Window security for rear brownstone with fire escape - suggestions??
Hi, I have a 4 story brownstone that was just burglarized. They came in via the parlor floor window from the fire escape. The rear windows have no window guards, but even if they did, you couldn’t install them on at least window for egress to the fire escape. Thus the question: what is the…
Hi, I have a 4 story brownstone that was just burglarized. They came in via the parlor floor window from the fire escape.
The rear windows have no window guards, but even if they did, you couldn’t install them on at least window for egress to the fire escape.
Thus the question: what is the traditional way to secure the rear of the building with a fire escape, yet leave egress options to the fire escape?
security gates on windows with fire escapes are allowed, but the must be of a type and manufacturer approved by the fire department. the gate must be openable without a key.
check out the fdny website. then search for window gates. they discuss requirements and list approved gates.
also, google kendi ironworks. they have a “sunshine” gate that is pretty nice. check with them that it is fdny approved.
Accordion gates ARE ugly. Less ugly are just bar ones, with some scrolls to add a bit of roundness, and also having a door in them that opens into the room, with a latch that can’t be reached from the outside – these are also fire department approved gates.
You can also have your own made by a wrought iron fabricator, in whatever style you want – just have a door, with the latch that can’t be reached from the outside (you’ll see what they look like if you go look at locksmiths who sell gates).
If you paint them white, rather than leave them black, they aren’t quite so ugly. Also hide better behind translucent shades.
I’ve also seen steel ones (not wrought iron ones) made in a whimsical, modern style.
Or, you could just do alarms on the windows instead – that’s what I’d do.
the window guard that nydescendent is talking about is often an accordion style steel (?) gate that fits on the inside so you can push it open from the inside to leave in a fire.
We used to have and iron one in our bedroom where the top was stationary bars and the bottom half swung open into the room when needed.
the other thing you might want to know about those gates that can fit on the inside of the window is that every one I’ve seen is HIDEOUS and block almost all of the light, and make you feel like you’re living in a jail.
Well, I think the point here is to dissuade the thief from breaking windows. Certainly iron window guards do that, but I can’t imagine and don’t think I’ve ever seen window guards on every window on the back of a brownstone. Then again, the fire escape gives intruders access to almost all the windows in the back 9from both the roof or the bottom).
Those with fire escapes, how are you dealing with this issue?
The best & least obtrusive are little gizmos that screw into the frame. You can have several at different heights. They pivot on a hinge to stop the window’s being raised farther than where they’re set. There are several varieties & styles along the same lines & they come in a selection of finishes.
There are window guards that have a door swing with a lock (only accessible from the inside) for this type of application.