ᐅ 2. Emergency escape routes, emergency hand cranks, and parapet height under 60 cm
Created on: 9 Feb 2022 08:08
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Diany4605D
Diany46059 Feb 2022 08:08I am hoping for some help here again because I am beginning to seriously doubt the full competence of my architect. Not only did he cost us €75,000 in KfW funding by simply not getting things done on time, now he is starting to make changes to the house that I can neither believe nor find anywhere documented.
It’s about second escape routes in the house. Hopefully, one day we will live in our new house in Baden-Württemberg. Every window in the house has electric exterior blinds without exception. The architect has already marked one window on each floor as a second escape route, which MUST be equipped with an emergency manual crank. To this day, I don’t know if this is really a mandatory requirement for exterior blinds, only for roller shutters, or if it is required at all. Online you find conflicting information—it’s a complete mess. Not only is it definitely bad from an energy-efficiency perspective to have a hole with a metal rod going from inside outwards, but with our sun protection manufacturer (Roma), it seems a radio motor cannot be combined with a crank. So now something different has to be done, which will again cost time, nerves, and above all, money.
Secondly, through a plan change, he has now lowered the window sills on these windows and others to under 60cm (24 inches). Luckily, we noticed this and asked why he had done it—now you literally can’t put anything on the sill without it looking terrible. His answer was that this is now required by regulation, that the sill at a second escape route must not be higher than 60cm (24 inches). And because it would look awkward in the same room otherwise, he extended all the windows accordingly. I absolutely can’t find any evidence for this nonsense anywhere. Everywhere I find only 120cm (47 inches) stated. Nothing about 85cm (33 inches) no longer being allowed (which was the previous measurement), and certainly nothing about 60cm (24 inches).
The third issue is that we are planning an additional one-room granny flat. Apparently, the same applies here; again, all the window sills are lowered to 60cm (24 inches). But what I also could not find is whether it can really be mandatory to design a second escape route window with an emergency manual crank in a one-room apartment (!) less than 4m (13 feet) from the front door (which is presumably the primary escape route). In the same room—that just can’t be right, can it?
Please do not comment with things like: “just leave out the exterior blinds,” or “skip the motor,” etc. I am at my wit’s end because my dream has turned into the worst nightmare of my life over the last three weeks. I am picky and a perfectionist, I know that—I just have absolutely no more trust in this architect and don’t believe a single word he says anymore. Please just try to understand me and help if you can, especially if you have any insight into the escape route regulations in Baden-Württemberg.
Thank you very much for your understanding.
It’s about second escape routes in the house. Hopefully, one day we will live in our new house in Baden-Württemberg. Every window in the house has electric exterior blinds without exception. The architect has already marked one window on each floor as a second escape route, which MUST be equipped with an emergency manual crank. To this day, I don’t know if this is really a mandatory requirement for exterior blinds, only for roller shutters, or if it is required at all. Online you find conflicting information—it’s a complete mess. Not only is it definitely bad from an energy-efficiency perspective to have a hole with a metal rod going from inside outwards, but with our sun protection manufacturer (Roma), it seems a radio motor cannot be combined with a crank. So now something different has to be done, which will again cost time, nerves, and above all, money.
Secondly, through a plan change, he has now lowered the window sills on these windows and others to under 60cm (24 inches). Luckily, we noticed this and asked why he had done it—now you literally can’t put anything on the sill without it looking terrible. His answer was that this is now required by regulation, that the sill at a second escape route must not be higher than 60cm (24 inches). And because it would look awkward in the same room otherwise, he extended all the windows accordingly. I absolutely can’t find any evidence for this nonsense anywhere. Everywhere I find only 120cm (47 inches) stated. Nothing about 85cm (33 inches) no longer being allowed (which was the previous measurement), and certainly nothing about 60cm (24 inches).
