Random Barricaded Windows in a mulit-level apartment building, with pictures

[JohnnyOV 2]

While I was in Savannah for St. Patty's day, I noticed that the building above the bars window's were barricaded randomly with plywood that looked to be permanently attached to the structure.

A couple things run through my mind about operations, and building codes dealing with this.

First, What would be the top priority of the arriving units if one of these rooms was on fire (lets say the building is occupied by residents in their apartments throughout the entire building). Removal of the board, or fire suppression. How would you go about doing either or. How would you deal with a mayday from a firefighter trapped in one of these rooms.

Also, are there any codes, up in NY, that prohibit or regulate how barricades are put up in windows?

edit: feel free to share any other tactics you see fit

Edited March 31, 2008 by EMSJunkie712

[Guest]

As far as the building codes go I am not sure.

I would deal with removing the boards as necessary. The problem I could see if crews fixating on the boards and not being conderned with life safety. What if the windows werent originally there? Then you would have a brick wall to deal with instead of plywood. Ill take the plywood anyday.

Depending on the make up of the interior of this building, those windows may not even be required by code. I would remove the plywood as needed and not just to remove it. This could cause serious problems with ventilation and movement of fire. If they are occupied apartments I would have a concern for the occupants not having secondary means of egress. Other than that I dont see them as that big of an issue based on as I stated above it there werent originally windows we would be dealing with a brick wall.

Edited March 31, 2008 by bhansensfd