Making windows inoperable

[Ashful]

My township is making me put alarms on every "operable" window and door falling within the fence line of my swimming pool. This would make up only two doors (fine), but roughly a dozen windows (no bueno). Because we never actually open our windows or put screens in them, and because we have a total of 60 windows (48 of which would be unaffected), I'm thinking I'd be better off just making these 12 within the fence line non-operable.

Half of them are old 1775 construction, I'll fab up my own solution there, but the other half are ca.1995 Andersen 400 series. I've been hunting for a latch block-off plate, essentially a blank plate that replaces the latch assembly and prevents operation, but haven't come across anything. Has anyone ever seen anything like this, either Andersen or generic?

 

[Ashful]

Hah... just found a solution. Nevermind!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Painting them shut works surprisingly well in my experience. I haven't been able to open them without using a razor blade on the joint.

 

[stoveliker]

Yeah, but that might not convince the town inspector, however logical the solution was ...

 

[brenndatomu]

So put some of those cheapy stick on "proximity" sensor alarms on the windows/doors...you can buy a dozen for $20 on amazon...

 

[bogieb]

Hah... just found a solution. Nevermind!

How about mentioning the name, or inserting a link to the solution you found. Might help others who are looking for the same thing in the future.

 

[zrock]

hmmm what did you change that you had to get a inspection. Another option would be have motion sensors in the area. Alarm system online are pretty cheap and the door/window sensors are inexpensive and you can peal and stick them to any surface,

 

[blades]

i would like to see the specific ordinance- the air seems to be tainted. Are these window floor to ceiling types ?

 

[Ashful]

So put some of those cheapy stick on "proximity" sensor alarms on the windows/doors...you can buy a dozen for $20 on amazon...

Nope. They must be listed to UL 2017, which puts an $80 price tag on them. I honestly don't care about the cost, I just don't want big ugly boxes with wires hanging out of them all over my pretty windows and doors.

 

[Ashful]

hmmm what did you change that you had to get a inspection. Another option would be have motion sensors in the area. Alarm system online are pretty cheap and the door/window sensors are inexpensive and you can peal and stick them to any surface,

New pool, adding another patio... so permits were pulled.

 

[blades]

I do not understand for in operable windows by pool? commercial yes always see that, residential never head of it before

 

[Ashful]

I do not understand for in operable windows by pool? commercial yes always see that, residential never head of it before

yeah, pretty standard. All states/townships seem to follow the same code. Doors and any window having a sill less than 48" above floor must have an alarm. Alarm must have a bypass button which automatically resets to armed after several seconds. Alarm must continue to sound once door is opened, until reset is pressed. Alarm and/or reset must be located 54" above floor. All outlined in UL 2017. An entire industry of door and window alarms has grown up around this code.

So, my plan is to defeat all window latches by pinning them in the locked position. Hopefully that serves as converting the window from "operable" to "inoperable", in the eyes of the AHJ, as I've found no precedent or written guidelines on this.

Doors will get the official UL 2017 alarms, at least for inspection.

 

[zrock]

So the argument they may come up with on pinning the windows is that you can come after the inspection and put them back to stock...i will almost guarantee they are going to say the windows have to be permanently sealed somehow.... I have seen that before in other situations. I know up here if you have a locked fence around the yard/pool then you meet code..

The alarms now days are all wireless you can use a peal and stick sensor that is maybe 1 x1/4 inch and barley visible. I have had these on my home alarm system for probably 10 years and have yet to change the batteries in the sensor, even my alarm panel is wireless. 10 years ago the tech was pretty fresh and i paid about $1000 for the system and now could do the same for less than a 1/4 of the price and have it link to my phone..

 

[Ashful]

Yeah, I anticipate the same argument, zrock. At which I can legitimately answer that reversing those window latches will be very substantially more difficult than removing or disabling the alarms they'd otherwise require. It's worth a debate, at least I think.

 

[EbS-P]

When we moved in All the double hung windows were screwed closed. They had a nice counter bored hole and a screw that utilized a special square head security key that we found in the back of a random drawer. Windows were all painted closed too. Then there were the storm Windows that were installed backwards and could only be opened from the outside.

My point being some device that secures the windows closed and can not be operated by hand, I would think, would render the windows non operational.

Are you adding a pool heater?

 

[brenndatomu]

I guess I don't get it...what are they trying to prevent by securing the windows/doors...someone getting in your pool that shouldn't be there, or someone falling out a second story window into the pool? (I'd rather that than hit the ground!)
Sounds like the next thing they'll want is a full time security guard.

 

[EbS-P]

I guess I don't get it...what are they trying to prevent by securing the windows/doors...someone getting in your pool that shouldn't be there, or someone falling out a second story window into the pool? (I'd rather that than hit the ground!)
Sounds like the next thing they'll want is a full time security guard.

https://www.edgarsnyder.com/statistics/swimming-pool-statistics.html you really never want to have to hire these guys.

Drowning Facts | Drowning Prevention | CDC

Drowning Facts

www.cdc.gov

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, but is there a lock on the gate in the fence around the pool? Or an alarm?

Here there isn't. I thought code only requires a conscious "breach of perimeter" action to be needed. I.e. open the gate and go in when you know you should not. Or, in this case, open the window and climb thru.

A closed window is the same as a gate without lock and without alarm, imo?

 

[begreen]

Are they requiring guardrails on the roof too?

 

[brenndatomu]

Are they requiring guardrails on the roof too?

Only in college towns...