Window Safety
description
Transcript of Window Safety
Window Safety
ICC Code Technology CommitteeSeptember 7, 2006Michael D. Fischer
WDMA Director of Codes & Regulatory Compliance
Window Performance Issues• Natural Lighting & Ventilation• Building Envelope Protection
– Structural, Air Infiltration, Water Penetration– Impact Resistance
• Energy Performance• Security • Safety Glazing/ Human Impact• Emergency Escape & Rescue• Insect Screening
Emergency Escape and Rescue
• Windows designated as required emergency escape and rescue openings must meet certain criteria:– Minimum opening area of 5.7sf (5.0sf grade level)– Minimum opening height of 24 inches– Minimum opening Width of 20 inches– Maximum sill height of 44 inches– Operational from inside without keys or tools
(or special knowledge) – Minimum Sill Height 24” above first floor
(2) 2x4 Plate (3”)
2x10 Header (9”)2”
24”
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With typical 1” installation
clearance, max. window frame height = 57”
Typical Double Hung / Single Hung Size Chart
Display Example:
3 Sizes Available
19 Egress Sizes
Available
Minimum is NOT Optimum
• R101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health and general welfare, through affordability, structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.
Child Window Fall Factors
• Inadequate supervision
• Furniture placement
• Urban, low-income housing
• Most serious injuries occur in 3-5 year age
• Non-accidental causes have been cited as significant contributing factor
Child Window Fall Data• 1993 CPSC annual estimate:
– 18 child fall deaths
– 4500 child fall injuries
• 2000 CPSC annual estimate:– 12 child fall deaths
• Boston study: – 83% decrease in child fall hospitalizations between 1993 to 1995
– No deaths during the same period
• New York City “Children Can’t Fly”: – 50% decrease in falls after educational and window guard programs
– 96% decrease in child fall hospitalizations
• National Center for Health Statistics:– Annual average reduction in child fall injuries between 1990-2000
Window Fall Safety Recommendations
• American Academy of Pediatrics:– Parental supervision– Screen labeling and window guard use– Operation of window from upper sash– Furniture placement
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention– Window guards in upper stories
Window Fall Safety Recommendations
• Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington:– Educational programs by physicians,
community service and school groups– Window guards
continued…
Window Fall Safety Recommendations
• Children’s Memorial Hospital Chicago, Office of Child Advocacy: – Education about insect screen– Furniture placement– Window operation– Window locks, opening limits– Window guards– Parental supervision
continued…
Window Fall Safety Recommendations
• Consumer Product Safety Commission:– Window guards– Window stops– Upper window sash operation– Furniture placement
• Kidsource:– Furniture placement– Window guards and locks, upper sash use– Parental supervision
continued…
Window Fall Safety Recommendations
• National Safety Council:– Parental awareness and proper supervision– Furniture placement– Limit window opening – Window guard use
• Oregon Health and Science University:– Furniture placement – Parental supervision
continued…
Oregon Health & Science University
Children’s Memorial Hospital
Children’s Memorial Hospital
Window Safety Efforts• 1972: New York City “Children Can’t Fly”• 1977: BOSTI/ CPSC Study “Performance Design for Safer
Windows”• 1985: Screen Manufacturers’ Association (SMA) “Kids Can’t Fly
Conference• 1980’s: CPSC “Protect Your Child”• 1987: National Safety Council “Humpty Dumpty”• 1992: SMA screen label format• 1992: Andersen Corporation “LookOut For Kids”• 1992: Window Safety Study Committee• 1994: CPSC Window Fall Safety Roundtable• 1997: Industry Educational Coalition• 1999: UL Study of Window Bars• 2000: ASTM Committee Formed• 2001: Istre Study
Building Code History• ICBO Commentary, 1991:
– “The very essence of the requirement for emergency escape windows is that a person must be able to effect escape or be rescued in a short period of time because in all probability the fire will have spread to the point where all other exit routes are blocked. Thus, time cannot be wasted to figure out means of opening rescue windows or obtaining egress through them. Thus, any impediment to escape or rescue caused by security devices, inadequate window size, difficult operating mechanisms, etc., is not permitted by the code.”
Screen Manufacturer’s Association
• SMA Warning Label Standards
• “Kids Can’t Fly Program
National Safety Council Window Safety Week
949
465
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100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1988-1990 1998-2000
Time Periods
Average Annual Fire Deaths For Ages 0-9
1988-1990
1998-2000
3816
2553
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
1988-1990 1998-2000
Time Periods
Average Annual Fire Deaths For All Ages
1988-1990
1998-2000
32.5
24
14.5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1980-1991 1992-1993 1994-2000
Time Periods
Average Annual Fall Deaths For Ages 0-9
1980-1991
1992-1993
1994-2000
Current Efforts
• National Safety Council Window Safety Task Force– Education, Communication
• Industry Window Safety Committee– Comprehensive Study Scope Complete
• Harborview CDC Pilot Study Plan– 2007-2009
• Minnesota Falls and Screen Performance
Denver, CO
Denver CH ER Visits 2-Year Aggregate
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Year 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
NSC Proposed Study
• Participants– NSC– NFPA– AAMA– WDMA– SMA– NAHB– Other Stakeholders
NSC Proposed Study Scope
• Child Window Falls– Updated injury data gathering– Contributing factors study– Child fall protection devices
• Emergency Escape and Rescue– Fire injury and death data– EER dimensions– Firefighter equipment and procedural issues
NSC Proposed Study Scope (cont.)
• Safety Glazing and Human Impact– CPCC, SGCC and GICC
• Impact Resistance and Security Glazing– GSA Training Protocols
• Window Coverings– WCSA
• Insect Screening– SMA labeling program
Required Expertise
• Human Factors
• Firefighter Procedures
• Architecture and Design
• Child Injury Specialization
• Product Design
• Injury Advocacy Groups
Invitee List
• CPSC• Kim Healy• Trauma Center Representatives• ICC• Home Safety Council• AIA• AIBD• OSFM• Industry Reps- Window Guards etc.• Code Officials and Individuals
Next Steps
• ICC CTC Options– Delegate Members to Participate In Outside
Study – Sponsor Study
• Develop Proprietary Scope • Adopt and Modify Existing Scope
• Funding– Window Industry Committed to Issue