my question is whether that is enough or if an additional external stepping point (which does not currently exist) is actually required, or rather: who is the appropriate contact person for this question?
The proper contact would probably have been the building authority, either during construction or when changing the use of the property. Now, no one there checks proactively. You can inquire with them, but you might also wake sleeping dogs (a change of use could lead to additional requirements or consequences due to the increased living area).
We are talking about a rescue route here, not an escape route. So I would ask the person who would actually be accessing it in an emergency, namely the fire department. Usually, roof windows are accessed by ladder, but in case of fire with smoke, those small steps and the lack of safety measures are far too dangerous.
We are talking about a rescue route here, not an escape route. So I would ask the person who would actually be accessing it in an emergency, namely the fire department. Usually, roof windows are accessed by ladder, but in case of fire with smoke, those small steps and the lack of safety measures are far too dangerous.
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