Roof access for three family?

Hi all! We have a 3 story, 3 family townhouse that we’re currently living in as a 2 family (with a garden rental). We’ve recently renovated, and have been careful to undertake all work in a way that will allow for a relatively easy transition back to a 3 family (apt on each floor) in case we eventually decide to move and rent out the building. In that vein, curious if anyone happens to know if roof access is a requirement for 3 families (i.e., egress)? We have sprinklers, but no fire escape.

For a little more context: we have a pretty standard brownstone layout, and are currently focusing on the typical narrow bedroom on our top floor. You can currently only enter this room through the adjacent bedroom, but we’d like to add another door so that you can walk straight in via the hallway; in doing so, we’re considering extending the footprint of the room, which would swallow up/make private a small amount of hall space where we currently have a ladder leading to ou r roof hatch.

Have looked through prior posts but found mixed guidance re: rules of egress for sprinklered buildings. Any input would be appreciated! Thx so much,
Evan

evan

in General Discussion 2 years and 7 months ago

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jaskin | 2 years and 7 months ago

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you could move the hatch to another location

evan | 2 years and 7 months ago

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Thanks for the input all – guess we’ll keep the roof hatch access as is!

mozeeatupu | 2 years and 7 months ago

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Skylight also requires netting or a wire mesh underneath it.
Becoming a legal 3 means becoming familiar with MDL.

364house | 2 years and 7 months ago

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3 Family building is a Multiple Dwelling – MDL requires access to roof from Public Hall. Required Skylight cannot be used to meet this requirement.

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 2 years and 7 months ago

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I’m confused.; how could a skylight substitute for a roof hatch?

evan | 2 years and 7 months ago

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Aha, very helpful – thanks so much for the clarification! Would you happen to know if skylights can meet this requirement? We have a standard oldschool pyramid style skylight in the hall as well; I suppose we could add a ladder somewhere nearby..

MDR | 2 years and 7 months ago

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Roof access is not required for egress – occupants are expected to go down the sprinkler protected stairway. The hatch and fireproof ladder are required for fire dept. access to the roof. This should be accessed directly from the stair hall, not from a bedroom (which could potentially be locked), but sometimes the ladder and hatch is in a closet in the stair hall.