Roof Hatch Question
We rent the lower duplex and other tenants rent the upper duplex of a brownstone. The upstairs tenants told us that the roof hatch is not locked. They are planning to put a lock on it to prevent break ins. They also said the hatch is “tarred over” which they explained means that when the…
We rent the lower duplex and other tenants rent the upper duplex of a brownstone. The upstairs tenants told us that the roof hatch is not locked. They are planning to put a lock on it to prevent break ins.
They also said the hatch is “tarred over” which they explained means that when the weather is hot, the tar is soft and the hatch can be opened but in the winter, it is shut tight.
Is this ok/legal/safe? Other than preventing break ins, should they have concerns about having year round access? It doesn’t much affect us as we are in the lower duplex and entry to our place is only on the ground level.
Thanks
Two hook and eyes should be enough to keep out intruders.
BTW, FDNY will tell you that a roof hatch is NOT a fire exit. Heat rises — you’ll never reach the top of the ladder in a fire. Go down or go out; don’t go up.
an “S” hook is all you need if you have the proper latch. If by any very small chance someone in the building ever needed to exit in a fire up there, think of how much smoke there would be. You would not have a chance in the world with any kind lock, its your life but i can’t see how anyone could get in if there is just an S hook. If you don’t have the proper latch, get something that isn’t a lock to work there.
If the fire code says that the hatch can legally be tarred shut and the hatch doesn’t need to be replaced, you can get two latch “locks” to put on opposite ends of the hatch.
They cost about $5 on a hardware store. I got mine at Home Depot.
The latches get screwed onto the hatch while a second knobbed piece is screwed into the wall under the hatch. When closed together the latch makes an L shape and has a twist “lock” that prevents the hatch from being opened from the outside while allowing an easy open from the inside by way of turning the knob that was keeping it locked.
They knobs usually have an eyehole for a lock to be placed there, though the latches can be effectively locked without an extra lock or anything on it. I wouldn’t recommend a lock for it and would recommend that if you want an extra something in the eyehole use a simple S hook can be put through the eyehole to keep it locked for extra prevention. You can open the S hole while blinded if you need to get out in a hurry,
Yes, you must be able to get out in an emergency and you absolutely should have it locked. This is a very common burglary route. Use the hook-and-eyes on the inside.
“A couple of large hook-and-eye combos should be all you need to keep the hatch securely closed.”
This is what I had on my hatch, with one hook-and-eye on each side, and security was never an issue. Tenants could get out easily, and no one ever broke in.
Many of the suggestions are good; provided that the landlord will foot the bill for an upgrade. If that’s not going to happen then you should address the immediate security concern yourselves. The simplest advice above is the best: A couple of large hook-and-eye combos should be all you need to keep the hatch securely closed. A lock would be needless overkill, and possibly dangerous in an emergency.
From the lack of security to the problems of being “tarred-over” mean the landlord should really invest in getting a better hatch. This is an existing liability which will only get worse over time.
You absolutely must have a hatch you can open easily from the inside in case of fire. It should not have a lock.
There are two types. One is a wood thing that fits over the hole and has chains that attach to bolts on the inside. It can be opened from the inside, but not the outside. Sometimes they do stick a bit from the tar melting. You should open it often to make sure it doesn’t stick. You have to apply a lot of force (but don’t break the wood).
The other is a metal hatch with a latch that opens easily from the inside (more easily than the chains) but not the outside.
Go to a place that makes iron metal doors. They will be able to install one. It will cost maybe $400 to $700 or so. The landlord should pay for it. Or you can put in the chain and bolt system yourself, or get a handyman to do it. You should be able to find them at a hardware store or building supply.
I saw the house across from mine burn. It went up in about five minutes. The people inside were trapped and one died. I wouldn’t mess around.
I believe it is against the law to have it physically locked with a lock from the inside. I put the hook and eyes with security spring on it. A better idea is to get the real deal metal cover with a pull opener that unlocks it easily from the inside and provides security from the outside. There is some guy on Mc Donald Ave that sells these. Does anyone know the business name?
Actually, they should already have a second exit in the fire escape. Our hatch in my old rental had the place for a lock but the landlord never locked it. We also thought it would be a good idea to lock it as if anyone got let in the building downstairs, they could just get out into the roof through the hatch and then go down the back fire escape and break into the apartments without being seen from the street.
If it was locked, we could still get on the roof from the back fire escape so it wasn’t really blocking any ways out.