I have done lots of other posts on the importance of having inspections done on new construction.
This post is another good example of how important these inspections are.
The problem had to do with the secondary escape and rescue from one of the bedrooms.
In older buildings there is some room for interpretation and my recommendations will reflect the age of the home. Jurisdictional requirements can vary as well. With new construction there is much less room for “interpretation.” If the installation is wrong—-it is wrong—end of story. Pretty much.
The protestations of the installation having been done to the “Architects specifications” or that the “Jurisdictional Building Inspector” signed off on it, would not change the fact that it is wrong—even if they have the final say.
The window in this installation had been installed 48 inches off the floor instead of the maximum 44 inches off the floor. Admittedly not a “huge” difference but that is not for me to decide. The requirement says 44 inches so that is what I have to go by.
Fixes can be as simple as installing a permanent step at the floor to reduce the height or as complicated as installing a bigger window. Another solution would be to “un-label” it a bedroom—-a solution not likely to go over well with anyone. Most likely nothing will be done and the next inspector will wonder how the previous inspector missed it 🙂
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Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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