Window Safety ICC Code Technology Committee September 7, 2006 Michael 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 Typical 8 ft. Ceiling 58 Max. R.O. Height Typical 82 Header Height Floor 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 Cant 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

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 Childrens 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

Childrens Memorial Hospital

Window Safety Efforts 1972: New York City Children Cant Fly 1977: BOSTI/ CPSC Study Performance Design for Safer Windows 1985: Screen Manufacturers Association (SMA) Kids Cant Fly Conference 1980s: 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 Manufacturers Association SMA Warning Label Standards Kids Cant Fly Program

National Safety Council Window Safety Week

Accidental Deaths Caused by Fire and Flames (Conflagfration (fire) in Private Dwelling) Deaths in the age group under 10 years decreased 51% Deaths in ALL age groups decreased 33%

Current Efforts National Safety Council Window Safety Task Force –Education, Communication Industry Window Safety Committee –Comprehensive Study Scope Complete Harborview CDC Pilot Study Plan – Minnesota Falls and Screen Performance

Denver, CO

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