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

0

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