California/ Los Angeles: Roof Access

Started by JamesL8 • 4 replies • 1781 views

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JamesL8 (California)
Posts: 1

Posted:

Does anyone know if by law we need to keep roof access open to all homeowners?

We have been having issues where homeowners and guests are going on the roof to smoke and drink, so we wanted to lock the doors so only people with keys can get up the roof.

Thoughts? Thank you

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Check with the local fire Marshall.
They will know your local codes.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569

Posted:

most likely free/unobstructed access to the roof is a fire code NECESSITY

an alarmed 'panic bar' type of exit door would be code compliant

hard wired as opposed to battery operated alarm requiring a key to turn off 'horn' is recomended

DO NOT LOCK A FIRE EXIT --- "If in doubt, do not lock!"

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

Tim is right; check with your fire marshall, who probably conducts an annual inspection anyway. I don't know the codes.

But it depends: how many stories are in your building? Our 25 story condo bldg. and all of the high rises around us do not permit resident access to the roofs. Security, mgmt., our engineers have keys.

Some reasons: High rises often have a lot of equipment on their roofs, e.g., our cooling towers for our HVAC, a mechanical room; elevator rooms. The fire fighters' ladders only reach to the 6th floor. Helicopters would not be sent to rescue anyone on a roof.

There's a 4 story low rise nearby that does have roof top amenities, and some local hotels do too. I can't think of any above the 4th floor.

I can imagine the difficulty & expense in monitoring residents' partying on roofs--security; security cameras? janitorial, etc.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Many a young New Yorker lost their virginity...up on the roof...there is even a song about it. Would you deprive them of that experience?

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