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St Anthony Fire Department <br /> Memo <br /> To: Mayor,Council and City Manager <br /> From: John Malenick, Fire Chief <br /> Date: September 9, 2005 <br /> Re: Egress Windows <br /> I have been asked by the Assistant City Manager to respond to the issue of egress windows <br /> as a life saving device. <br /> When properly placed and maintained, egress windows are, without a doubt, a valuable tool <br /> in the protection of human life. They are currently required in all new construction of all <br /> below grade dwellings and are required in any major renovation projects of below grade <br /> dwellings. Without egress windows, a single stairway is often the only means of entering and <br /> exiting the basement of many St. Anthony homes (one way in, one way out). This is a very <br /> potentially dangerous situation not only for the occupants put also for any emergency <br /> personnel required to mitigate a below grade problem. Should the sole means of egress <br /> become impassible due to fire or structural failure, there would be no other escape and time <br /> would become critical to life. <br /> Because of this, placement of an egress window is of great concern. To place the egress <br /> window in close proximity to the stairway would be impractical in the event a single small fire <br /> could block both means of escape. Ideally, the egress window would facilitate the most <br /> heavily used room in the basement and be remote from the stairway. They are also required <br /> in any below grade bedroom. <br /> It is my recommendation that the placement of an egress window be reviewed during the <br /> building permitting process by not only our building code official but also our Fire Marshall. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> John Malenick <br /> Fire Chief <br /> 0 Page 1 <br />