Ontario Building Code Gurus Here?

[Crystal]

Hi boys. It’s very sad but it’s pretty much impossible to find any answers online and my designer already answered some questions and stopped picking up the phone..
There must be someone knowledgeable that can tell me if there is a mandatory minimum “sill” height” requirement for a “fixed” big window in the attic? Please reply or pm
Thank you
Xo

 

[whynot888]

Try bringing your question to the city or a building inspector?

 

[Crystal]

Try bringing your question to the city or a building inspector?

Will do. Just don’t want to bother him too often

 

[bazokajoe]

Will do. Just don’t want to bother him too often

They are their to answer questions like this.
Also double check if you need a permit since you will be cutting into the roof structure.

 

[Crystal]

They are their to answer questions like this.
Also double check if you need a permit since you will be cutting into the roof structure.

Yes I am submitting for permits. and the window sizes are supposed to be on the charts that I am submitting. They usually answer questions no problems but I just terrorized them with questions about the u factor for a week..
Besides it’s always nice to chat with someone like Mr Gr33k—“The Guru”. Thank you

 

[SchlongConery]

A fixed window in the attic would not require a minimum sill height.

The only time a window will have minimum or maximum requirements, is if it may be used as a potential emergency exit. In that case it'll have to be:

(a) is openable from the inside without the use of tools,

(b) provides an individual, unobstructed open portion having a minimum area of 0.35 m² with no dimension less than 380 mm, and

(c) maintains the required opening described in Clause (b) without the need for additional support.

(2) Except for basement areas, the window required in Sentence (1) shall have a maximum sill height of 1 000 mm above the floor.

The Ontario Building Code | Egress Windows or Doors for Bedrooms

This ^^^^Mr. Gr33k seems to be more than an expert on the back door!

I might make an educated guess that the Designer/contractor/builder/plans inspector has some concerns of someone possibly walking through the glass if it is too big and might appear to be a doorway.

And I have the funniest fucking story about the dangers of low sill windows! The story might be the GOAT!

So my dad told me that as a little boy growing up in a rural 2 story farmhouse in the old country that had an upper story window that had a low sill.

So one day one of the billy goats got into the house and started wandering around. My 8 year old dad followed it upstairs to bring him back outside. The goat was just casually checking shit out, looking around the rooms for anything to munch on or whatever. Then he came out of one room and into the hall where my dad was. But he didn't look to the left where my dad was at the top of the stairs. And instead looked to the right. And there, at the end of the hall was another fucking goat!

So this first billy goat drops his head slightly as he slowly walks down the hall towards the other goat.... typical Billy goat warning movements ensue. And the first goat was the biggest on the farm with the biggest horns! This tough ram had well earned respect as the Greatest of All Time Goat on the farm.

So he scuffed the floor a bit to warn off the interloper. But his opponent scuffed right back! A few back and forths showing intention to lock horns. Nobody is backing off and the fight's on ! The OG backs up and goes for the running head butt! KA thrash!!!.. And the OG GOAT goes flying directly out the low silled second story window! The other goat disappeared as if he was just a reflection the OG had seen of himself in the window glass!!!

 

[SchlongConery]

Yes I am submitting for permits. and the window sizes are supposed to be on the charts that I am submitting. They usually answer questions no problems but I just terrorized them with questions about the u factor for a week..
Besides it’s always nice to chat with someone like Mr Gr33k—“The Guru”. Thank you

So to keep the funny story aside from some advice on your upper floor low sill window.

You can specify tempered glass with one or two laminate films.

This assembly offers two types of protection and should address any discretionary safety concerns whomever needs to approve this of any goats being injured by fighting or just thinking it's a long hallway at night and walking into the reflection.

1. Like a sliding patio door, the tempered glass will shatter into little granules rather than big dangerous glass sharps that someone could get sliced open with.

2. The laminate film(s) (like a car windshield) will stop anyone from falling through the broken window and to the ground below.

Your window manufacturer can order this special glazing unit from their glass supplier.

This illustrates the concept. Although without the tempered glass spec'd. You'd temper the interior side where any possible contact with flesh might occur.