BCAB #987 - Bedroom Window, Article 9.7.1.3.

March 10, 1988

BCAB #987

Re: Bedroom Window, Article 9.7.1.3.

With reference to your letter of February 29, 1988, regarding the application of Article 9.7.1.3.

An earlier appeal, No. 970 dealt in some detail with the point raised, and a copy is attached for your information. To amplify the explanation in Appeal 970, Article 9.7.1.3. requires an unobstructed opening of not less than 380 mm in height and width, and 0.35 m2 in area.

Conformance with this requirement necessitates the provision of an effective passageway falling within these dimensions. The passageway is intended to allow a person to climb through, in the event of emergency. For this purpose we would not consider direction of exiting to be critical, and this passageway must comply with the unobstructed opening size requirements in the Article. We would also disagree with your concept of a log 380 mm in diameter and 6 feet long, being capable of passing through the opening. We could not assume the human body to be circular and in a rigid condition at the time of passage.

In essence we would expect the actual passageway to be generally rectangular, possibly even square. Two dimensions control the size, neither the height or the width can be less than 380 mm, and the area must not be less than 0.35 m2 (350,000 sq. mm) in area. This means that if one dimension is precisely 380 mm, then the other must be not less than 921 mm to stay within the area limit. Your appeal indicated a possible misconception in this regard.

J.C. Currie, Chair