Home Construction Help

reefwars · #1 12-04-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

These are the windows that need to be removed. On a side note if anyone is familiar with fire code I'd love some advice on how I could fight this and keep the windows. The problem is the side yard is 5cm too narrow so it doesn't meet fire code, in order to get a variance from the county we will have to remove the windows to prevent a fire from spreading to the next house as easily. I understand this issue but what I don't get is the house has a fire sprinkler system just as you would find in Condo buildings. Now condos and townhomes can be connected because they have these systems so why would 5cm make a difference in my case.

i gotta say thats a nice lonnnnnnnngggg tank wall ya got there in the second pictire

DiverDude · #2 12-04-2010, 09:41 PM

That house looks pretty new so I'd be asking some questions about who goofed on the surveying.

Regardless, I'd look into the possibility of an easement. There has to be a limit butfor the sake of 5cm, it seems extreme.

When my neighbor sold his house, the city forced him to re-survey it and it was determined that his fence wasn't quite straight and one end was something like 5 inches onto my property. Now I know this isn't a FIRE issue, but I granted him and easement for the fence and the problem was solved. Had I not done that though, he would have had to either pay me to give in or tear down the fence.

Did the house design show bedrooms in the basement ? A window is required for egress in basement bedrooms so you'd have even more ammo against the builder because you wouldn't be able to move the window because you'd need it for the bedroom.

Bottom line is that the window thing should be someone else's problem; not yours.

The Codfather · #3 12-04-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiverDude

That house looks pretty new so I'd be asking some questions about who goofed on the surveying.

Did the house design show bedrooms in the basement ? A window is required for egress in basement bedrooms so you'd have even more ammo against the builder because you wouldn't be able to move the window because you'd need it for the bedroom.

Bottom line is that the window thing should be someone else's problem; not yours.

My thoughts exactly.

howdy20012002 · #4 12-04-2010, 10:52 PM

i don't know how you should be responsible for moving the windows.
whoever built it had to pass code.
so I don't know how it is an issue now.
if it is a new house, the builder should definitely be responsible.
and if it has been around for a few years, the city passed the windows initially.. not sure how it can be a problem now.
as for doing the work yourself, take it from someone who just built his own house, don't try it unless you know what you are doing. in the long run it just ain't worth the hassle and will definitely hurt your bottom line when selling if not done right.
Neal

Borderjumper · #5 12-04-2010, 11:07 PM

The house next to you has to remove their windows too right? To protect YOU in the event of a fire??

StirCrazy · #6 12-04-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

The house next to you has to remove their windows too right? To protect YOU in the event of a fire??

nope the other people are probably the proper distance from the property line. the measurment isn't between houses but from the property line to the house.

Steve

Borderjumper · #7 12-04-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

nope the other people are probably the proper distance from the property line. the measurment isn't between houses but from the property line to the house.

Steve

Omg that's crazy. So two houses side by side, each have basement windows facing each other, but only one house is deem a danger in case of a fire?

sphelps · #8 12-06-2010, 02:35 PM

Anyone know if it's possible to buy 5cms off your neighbors lot? If this is possible it would sure solve all my problems right now

howdy20012002 · #9 12-06-2010, 04:46 PM

can you just set your windows back in the window well 5 more cms?
buying a couple of smaller winows would be way cheaper.

sphelps · #10 12-06-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

can you just set your windows back in the window well 5 more cms?
buying a couple of smaller winows would be way cheaper.

Nope, the problem really doesn't have anything to do with the windows, the actual house or foundation is 5cm too close to the properly line. The variance will allow the house to pass fire code if the windows are removed. The idea is that fire can spread to the house next door easier if windows are present. Removing the windows will delay the spread of a fire to the next house and make up for the 5cm screw up.
Smaller windows are also not an option, although smaller windows will result in lower amount of fire protrusion it still isn't enough to satisfy the variance. In addition the windows are already the minimum size required for bedrooms so making them smaller is the same as removing them for us since the idea is to have legal bedrooms.

Really it's all a bunch of BS in my mind, the fact is there is still over 3 meters between the two houses and the limit is 2.4 meters so realistically it's fine, however since it's based on the properly line and not the combined distance we're in trouble. Ideally it would be nice if we could just revise the two lots and have them resurveyed so my lot gains 5cm and the neighbors losses 5cm. The cost of this would be well worth while if it resulted in the windows being legal.