Is forced release of roller shutters on a window mandatory?

By the way:
Consistent would also be the green emergency route signage inside with nice night lighting ....

Hopefully no one from the EU is reading here. Otherwise, this will be included in the next parliamentary session as a new draft directive.

I have zero legal knowledge. But regarding the matter itself, I would definitely have a solution installed. Even if the shutter closing only takes 60 seconds, is that really that simple (?), unfortunately, in an emergency, those 60 seconds could be too long.

Hello Otus,

As far as I know, there are at least clarifications below the building regulations in Hamburg and Hessen (possibly also in other federal states with a “B”)?

The NRW State Building Code § 17 (3) says:

"For each unit of use, two escape routes must be available on every floor with a living room; the escape routes may lead through a common necessary corridor within a floor. The first escape route must lead via at least one necessary staircase in units of use that are not on ground level; the second escape route can be a place accessible by fire department rescue equipment or another necessary staircase. A second escape route is not required if rescue is possible via a securely accessible stairwell into which fire and smoke cannot penetrate (protected stairwell). Buildings whose second escape route leads via fire department rescue equipment and where the upper edge of the sills of necessary windows or other places intended for ladder access is more than 8 m above ground level may only be erected if the required rescue equipment is provided by the fire department."

and in § 40 (4):

"Openings in windows serving as escape routes must be at least 0.90 m x 1.20 m clear and be arranged no higher than 1.20 m above the finished floor level. If these openings are located in roof slopes or roof structures, their lower edge or a ledge in front, measured horizontally, must not be more than 1.20 m away from the eaves edge; from these windows, people must be able to signal to public traffic areas or to areas for the fire department."

I can explain from my job that any building application will not receive approval from the authority if the second escape route is not ensured via crank – if originally electric roller shutters are to be installed.

Edit: My son-in-law is a professional firefighter and recently informed me that the fire department would by no means forcibly open a roller shutter if there is time to enter the interior of the single-family house with as little damage as possible.

Rhineland greetings

Some follow-up questions come to mind. What is a common room? Just a living area or also a sleeping area? What about a party room in the basement, or generally underground common rooms without windows? If there’s a fire on the stairs, you’re lost. So why are basements even allowed?

With plastic roller shutters, you can get through in 2 seconds; no motor or crank is that fast.

We are currently in talks with a window manufacturer, I will inquire in that direction. Unlike in Hesse and Hamburg, it is not clearly defined for NRW.

I can explain from my job that any construction work will not receive approval from the authorities if the second escape route is not ensured via a crank - when originally electric roller shutters are to be installed.

Hello Bauexperte,

for NRW, the clarification "to make noticeable" sufficiently clarifies the (legal) situation.

However, building law is state law... and therefore varies.

In the Bavarian Building Code, one might tread more carefully - if one does not want to classify that under "opening windows" (as presumably the expert and building authority do), which, given the legally different implementation in each federal state but the uniform emergency situation in individual cases, is also objectively quite justifiable (or in one's own interest). And there is initially nothing about roller shutters and the like in the Bavarian Building Code itself (so probably the upcoming retort from the construction company, denying a defect). If the dear legislator of the Bavarian Building Code wanted that, it would have to be written there (but it is not) or clarified elsewhere (as far as I know from Lower Saxony, not here either).

It would also be nice if Ms. B. could please answer the questions posed.

Whose expert? Acceptance by the main contractor or subcontractor? Was acceptance granted?

As far as NRW is concerned: Just google "Stellungnahme MBWSV zu elektrischen Rollläden im zweiten Rettungsweg.pdf".

The experts are not in agreement whether it is strictly necessary based on the current Landesbauordnung NRW; however, in court it might turn out differently in a dispute, but the common practice of authorities demanding it can also be declared illegal.

Even in the leveled version of the Landesbauordnung NRW (1st reading was on 08.06.2016) nothing on the subject appears.

But I think the most important info is: "At least builders should be advised to take appropriate precautions in this regard to increase their own safety.