Women In Community Service Inc.

September 2002 Cold Weather and Burglar Bars

Dec 04, 2002

Important Information from the Houston Fire Department

The weather has cooled down and many of us have already turned on the heaters or lit the fireplace. It is a wonderful time of year to spend all cozy and warm by the fire with loved ones or just by yourself with cup of your favorite warm drink.

We must keep in mind though, that those warming fires in our home also mean an increased risk of accidental fires turning our lives upside down with loss of property and worse of all ?– loss of life. I want to speak particularly to those who have, or know someone who has BURGLAR BARS on their homes.

The HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT recommends these SAFETY TIPS FOR BURGLAR BARS.

Past and recent tragedies occurred when children and adults were trapped inside their homes. Unable to escape a fire because of burglar bars! The City of Houston Uniform Building Code regulates the installation and use of burglar bars. Consult the Code!

Bars, grilles or grates may be installed on windows or doors of residences if they meet the following requirements:

1.Must be able to open he burglar bars from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. A child should be able to open the burglar bar easily and get out.
2.Smoke detectors should be installed as follows ?–
?·If the bedrooms are on separate sides of the house or separated in any way, one smoke detector is required to protect each sleeping are or hallway.
?·One smoke detector is requited for each level of the house if the house is more than one story.
?·When bedrooms are upstairs, the smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling near the stairway.
?·If bedroom ceilings are more than 24 inches higher than the hallway ceiling, smoke detectors shall be installed in the bedrooms and in the hallway.
?·When signaling an alarm the smoke detectors must be heard from every bedroom.
?·Recommended locations for smoke detectors:
a.If installed on wall, place 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling]
If installed on the ceiling, place at least 4 inches from the wall.

The Recommended release mechanism for hinged burglar bars would be a single cylinder deadbolt lock with a thumb-forefinger turn lever on the inside cylinder or other quick release devices. If you have security concerns about an intruder reaching in and using the lever to come in, you could use expanded metal of a plate to hinder their reach.

REMEMBER ?– DO NOT INSTALL BARS, GRILLS OR GRATES OR ANY DEVICE ON WINDOWS OR DOORS USED FOR RESCUE OR ESCAPED ROUTES THAT CANNOT BE EASILY OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. IN A FIRE, YOUR LIFE WILL DEPEND ON IT!

WICS