Hi,
This is a photo of the main egress of a single family dwelling in Palm Bay Florida. As you can see it is an out swing door, it measurements are 3.0’ x 6’8" . Notice that there is a step down at the door it is 4 " to the top of the threshold. This would be noted as not in the standard.
Joe Catania
JRC Home Services
Palm Bay Fl.
Hi ,
The 2 articles that I read were Aging in place and Elderly safety as these are both very important to know about here in Florida. First we all must be aware of the elderly as there needs change there homes must also change to meet these needs.
We must as inspectors be honest with our customers about safety as many elderly people move south to our warm climate, to point out possible dangers in the home.There are items that as a home shopper they may not notice such as highly polished tile in an entry way, it may look beautiful but on a rainy day it can be particularly dangerous to the elderly. or the need for a larger bath as to permit a person to maneuver if they are in a wheelchair, or even narrow doors that will not permit a wheelchair to enter.
This is all food for thought as we inspect homes for our elderly clients
Joe Catania
JRC Home Services
Palm Bay Fl…
Inspection & Writing Assignment Inspecting the Means of Egress
The attached photo is of the back door of the residence. Several issues were identified including no had rail, no landing area, and over sized step heights. In addition the bottom landing is unstable along with a slick painted surface on the steps. Recommendations to the customer was to have the corrected.
Reading & Writing Assignment Inspecting the Means of Egress
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Increasing Home Energy Efficiency
I found the interesting facts quite interesting, particularly the per capita Canadian homes more energy than the US. Another item that is interesting is the advent of LED lighting, it should have a significant effect in the near future. Overall is was a good article that pointed out different categories consumers should pay attention to when it come to energy conservation. -
House Numbers
This is a part of many homes that is forgotten until an emergency. It is good the article points out general regulations of most cities and how they are being enforced more now. Maybe in the future we can use GPS systems more to enhance the officials ability to react to emergencies.
Picture above is the front exterior door of the house. The entrance has a glass storm door that is of aluminum construction with tempered glass. The exterior door meets the 36” x 6’8” requirement, is solid and side hinged. The threshold is sloped and the deadbolt is not keyed on the inside.
rise of 4.5 in from the landing, with metal handrails
The article on Aero Gels is interesting in that this could be another option for energy saving building materials. As cost comes down i would expect to see this option become more of a reality.
For my inspection of Means of Egress, I uploaded a photo of a front porch with entry door. The hand rails and landing were water damaged. The hand rails were lose and not secure. The hand rails did comply with the minimum height requirement of 34 inches.
For the inspection and writing assignment I chose the following item:
![DSCN1574[1].jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/3/a/3a25abd84ecf1becb8df0d3937f40681b3368977.jpeg)
![DSCN1573[1].jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/f/e/fe9b2a32e1f74d2ae9b94c90d3605876b432628f.jpeg)
![DSCN1572[1].jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/a/1a4bac7ebf082c682a70f45ca45dd66fba57c35e.jpeg)
Egress door is 36" wide and has a greater than 36" landing immediately in front of the door with one step, less than 7-3/4". The exit lock is a thumb turn deadbolt. There door opens directly to the exterior of the home and there is a clear, unobstructed, paved path away from the home. The door opens easily and closes securely but without special effort or any difficulty.
This egress door has no noted defects.
For my reading and writing assignment I chose the following articles:
Emergency Preparedness: How Home Inspectors Can Help Their Clients
Good article and helpful in an area such as I live in Florida. I like details such as this that can allow me to have an “edge” on the competition and supply something other than just an inspection. I think handouts or preprinted packages to go with reports may be something for me to include
STAIRWAY INSPECTION
Good companion article to this course and reinforces what this course taught. Stairs are a major cause of injury and something that should be inspected and reported thoroughly, I like NACHI’s approach in informing clients of more than just code compliance issues
For my reading assignment I read attached Garage Fire Containment & Attic Pull Down Ladder. I found the tips for garage fire containment helped you give homeowner ideas how to seal up there house from the living area. Use light bulbs with the proper wattage, do not overload electrical outlets and tape down all cords and wires so that they are not twisted or accidentally yanked. In conclusion, attached garages should be sealed off from the living space so that fire may be contained.
I visually inspected the entrance of this home. The risers appear to all be similiar height approx seven and a half inches. The landings meet minimum square footage for safety, however the entire structure appears to be sloped to its center. At five percent slope this may create a tripping hazard. This should be examined and corrected by a qualified Individual.
Supports are constructed from pressure treated material however it unclear if there is any footing below them.
The guard opening is incorrect, The spindles are spaced to far apart and should be corrected.
The Ledger beneath appears to be only nailed into place and the joist hangers are undersized with missing nails/screws. This should be corrected by a qualified individual.
I read two article One called “Stairway Inspection” and the other called “Child proofing windows and stairs.”
I learned:
According to Internachi, in 2004 there were more deaths do to falls on stairs than drownings in pools and tubs combined for that year. Elderly people are at the highest risk for injury on stairs. However the handicapped and young children can be suseptable to injury on steps and stairs. It is important to always examine steps and stairs completely to ensure they are safe to use. Its a good idea to remind those that are going to use steps on a regular basis to be safe.
When child proofing stairways consider using chlid gates that are mechanically mounted at or near stairs. Remember to check openings at spidles and railings. Be Safe!
![DSCN1572[1].jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/6/1/61b89481042b44a6bd8a261e20386bec823e0d7f.jpeg)
A means of egress is the path available for a person
to leave a building, structure, or space. This route
must be unobstructed, and doors along this route
cannot be subject to locking from the side that people
will be leaving. This is a picture of my front door it works and is able to be used a a means of egress from the home.
This is a picture of an egress door that is 8ft in height and 3ft wide well within the requirements. Inside the door there is a keyed deadbolt witch is a safety hazard and should be reported in the inspection. The outside has a 7 1/2" step down witch is within the 7 3/4" requirement.
I read an article on stairway inspections. Stairs have been the cause off many accidents and deaths. Elderly, handicapped, and kids are at particular risk. There are many things to report on when inspecting stairs that could save someone from injury or even death. Sufficient lighting on a stairway, check for loose handrails, risers that are at uneven heights, sloped and steep steps just to name a few. I also read an article on child-proofing windows and stairs. Safety gates are important to have if you have kids and stairs. Also as the kids get older you need to have railings that are 34" to 38" tall with balustrades no more than 4 inches wide.
The attached pictures show both the interior and exterior of a front door used as a main egress. On the exterior side, the door does not swing over the landing and is well within the 7-3/4 in. requirement. On the interior side of the door, it is clear to see that the door dimensions also meet the requirement of at least 3 ft. wide and 6 ft. 8 in. tall.
