Second floor window, min. 24"

[RICHARD TAN]

WINDOW SILLS shall be the minimum height of 24" from finished floor when the opening is above a grade exceeds 72", second floor. 2005 FBC.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Richard,

Not sure if that is a question or a statement, or if you are referring to the 2004 FBC, Building, or 2004 FBC, Residential?

However, if that is a question, which would be about openings above grade, then this is applicable:

From the 2004 FBC, Residential w/2006 Revisions. (underlining and bold are mine)
- SECTION R312
- - GUARDS
- - - R312.1 Guards required.
- - - - Porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height. Open sides of stairs with a total rise of more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 34 inches (864 mm) in height measured vertically from the nosing of the treads.
- - - - Porches and decks which are enclosed with insect screening shall be provided with guards where the walking surface is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below.

Thus, windows with sills which are below 36 inches above the floor or walking surface, when the floor or grade below is more than 30 inches below the inside floor, "shall have guards not less than 36 inches" high above the higher floor or grade.

If the window is operable, the sill is below 36 inches above the floor, and the window is screened ... the screening does NOT count as a guard, meaning a guard at 36 inches above the floor would still be required.

If a window is not operable, then there is no "opening". thus the guard protection for "openings" above would not come into play. However, the hazardous locations for glazing *could* come into play if the glazing falls within the hazardous locations specified in R308.4.
- R308.4 Hazardous locations.
- - The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing:
- - - 1. Glazing in swinging doors except jalousies.
- - - 2. Glazing in fixed and sliding panels of sliding door assemblies and panels in sliding and bifold closet door assemblies.
- - - 3. Glazing in storm doors.
- - - 4. Glazing in all unframed swinging doors.
- - - 5. Glazing in doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs and showers. Glazing in any part of a building wall enclosing these compartments where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) measured vertically above any standing or walking surface.
- - - 6. Glazing, in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24-inch (610 mm) arc of the door in a closed position and whose bottom edge is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the floor or walking surface.
- - - 7. Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel, other than those locations described in Items 5 and 6 above, that meets all of the following conditions:
- - - - 7.1. Exposed area of an individual pane greater than 9 square feet (0.836 m2).
- - - - 7.2. Bottom edge less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.
- - - - 7.3. Top edge greater than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor.
- - - - 7.4. One or more walking surfaces within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of the glazing.
- - - 8. All glazing in railings regardless of an area or height above a walking surface. Included are structural baluster panels and nonstructural in-fill panels.
- - - 9. Glazing in walls and fences enclosing indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs and spas where the bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above a walking surface and within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the water’s edge. This shall apply to single glazing and all panes in multiple glazing.
- - - 10. Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings and ramps within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally of a walking surface when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the plane of the adjacent walking surface.
- - - 11. Glazing adjacent to stairways within 60 inches (1524 mm) horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway in any direction when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the nose of the tread.
- - Exception: The following products, materials and uses are exempt from the above hazardous locations:
- - - 1. Openings in doors through which a 3-inch (76 mm) sphere is unable to pass.
- - - 2. Decorative glass in Items 1, 6 or 7.
- - - 3. Glazing in Section R308.4, Item 6, when there is an intervening wall or other permanent barrier between the door and the glazing.
- - - 4. Glazing in Section R308.4, Item 6, in walls perpendicular to the plane of the door in a closed position or where access through the door is to a closet or storage area 3 feet (914 mm) or less in depth. Glazing in these applications shall comply with Section R308.4, Item 7.
- - - 5. Glazing in Section R308.4, Items 7 and 10, when a protective bar is installed on the accessible side(s) of the glazing 36 inches ± 2 inches (914 ± mm 51 mm) above the floor. The bar shall be capable of withstanding a horizontal load of 50 pounds per linear foot (74.5 kg/m) without contacting the glass and be a minimum of 1½ inches (38 mm) in height.
- - - 6. Outboard panes in insulating glass units and other multiple glazed panels in Section R308.4, Item 7, when the bottom edge of the glass is 25 feet (7620 mm) or more above grade, a roof, walking surface, or other horizontal [within 45 degrees (0.79 rad) of horizontal] surface adjacent to the glass exterior.
- - - 7. Louvered windows and jalousies complying with the requirements of Section R308.2.
- - - 8. Mirrors and other glass panels mounted or hung on a surface that provides a continuous backing support.
- - - 9. Safety glazing in Section R308.4, Items 10 and 11 is not required where:
- - - - 9.1. The side of a stairway, landing or ramp has a guardrail or handrail, including balusters or in-fill panels, complying with the provisions of Sections 1012 and 1607.7 of the Florida Building Code, Building; and
- - - - 9.2. The plane of the glass is greater than 18 inches (457 mm) from the railing.

Hope the above helps.

Codeman