Hinged Window Bars

I have been told that bars on bedroom windows must hinged to allow a way to get out in the case of a fire. My question is: what if the fixed bars are in a bedroom that also has a door to the backyard? If the door (presumably) creates a method of egress – do the window bars also need to be hinged? Thanks….

housepoor

in Doors & Windows 4 years and 6 months ago

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hkapstein | 4 years and 6 months ago

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My understanding is that a “sleeping room” must have at least one escape and rescue opening that is a certain size and meets a few other requirements(ie it can’t be too high or small, or impossible to open). A door to the outside would easily meet the requirement, and would in fact be ideal, and the windows would not need this access. However in the bedroom without the door, the window would need to be the escape opening. Would the hinge bars be acceptable? I believe they would.

housepoor | 4 years and 6 months ago

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Thanks Urbandad. Let me elaborate a bit. This is not about guards on the windows in case there are kids there. Rather there are fixed bars on the windows already in two bedrooms. In one bedroom, there is a door leading to the backyard. In the other bedroom, there is no door – just the window with fixed bars. So my questions are: is the bedroom with the fixed bars on the single window and a door ok the way it is now, or does it require bars that are hinged and, for the bedroom without a door and with fixed bars on the single window, do these bars need to be hinged to comply with code? Thanks.

hkapstein | 4 years and 6 months ago

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If the window is a required means of exit on a first floor window, you do not need to put guards on it according to 131.15 of the rules of the city of new york, ie the health code. ” (2) This section shall not apply to windows giving access to fire escapes or to a window on the first floor that is a required means of egress from the dwelling unit. It shall be the duty of each such person who manages or controls a multiple dwelling to ascertain whether such a child resides therein, in accordance with the notice requirements of the Department in 24 RCNY Chapter 12.”

So in my opinion, the door can serve as the required escape opening, and hinged guards would not be required. But if the door does not serve this purpose, perhaps if it has a double cylinder lock, then the window might be considered a required escape opening, and then would be exempt from the guards completely.

But I think technically, when you say that bars on bedroom windows must be hinged, I beli eve that applies only to one window, and that’s only if there is not another opening that qualifies as an escape opening, such as a door.