FHA/usda 2nd Floor Exterior Door No Stairs Or Deck

[Griffin]

Finished area over garage (accessible from inside the main house) has an exterior door that leads to the outside. The deck/stairs have been removed. If the door were opened someone could fall two floors to the ground. What is acceptable for securing this door so that no one could fall out? The door opens outward. Is a dead bolt installed that is only unlocked with a key enough to secure? I thought it may need a railing installed on the inside since the door opens outward.

I have called the county Building/code office and no one is in the office today to answer questions so I had to leave a voice mail for the inspector. I can not find any reference to such a thing via FHA handbook. It is a USDA loan so I am not sure that HUD office would discuss with me since there is not an FHA case number.

Thanks for any help/feed back.

 

[Howard Klahr]

Obviously it is a safty issue but rather than identify the specifics just conclude as a suject to repair/modification in accordance with applicable code requirements. Not really your call as to what specifically needs to be done unless you have documentation of that requirement.

 

[glenn walker]

QUOTE : If the door were opened someone could fall two floors to the ground.

For God's sake YOU DON'T need to call anyone *** Use common sense and be done. You do not need to stress about this *** The door needs to be removed and dry-walled in or an exterior stair case with safety rails installed. **** LET ME ASK YOU THIS ? IF A 1 to 5 YEAR OLD CHILD OPENED THIS DOOR AND STEPPED OUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN ? OR FOR THAT FACT IF ANYONE EVER OPENED THAT DOOR WHERE WOULD THEY END UP ?

PLEASE NO OFFENSE BECAUSE SOME ISSUES ARE OPEN TO DIFFERENT OPINIONS BUT THIS IS SCARY HOW DID YOU EVER EVEN GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL !!!

 

[glenn walker]

HOWARD NOT REALLY YOUR CALL *** A CHILD OR A PERSON OPENS A DOOR AND FALLS TWO STORIES ? I HAVE FINALLY ENTERED THE TWILIGHT ZONE .

 

[Howard Klahr]

Glenn, it is not the responsibility of the appraiser to engineer, design or otherwise outline the correction, only to call it out and indicate that it be done in accordance with applicable code.

 

[HF Mudd]

Conceivably, a handful of large nails could secure the door (wouldn't be my first choice). I'm with Howard in that I would not recommend a specific means of correction.

I would contact my client and discuss the situation before completing the report. I'd wager a box of donuts that a trip fee and cancelled order would be forthcoming from most lenders.

 

[CindyR]

Finished area over garage (accessible from inside the main house) has an exterior door that leads to the outside. The deck/stairs have been removed. If the door were opened someone could fall two floors to the ground. What is acceptable for securing this door so that no one could fall out? The door opens outward. Is a dead bolt installed that is only unlocked with a key enough to secure? I thought it may need a railing installed on the inside since the door opens outward.

I have called the county Building/code office and no one is in the office today to answer questions so I had to leave a voice mail for the inspector. I can not find any reference to such a thing via FHA handbook. It is a USDA loan so I am not sure that HUD office would discuss with me since there is not an FHA case number.

Thanks for any help/feed back.

Well, all things being equal, if the rest of the place was on fire and this was the only option I would rather jump out and break a couple ankles and wrists than burn to death...

There was actually a home in Black Canyon City built many years ago with a second floor sliding glass door to a 'hope to build someday' deck. I checked it out every time I drove by and they finally built the deck last year. Good thing I never had to appraise that one...

 

[glenn walker]

I am not one of those appraisers who calls out stupid issues *** But a door that opens and a person or worse a 1 to 10 year old child falls two stories is a serious safety problem ** If this is not one of the worst cases I have heard of then I really have entered the twilight zone and I have nothing else to say. As far as the statement about an engineer, to design or otherwise outline the correction. ** For Gods sake it does not take an engineer to fix this problem any handyman or a person with a 7th grade education could figure this out .

 

[glenn walker]

You don't need to jump out if there is a fire you just need stairs with a safety rail to access the lower level. This is not rocket science and a 1 to 10 year old could be killed dropping or opening a blind door with a two story fall. The cost is very minimal *** is this what we have become. STUPID

 

[Tom D]

big city here zoning says dead bolt, but not keyed from the inside. in case of fire all exists cannot be key operated from the inside only. how about a dead bolt at the top of the door to prevent the little child from getting to it. the other option permitted is a small balcony with railings.