Roofdeck Fire Escape
I recently moved into a third floor brownstone apartment with a deck (built on the roof of the extension of the apartment below). The building has a fire escape – one set of stairs goes from the apartment above us to the deck and the other is off of the deck (literally a metal ladder…
I recently moved into a third floor brownstone apartment with a deck (built on the roof of the extension of the apartment below). The building has a fire escape – one set of stairs goes from the apartment above us to the deck and the other is off of the deck (literally a metal ladder on the side of the building). Where the fire escape leads off of the deck is an opening a few feet wide for access to the ladder down the side of the building. The opening really worries me as it is drop — I have visions of people accidentally falling off of our deck! Does anyone know if we could building a latch door – something we would only close while people are outside — or if this violates building codes, etc.?
It’s difficult to envision what you are attempting to describe. However, here are some basics: a legal deck has to have a full perimeter 3 ft. 6 inch high railing. Don’t install anything that impedes passage along the escape route, however. Check the New York State multiple dwellings law on line — there are pages and pages of rules about fire escapes. Fun reading.