Residential
Security Bars, Grills, Doors, Stairs,
Exiting, and Smoke Detectors
There
has been an increase in the number of window bars,
grills and security doors installed in
Daly City
. The installation of these bars and doors are a safety
concern to the Building Division and the Police and Fire
Departments.
Security
Bars, Grills and Grates
Bars
installed on bedroom windows may restrict the ability of
residents to escape from the building in an emergency.
Residents must be able to have a readily accessible
escape route in the case of an emergency.
The building code states:
bars, grills, grates, or similar devices may be
installed on emergency escape or rescue (bedroom)
windows or doors provided:
1.
The
devices are equipped with approved release mechanisms
which are openable from the inside without use of a key
or special knowledge or effort; and
2.
The
building is equipped with smoke detectors installed in
accordance with Section 907.2.10.1.2 of the 2007
California Building Code.
A
building permit is required to install security bars,
grills or grates.
Windows
in sleeping rooms are required by the building code.
Windows provide emergency exit, natural light and
ventilation. Bars
covering bedroom windows must be openable from the
inside without the use of a "key", special
knowledge or effort. The windows must have a minimum
open width of twenty inches (20"); the minimum open
height is twenty-four inches (24") and a total
minimum openable area of five-and-seven-tenths square
feet (5.7-sq. ft.). The use of bars covering windows
should not prevent emergency egress or the amount of
light that enters the room. The window for light must be
a minimum of 8% of the floor area.
Exiting
Requirements
Dwellings are required to have at least one exit
that has a continuous and unobstructed passage to the
outside. This exit includes doors, gates, ramps, and
stairways. Exit
doors must be the swing type, a minimum of thirty-six
inches (36") wide and six feet eight inches
(6'-8") tall. Gates
and security doors have the same requirements as doors.
There shall be a floor or landing on each side of
the door. Landings shall be level within one inch
(1") of the door threshold in multi-family
dwellings or the landing can be seven and three-quarter
inches (7 3/4")
lower than the doorsill in single-family dwellings
(Section 1008.1.4 Exc 3). The landing shall be at least
as wide as the door (36" minimum) and at least
thirty-six inches (36") in length. A door may not
swing over stairs or landing more than 1".
Stairs
Stairs are also part of the exiting system in most
homes in
Daly City
. The
maximum rise of a stair in single-family dwellings is
seven and three-quarter inches (7 ¾").
The minimum run is ten inches (10"). If
risers are solid and tread run is less than 11",
provide a 3" to 1¼" nosing. At least one side
of the stairs shall have a handrail.
Both ends of the handrail must return to the wall
or a newel post. The
top of the handrails and handrail extensions shall be
placed not less than thirty-four inches (34"), or
more than thirty-eight inches (38") above the
nosing of the treads and landings.
Handrails shall be continuous the full length of
the stairs. A break may occur at landings.
Smoke
Detectors
All residences should have a smoke detector
installed at a point centrally located outside each
bedroom or sleeping area.
Current building codes require a smoke detector be
installed in each sleeping room, in the hall leading to
the sleeping areas, and if there is more than one level
of living area, there should be a smoke detector on each
level.
In existing homes, smoke detectors can be battery
powered. In new construction, additions or remodels,
where electric power is available, the smoke detectors
must receive their primary power from the building
electrical system and be provided with battery backup.
Smoke detectors must be interconnected so that
when one sounds, they all sound.
Please call the Building Division at (650)
991-8061 if you need additional information.
ECD
CWmc021309
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