Every habitable space shall have at least one door or window facing
outdoors for natural ventilation and illumination and for emergency egress
and access. Every window provided or used for light and ventilation for habitable
rooms shall be capable of being easily operable and secured in position by
window hardware.
A.
There shall be no solid obstructions closer than three
feet from the opening.
B.
Existing sash, vents or jalousies of smaller size are
acceptable if the dividing rails, bars or muntins can be readily broken out
by emergency personnel.
C.
If artificial light is not provided, the minimum glazed
area, clear or translucent, for doors or windows shall be 8% of the floor
area of the room.
D.
An interior room is exempt from the requirements of § 160-51C if the connecting door to an exterior room is openable and at least fifty-percent clear glazed.
E.
Bathroom, water closet compartments and food preparation area shall comply with ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as set forth in § 160-81, except that a window shall not be required in spaces equipped with a mechanical ventilation system that exhausts air to the outdoors at a rate of two cubic feet per minute for each square foot of floor area for commercial use and one cubic foot per minute per square foot of floor area for one- and two-family dwellings and does not recirculate it to any space, including the space from which such air is withdrawn.
F.
Windows in multiple-family dwelling structures shall
not serve as the primary means of egress to an outside stairway.
G.
Every habitable room on the first and second story of
all residential occupancies shall have at least one operable window or exterior
door for emergency egress or rescue. The units must be operable from the inside
to a full clear opening without the use of separate tools. Where windows are
provided as a means of egress or rescue, they shall have a sill height of
not more than 44 inches above the floor.
Every public hall and stairway in every multiple-family dwelling shall
be adequately lighted by natural or electric light at all times to provide
in all parts thereof at least 10 footcandles of light at the tread or floor
level, provided that public halls and stairways in structures containing not
more than two dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light
switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when
needed.
A.
Screens shall be required. Every door used for ventilation
opening directly from a dwelling unit to outside space shall have supplied
properly fitting screens. The screens shall be sixteen-mesh. Every window
or other device opening to outdoor space, used for ventilation, shall likewise
be supplied with screens. All screens on windows shall be stretched, fitted
and maintained without open rips or tears. Portable screens shall be acceptable.
B.
Exception. Upon the prior approval of the Code Official,
screens may not be required for exterior doors or other types of openings
which make screening impractical, such as openings equipped with air-conditioning
units. The Code Official may require alternatives to screens.
A.
General. All areas in a structure shall be provided sufficient
ventilation so as not to endanger health and safety.
(1)
When mechanical ventilation is provided instead of natural
ventilation, the mechanical ventilating system shall be maintained in operation
during the occupancy of the structure or portion of it.
(2)
When part of the air provided by a mechanical ventilation
system is recirculated, the portion or volume of air recirculated may not
be recirculated to a different habitable area.
B.
Clothes dryer venting systems shall be independent of
all other systems and shall be vented to the exterior of the structure.
