Sleeping rooms below the fourth story shall have at least one operable window or exterior door approved for emergency escape or rescue. The units shall be operable from the inside to provide a full clear opening without the use of separate tools or special knowledge and shall open directly onto a public way or a yard or court located on the same lot as the building.
(A) Escape window requirements. An escape window from a sleeping room shall have a minimum net clear opening of five square feet. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches and the minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. The finished sill shall not be more than 48 inches above the floor. If necessary to add a window, the new window shall meet the requirements of the Building Code for a new escape window.
(B) Replacement escape windows. When replacing an existing escape window, the replacement window shall meet the minimum requirements of an escape window as defined in this chapter.
(C) Security locks. When an exit door from a dwelling unit is required to provide security from unlawful entry, the door shall be provided with a dead-bolt lock or approved device, which is operable from the inside without the use of a key, special knowledge, or extraordinary effort.
(D) Inadequate exits.
(1) Except for those buildings or portions thereof that have been provided with adequate exit facilities conforming to the provisions of this chapter, buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities were installed in violation of ordinance requirements in effect at the time of their construction or whose exit facilities have not been increased in number of width in relation to any increase in occupant load due to alterations, additions or change in use or occupancy subsequent to the time of construction shall be considered substandard.
(2) Notwithstanding compliance with code requirements in effect at the time of their construction, buildings or portions thereof shall be considered substandard when the code official finds that an unsafe condition exists through an improper location of exits, a lack of an adequate number or width of exits, or when other conditions exist that are dangerous to human life. All escape windows will follow building code at the time of construction; if no codes were in effect, it will follow general construction practice at the time of construction.
(Ord. 2018-18, passed 2-28-2018; Ord. 2019-07, passed 6-11-2019) Penalty, see § 113.999