| The Home Inspection Newsletter |
Greetings!
It is good to be back in touch with you, sending you information about what we do in our home inspections, and sharing some practical advice every week or so.
If there is anything you would like to hear about, please shoot me an email or post a comment on our Facebook page.
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Is Your Basement Safe for Escape?
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Prior to 2004, if you had a bedroom in your basement, it was required to have a second form of egress from the basement. An escape window, Bilco door, or exit door if was a direct walk out from the basement.
After 2004, the building code was upgraded to include any finished basement finished after 2004 is required to have a second form of escape for fire safety. If a finished basement area was completed after 2004 without a building permit and no second form of escape, it represents a MAJOR DEFECT in a Building Structural Inspection.
The following are the specs for these escape requirements.
- WINDOW ESCAPE WINDOW BELOW GRADE:
- Window must be no higher than 44 inches off the sill height, minimum 36 inches wide, and opening of 9sq. ft. These openings must egress to on to a public area without obstruction.
- IF there is a bedroom in the finished basement, the escape window must be in the bedroom.
- ESCAPE DOORS:
- Standard 36x80 inch doors are acceptable and must open outward to a minimum of a 3 foot landing as wide as the 36 in. door.
- Metal insulated would be preferred.
If a client or prospect has a home that does not meet code, we recommend that it be brought up to code before going on the market.
Call me at (518) 577-7707 or send me an email if you have any questions, and for recommendations. |
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Know Someone Buying or Selling?
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Inspecting wiring and structural integrity is an important part of every home inspection.
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Help them safeguard their biggest investment.
I would appreciate your referral to clients, friends, and business associates for home structural inspections.
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