The third issue is that we are planning an additional one-room granny flat. Apparently, the same applies here; again, all the window sills are lowered to 60cm (24 inches). But what I also could not find is whether it can really be mandatory to design a second escape route window with an emergency manual crank in a one-room apartment (!) less than 4m (13 feet) from the front door (which is presumably the primary escape route). In the same room—that just can’t be right, can it?
Please do not comment with things like: “just leave out the exterior blinds,” or “skip the motor,” etc. I am at my wit’s end because my dream has turned into the worst nightmare of my life over the last three weeks. I am picky and a perfectionist, I know that—I just have absolutely no more trust in this architect and don’t believe a single word he says anymore. Please just try to understand me and help if you can, especially if you have any insight into the escape route regulations in Baden-Württemberg.
Thank you very much for your understanding.
M
Myrna_Loy9 Feb 2022 08:50Then ask for the standards and regulations he is referring to. He should provide you with written proof, and that will be sufficient.
M
Myrna_Loy9 Feb 2022 08:51Then ask about the regulations and request that they provide written proof. Where is the problem?
I am not familiar with the exact regulations in Baden-Württemberg, but we had the same issues here in North Rhine-Westphalia. We also installed Roma roller blinds with radio motors and had to lower a parapet in the attic as well as designate a terrace door on the ground floor (also not far from the front door) as a second emergency exit.
The manual crank can also be equipped with a bayonet joint. This way, you only have a small metal part mounted on the wall and can remove the actual crank handle. This is probably not allowed by regulations, but technically feasible. The second option is a battery backup for the motor, since the manual crank is intended for power outages. Roma provides information on this, and as I understand it, this is the discreet, elegant, and compliant solution.
For low parapets, please also consider fall protection.
The manual crank can also be equipped with a bayonet joint. This way, you only have a small metal part mounted on the wall and can remove the actual crank handle. This is probably not allowed by regulations, but technically feasible. The second option is a battery backup for the motor, since the manual crank is intended for power outages. Roma provides information on this, and as I understand it, this is the discreet, elegant, and compliant solution.
For low parapets, please also consider fall protection.
First of all, I wish you continued strength and perseverance so that your dream home can soon be a dream home again and the "horror stories" are quickly forgotten!
As Myrna already mentioned, have the relevant requirements and standards explained to you so that you can convince yourself, instead of having to rely solely on what he says.
The emergency manual crank, at least once per floor, is indeed a MUST.
The low parapet height surprises me a bit, but I cannot rule out that there might be a corresponding regulation in Baden-Württemberg. Here in North Rhine-Westphalia, at least until the end of 2021, there was no such rule, or neither the architect nor the building authority paid attention to it during approval.
I also assume that the additional window in the one-room apartment is required.
There must be an alternative escape route in case the door is inaccessible or cannot be opened in the event of a fire (stuck, locked, etc.).
Good luck!
As Myrna already mentioned, have the relevant requirements and standards explained to you so that you can convince yourself, instead of having to rely solely on what he says.
The emergency manual crank, at least once per floor, is indeed a MUST.
The low parapet height surprises me a bit, but I cannot rule out that there might be a corresponding regulation in Baden-Württemberg. Here in North Rhine-Westphalia, at least until the end of 2021, there was no such rule, or neither the architect nor the building authority paid attention to it during approval.
I also assume that the additional window in the one-room apartment is required.
There must be an alternative escape route in case the door is inaccessible or cannot be opened in the event of a fire (stuck, locked, etc.).
Good luck!
B
Benutzer2009 Feb 2022 09:57netuser schrieb:
The emergency hand crank, at least one per floor, is indeed a MUST. No, that is not entirely correct. For example, there are also manufacturers of slatted blinds who equip one slat with a predefined breaking point. Alternatively, a spring system may be installed. So there are several options, not just the emergency hand crank. You have to see what each manufacturer can offer.
Diany4605 schrieb:
Their answer was that this is now regulation: the parapet at a second means of escape must not be higher than 60cm (24 inches). That would be so new that it should have just come into effect and is probably not yet published. It is 120cm (47 inches) or, in the attic, also with an escape aid, provided the (roof) window is installed higher.
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