Sliding patio door leads to nowhere

[prezac]

I am selling a townhome in MN. Buyer has a VA loan. We have a sliding patio door on the upper level that does not have a deck. The drop is approx. 12 ft. Buyer has asked for a safety gate be installed prior to appraisal. I get that, I would want something too. I just don't know what is acceptable. Seller is basically out of money so we need to do something relatively inexpensive yet be safe and pass the VA appraisal. Would have to be an interior install. Any thoughts on what we can do? Thanks in advance!

 

[Meandering]

Is the patio door in a 2nd floor bedroom?
and if it is, is there at least one other window in that room?

 

[spittman]

Not sure what VA specific guidelines are, but there was a post about this not long ago...

Second story patio door

I appraised a home where the owner installed patio doors in a second story bedroom which leads directly out to a roof top which does not have railings. They are selling the home and the seller does not want to install railings and the buyer claims they want to put up whatever type of railings...

appraisersforum.com

 

[prezac]

Thanks. I tried searching here before posting so that I wouldn't take up space but couldn't find anything. I will try searching again with different key words.

 

[KHS445]

Check with the local zoning department as to what is required and for any suggestions. Also if part of a HOA check to see what they require and/or allow. May be as simple as a couple of large screws placed so as to keep the door from opening, a couple of appropriate length pieces of wood screwed into the top and bottom tracks, to something similar to a deck rail. HD or Lowe’s generally sell prefabricate deck rails in 6‘ - 8’ links. Cut to size, paint and install. I would also check to see whether code/HOA allow or require the barrier to be inside or outside. Because of the height of the glass from the floor double check to see if code requires safety glass and if it does make sure the glass in the door meets code.

 

[Mr Rex]

Something like this or it could be made of wood.

 

[Brian Cooper]

In the bad old days when I was an insurance inspector I encountered scenarios similar to this very frequently. The general rule for insurance is that any door that is not at grade must have steps, or be secured in a way that it cannot be opened accidentally. A railing around the outside as seen in the prior post was the most typical. A double keyed lock with the key removed from the door was acceptable.

In your case, call the VA appraiser and ask what he will accept. Also check for HOA rules. You can call the county permiting and code enforcement department and ask what would be acceptable.

If I were the appraiser on this case, I would simply ask that one of the screw in security bars be installed and screwed shut. Something like this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gatehouse-28-in-to-48-in-Aluminum-Sliding-Patio-Door-Security-Bar/3407978

This is a semi-permanent install that could be removed if a deck or balcony is added in the future.

 

[RSW]

Is this a VA, FHA or USDA deal? If so, then there needs to be 2 means of egress. Is there a separate window or is the door the only way to the exterior?

 

[DTB]

Is this a VA, FHA or USDA deal? If so, then there needs to be 2 means of egress. Is there a separate window or is the door the only way to the exterior?

It's on the 2nd floor!

 

[RSW]

It's on the 2nd floor!

That did not answer my question.