Iron Window Security Bars out of Fire Code?
We are currently in the process of buying a 3-story limestone townhouse in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Currently, there are bars on the garden and parlor floors, both on the front and back windows. The garden floor has a door in the front and back, while the parlor floor has only a front door. Recently, the…
We are currently in the process of buying a 3-story limestone townhouse in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Currently, there are bars on the garden and parlor floors, both on the front and back windows. The garden floor has a door in the front and back, while the parlor floor has only a front door.
Recently, the bank’s appraiser informed them that the iron security bars on the house are out of fire code.
First, the Bank’s comments: “As of right now, the appraiser is noting that the home is not up to code with the bars in the window. It is being viewed as a fire hazard since the windows are considered to be fire escape routes and if they are blocked by bars, then the routes do not exist.”
Then the appraiser’s vague feedback via the bank: “As per building department, security release latches are required on the ground floor, next to the exterior stairs and fire escapes. Security release latches are also required if children occupy the apartment.”
We have been unable to get a clear definition from the appraiser about what he is calling the “ground floor†and we do not have any children.
Does anyone know what exactly the Fire Code states when it comes to iron window security bars? Is there a different code between the garden and parlor floors? We have not been able to find information anywhere.
Johnny definitely keep the bars in place on your ground floor back windows, as the previous poster stated you can have the gates modified… you can have an a/c bay added.
Johnny, just put an AC box and keep the bars for security reasons on the ground floor back windows.
Forgive me if this is overly dumb, but is it required to have bars on the bottom floor windows? On the front it seems to make a lot of sense, but I have original bars in the back and my tenants wanted to take them out for an a/c. Seemed reasonable to me ’cause access to back yard is only through other folks’ houses but was wondering about insurance liability and such.
Original window bars are grandfathered, so they are not in violation of the fire code. If you install window bars now, you must install a lock/security latch that can be opened from the inside. I had to do that about 10 years ago when I reinstalled new ground floor window bars that had been removed by the previous owner decades before. The bars are pretty much identical to the originals except that they are encased in a frame that swings out when open and includes the locking mechanism.
When I was refiing a few years ago, I ran into the same problem. I found that the appraiser, loan officer and lender were all from places other than NYC, especially the lender, who was in the midwest. The appraiser and loan officer were from Long Island. I explained that all of the row houses in New York City had ground floor bars, most since the day they were built, and that on the first floor, I had 2 means of exit, plus the stairs to the upper floors. Long story short, lender couldn’t comprehend, it sounded low rent and drug dealer to them. I had even sent photgraphs of the original blueprints which show the bars. I ended up with a different lender, one who never even mentioned the existence of bars.
You may need to find a different appraiser/lender who is more familiar with New York City houses and construction. I also checked with FDNY, and was told that I was fine, as per the 2 means of exit.
If bars were that dangerous and/or illegal, I hardly think that thousands of homes in this city would still have the originals in their original condition.
I had a question about fire codes as well, though not as extensive as you. I walked to my neighborhood fire house and asked the captain to come and take a look. They know, and have books specifying fire codes.