Photos courtesy Wausau Window and Wall Systems
The old: ICC/ANSI A117.1-2009
There are three types of dwelling or sleeping units of interest addressed in A117.1:
- Accessible units (most stringent);
- Type A units; and
- Type B units (least stringent).
All three cite Sections 308 and 309 of ICC/ANSI A117.1. Operating parts of windows must comply in Accessible and Type A units, unless otherwise specified by local AHJs. (Similarly, operating parts of windows need not comply in Type B units, unless otherwise specified.) As might be expected, Accessible and Type A units also ‘count’ as Type B units, since they meet more stringent requirements.
Surprisingly, requirements for operable parts of windows were first added to ANSI A117.1 in 1992, although a test method has never been referenced. Paragraph 309 of ICC/ANSI A117.1-2009 states:
309 Operable Parts
309.1 General. Operable parts required to be accessible shall comply with Section 309.
309.2 Clear Floor Space: A clear floor space complying with Section 305 shall be provided.
309.3 Height. Operable parts shall be placed within one or more of the reach ranges specified in Section 308.
309.4 Operation. Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5.0 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.
Lacking a scientific test method, in one situation, the design professional responsible for acceptance testing of accessible window units creatively used the end of a 30-mm (12-in.) ruler to operate windows. The window was deemed compliant if it was possible to unlock, open, close, and lock the window with the end of the ruler while seated.
Recognizing the need for a repeatable, reproducible, and uniform test method, AAMA formed a task group and developed AAMA 513-12 to fill the void, at least for CW and AW Performance Class windows.
AAMA 513 was updated in 2014 to encompass all window and door Performance Classes, as well as to address other specific requests of the ICC Consensus Committee on Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (i.e. ICC Accessibility Committee).
In addition to forces and motions, the designer and specifier must ensure operable windows are located and detailed in a way that meets the ‘reach’ limitations of ICC/ANSI A117.1. Different height requirements apply to obstructed and front reach. There are also physical limits on clearances and protrusions, as well as regarding approach area and threshold height (the latter for terrace doors and sliding glass doors).
It is important to remember building codes represent only minimum requirements. Even if not required, accessible operating windows may be a very desirable feature of the occupied spaces being designed, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the fresh air.
The new: IBC 2018
The International Code Council’s 2018 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) will parallel past versions’ requirements in that, as with its 2012 incarnation, it requires:
Where operable windows are provided in rooms that are required to be accessible in accordance with Sections 1107.5.1.1, 1107.5.2.1, 1107.5.3.1, 1107.5.4, 1107.6.1.1, 1107.6.2.1.1, 1107.6.2.2.1 and 1107.6.4.1, at least one window in each room shall be accessible and each required operable window shall be accessible.
