Storm Shutter Safety
The City of Greenacres and Greenacres Fire Rescue is urging homeowners to remove their storm shutters within 14 days of a named storm. Fire Chief Brian Fuller states the danger to potential occupants, and the firefighters, when responding to a structure fire with storm shutters in place is overwhelming. The City of Greenacres Property Maintenance Code says, “Hurricane protective devices on all buildings must be removed or opened no later than fourteen (14) days after the termination of the hurricane event (watch, warning, actual hurricane, or tornado) unless another hurricane event is predicted to occur within the fourteen (14) day period. “The aforementioned time period is one of the more reasonable time frames found within Palm Beach County”.
Here is the language from the State and Federal resources which we must follow:
Florida Building Code, Seventh Edition, 2020, 1010.1.4.6 Protection Devices for emergency escape and rescue openings. The temporary installation or closure of storm shutters, panels, and other approved hurricane protection devices shall be permitted on emergency escape and rescue openings and egress doors in group R occupancies during the threat of a storm. Such devices shall not be required to comply with the operational constraints of section 1030.4 or 1010.1.9. While such protection is provided, at least one means of escape from dwelling or dwelling unit shall be provided. The means of escape shall be within the first floor of the dwelling or dwelling unit and shall not be located within a garage without a side hinged.
Florida Fire Prevention Code, Seventh Edition, often mimics NFPA 1 and 101 and does so here by addressing means of egress, occupancy features, allow prompt escape of occupants from buildings, life safety is more than a matter of egress, additional safeguards to provide adequate egress time or protection for people exposed to fire.
NFPA 101, 7.5.2.3. Hurricane Protection Devices. The temporary installation or closure of storm shutters, panels, and other approved hurricane protection devices shall be permitted on emergency escape and rescue openings in residential occupancies during the threat of a storm. Such devices shall not be required to comply with the operational constraints of 7.2.1.5. While such protection is provided, at least one means of escape from each occupied unit shall be within the first floor of the unit and shall not be located within a garage.
- Eliminates secondary means of egress for occupants.
- Increases potential for Flashover and Backdraft conditions.
- Limits visibility for firefighters and building occupants.
- Increase in firefighter injuries during fire suppression.
- Difficult for firefighters to determine if the structure is occupied. Occupied means the structure is capable of persons occupying it.
- Many homeowners install them and remain in their home during the season enjoying the darkness and the reduced energy costs as they block out the sun.
- There is no clear way of knowing if the home or business is occupied when they are installed or closed.
- Law Enforcement suggests the shutters actually attract burglars to the home.
In closing, I ask all to view the following links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRWqcQFsGb4
